Everyone at Brundage Mountain gets really excited in the days leading up to Crazy Daze.

We’re thinking about our costumes, getting things in order for a myriad of events, and most of all, watching the pond take shape!

We’ve been doing the Costume Contest, Poker Run and Treasure Hunt for years. Newer events include our Rail Jam and Kid’s Pinata Party. But at the center of it all is POND SKIMMING.

Here’s a look the whole weekend’s events, and here’s a look at what goes in to making our marquis event happen:

It takes a combination of man power and horsepower to build the pond.

First, a snow cat pushes snow up into a giant pile.

Then, the center is hollowed out…

And packed down.

Our pond engineers use surveying equipment to make sure it’s all level and will hold water.

Then, our crews straighten up the walls with shovels.

By Friday morning, it looks like this:

Next, we’ll put in the liner…smooth out the rough spots…and start filling it with water.

And by this time tomorrow, this lump of snow will be the center of our most spectacular event of the season!

One of the best things about Pond Skimming is that it’s a ‘pedestrian’ event. If the weather is nasty, you can watch it from the base area near the shelter of the lodge, or even catch the action from one of our covered balconies!

– April