
The 85th Annual Slush Cup
There is a glorious event in the mountains of Alberta known as Slush Cup. For 85 years now, young daredevils arrive in ridiculous outfits and try to prove themselves in the ultimate arena… an ice-cold slush pond.
85 years ago the tradition of Slush Cup began with the staff. Every year when they began to close the Sunshine Village ski resort they would have to cross an ever-growing slush pool. As the creek that ran through the ski resort began to flow and the snow began to melt the challenge (and the pool) grew even bigger. It wasn’t long before the staff dared one another to try to jump it. Today, it’s pretty much the same idea. The last day of ski season marks the day of reckoning. Contestants register in long lines, dressed on a spectrum of comical to skimpy. All the while the staff fills a 12 ft. deep pool with ice water.
The idea is pretty simple. You try to ski or snowboard down the slope as quickly as you can and hope the get enough speed that when you hit the jump you clear most of the slush pool. You then water ski across what’s left.
Or you don’t.
“Don’t” isn’t as much fun.
Anyone with a love for cold and a commitment to the extreme can enter. The Sunshine Village resort is just outside of Banff and has great skiing when it’s not hosting the Slush Cup.
If you want to see more of Slush Cup and Banff you should check out our videos on the whole ordeal on our Expedia Viewfinder Page.
They do something similar at the end of ski season at Stevens outside of Seattle. I am not sure I am a good enough skier to attempt!
That looks pretty awesome! and extreme and extremely cold! >.<
Okay, the Slush Cup looks AWESOME! Totally something I’d want to see. Not sure I’d be coordinated enough to actually take part, but it looks like a fun event to watch.
I think half the fun is hitting the water!
Fun times! I so can’t wait for an opportunity to go back, winter was gorgeous but spring/summer looks beautiful! As always, love your videos. 🙂
Thanks Cat, we aim to please. Sometimes we hit the mark. ; )
That looks so so cool! I’m in! 🙂