The Cushing Crossing at Palisades Tahoe

The 35th annual Cushing Crossing is set for Sunday, May 2, 2027, from 1-3 p.m. at Cushing Pond at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley. Palisades runs this spring pond skim, where skiers and riders, most of them in costume, try to make it across the water in front of celebrity judges and two emcees, with awards right after.

What the Cushing Crossing Is Like

The Cushing Crossing has been a Palisades spring ritual for more than three decades, and it is widely considered the granddaddy of all pond skims. Cushing Pond sits near the base of KT-22, and on event day spectators crowd its edge in their wildest spring outfits to watch competitors drop in, pick up speed and hit the water. Some racers skim cleanly to the far side, while others sink in a spray of water to the loudest cheers of the afternoon, and for the crowd, the splashes are half the fun. Costumes are highly encouraged and the whole thing stays family-friendly, which gives it a goofy, end-of-season party feel. Palisades promises big sends, bigger splashes and plenty of laughs, and with the emcees working the crowd and judges scoring every run, it feels like the whole valley showed up to celebrate spring.

Event Highlights

Competitors race in five categories: Men's Ski, Men's Snowboard, Women's Ski, Women's Snowboard and Unlimited, which is for non-standard contraptions of skiing or snowboarding origin. Each run can earn up to 25 points for creativity and style and 25 points for a successful crossing. Everyone gets two runs, the highest combined score wins and ties are settled with a second-run ski-off. Category winners take home prizes from the event's outdoor brand partners, handed out at the pond as soon as the last run wraps up.

Cost and What to Bring

Watching has been free in past years. In years past, Palisades suggested spectators bring a chair, sun protection and water for a spring afternoon on the snow. To compete, you must be 18 or older and register in person, and no one can sign up on another racer's behalf. In recent years registration was first come, first served, cash only and held in person, but 2027 times, location and fees haven't been posted yet. Approved helmets and flotation devices are mandatory. Your apparatus has to be of winter sports origin and something you can control, and if you enter as a group, everyone rides the same apparatus. No pyrotechnics, open flame, profanity or inappropriate costumes are allowed.

Parking and Getting There

Palisades lists the event at 1960 Olympic Valley Road in Olympic Valley. May 2 isn't on Palisades' 2026-27 list of parking reservation dates, which runs through April 11, but it is worth checking parkpalisadestahoe.com before you go. If you are staying in Olympic Valley, the free on-demand Mountaineer shuttle is an easy way to get to the base without moving your car.

Find rules and updates on the Cushing Crossing page.