Spring Fling fun at Phoenix Ski Hill
By Erin Perkins
Despite the treacherous road conditions, several hundred skiers had a ball at the Phoenix Ski Hill's end of the season celebration, Spring Fling and Dummy Downhill, Sunday, April 1.
Seven dummies -- a lot fewer than in previous years -- were entered in the downhill race which involved a jump to the finish. Among them was Dumbo's Flight entered by the Currie family of Grand Forks. Dumbo's Flight took home the People's Choice award and the Best Jump.
"This was our first year," said Dan Currie. "We always wanted to and we thought this year it would be fun ... Dumbo flying seemed appropriate, especially because the kids helped make it."
Besides the skiing elephant, there was an Imperial Star Destroyer, which, after the official race, made a few more trips down the hill ending in a small disaster when it left the course and sailed into the T-Bar tow line-up, knocking down a child who was unharmed by the incident. The destroyer, entered by Ryan Keith, deservedly won the award for Best Crash. The Best Looking award went to Wine'er and Dine'er, featuring a dressed up couple entered by Phoenix Mountain staff Dave and Shimmer.
Other notable entries included St. Elmo's Fire, with lit flares and Snow Clone which included a Star Wars mask riding a car seat strapped to a pair of skis. Snow Clone proved just how safe car seats can be with several safe flights off the jump and safe landings.
Each dummy was judged on their looks, the quality of their crash and the jump. Not all the dummies made it to the jump the first time, but those that did made it in style much to the crowd's delight. If there hadn't been snow, the event was more like a beach party, with live entertainment by the Dave's Not Here band, a barbeque and beach chairs set up to view the race.
Please click photo to enlarge.
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