Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre Dorset UK
Annual event · DATE TBC
Pond SkimSplash!
The maddest, wettest, most ridiculous day on the slope. Ski or board straight down our All-weather Proslope and try to skim clean across a freezing pond, dressed in the loudest tropical fancy dress you can pull together.
DATE TBC Spectating is free
Fancy dress All ages Skis or board One day only
What on earth is it?
Ski. Skim. Sink.
Picture it: you point your skis or board down the slope, pick up speed, and hit a man-made pond at the bottom. If you carry enough speed you skim straight across the water like a legend. If you do not, you sink in spectacular, soaking, gloriously public fashion. Either way the crowd goes wild.
It is daft. It is wet. It is the most fun you will have on snow all summer, and absolutely everyone, from first-timers to seasoned racers, is welcome to throw themselves at it.
SkiSkimSplash
Genuinely one of a kind
Nowhere else
in the UK.
in the UK.
We are one of the only facilities in the entire country that runs a Pond Skim, year after year. If you want to ski into a pond in a Hawaiian shirt this summer, this is pretty much the only place to do it.
How it goes down
Four steps to glory.
Step 01
Dress wild
Floral shirt, big shades, floppy hat. The louder and more tropical, the better. Spectators dress up too.
Step 02
Drop in
Point it down the slope and build up every bit of speed you can. This is not the moment to be shy.
Step 03
Skim the pond
Hit the water flat and fast and glide across. Hold your nerve and you might just stay dry.
Step 04
Make a splash
Cross it and you are a hero. Sink and you are a legend. There are no losers at the Pond Skim.
More than a skim
A full-blown beach party.
The Sip & Dip
Our pond-side outdoor bar serving cocktails, mocktails and ice-cold drinks. Skim the pond and grab a drink in the same spot. Stay hydrated, drink responsibly.
BBQ on the deck
Fuel the shred with proper BBQ. British beef burgers, hot dogs and veggie options sizzling all afternoon.
Pumping tunes
A soundtrack to match the madness, keeping the energy high from the first run to the last splash.
Free swag
Randomly selected lucky skimmers walk away with free goodies. Be there, be loud, get lucky.
Inflatables
Bouncy, splashy extras dotted around to keep the little ones (and the big ones) entertained all day.
Family vibes
Bring everyone. It is a proper community day where skiers and boarders of every age come together for the fun of it.
Dress code (very encouraged)
Tropical, or bust.
We are locking in full tropical island vibes. Think 80s pastel beachwear, bright retro ski gear, the most outrageous floral shirts, oversized shades and floppy hats you can find. It does not matter if you are skimming the pond or just here for the show, we want to see your best tropical fit.
Watch the mayhem
Previous Pond Skim-mery, in all its soggy glory.
The wall of fame
Costumes, carnage & cannonballs.
Can I have a go?
Yes. Almost certainly.
To take part
You just need to be at Recreational Snowtrax Standard, comfortable sliding down the slope and stopping on your own. If you can do a lesson run, you can do the Pond Skim.
Check the ski standardCheck the snowboard standard
Just here to watch?
Spectating is completely free. Rock up in your best tropical gear, grab a drink at the Sip & Dip and a burger off the BBQ, and enjoy the water-soaked mayhem from a safe, dry distance.
Tickets & times on the booking pageThe Snowtrax events crew
More big days on the slope.
You are here
Freestyle competitionPond Skim
Ski or board across a pond in fancy dress. The wettest party of the year.
DATE TBCPark Jam
Our freestyle throwdown. Rails, kickers and tricks, judged in front of the crowd.
View event Age 40+ slalomMasters Slalom
A ski slalom race day for the 40-and-over crew. Gates, stopwatches and bragging rights.
View eventQuestions
Pond Skim FAQs.
Nope, you just need to be at Recreational Snowtrax Standard, which means comfortable sliding down the slope and stopping on your own. If you can do that, you can have a crack at the pond.
You'll need to use your own skis, snowboards, bindings and boots for your adventure across the pond!
The wildest tropical fancy dress you can find, over clothing you do not mind getting soaked. Floral shirts, big shades and floppy hats are very much encouraged. Bring a towel and a full change of dry clothes too.
Quite possibly, and that is half the fun. Skim across cleanly and you might stay dry, but most people end up in the pond at some point. It is cold, it is hilarious, and the crowd loves it.
Entry prices and timings are all on the booking page, where you can also grab your spot. Spectating is free, so you can come and soak up the atmosphere without booking a thing.
Yes. The Pond Skim is for all ages, as long as they are at Recreational Snowtrax Standard. It is a proper family day, and younger skimmers in fancy dress always steal the show.
Yes, places to take part are booked in advance and they go fast every year, so do not leave it late. Book online through the booking system or call the team on 01202 499155.
Then you become an instant Pond Skim legend. The pond is shallow and fully supervised by our team, so you sink, you laugh, you climb out to a big cheer and you go again.
None at all — the taster is made for complete beginners.
Still got a question? The team’s on the slope 7 days a week. 01202 499155
Don't miss
the splash.
Spots go fast every year. Grab yours, dig out the loudest shirt you own, and we will see you at the pond.