Season closes with a splash at P.E.I.'s ski hill with annual Aquaneige tradition

Skiers and snowboarders ended their season in style Saturday at Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park in Brookvale, P.E.I.

It was the annual Aquaneige event, the final day tradition at the park that sees contestants try to do something that doesn't come naturally for those who enjoy snow sports — float. 

Staff at the park, home to the Island's only ski hill, dig a hole in the snow that is about 70 feet by 20 feet (or about six metres by 21 metres) and fill it with crystal blue water. 

Then, participants start partway up the slope and try to ski or board across the pool, to often mixed but entertaining results. 

"Coming down, you start feeling nervous and then you just gotta send it," said Bobby Burns. 

"I wiped out terribly. It's freezing in there. There's some ice chunks."

Others had some beginner's luck. 

Jean-Luc Duguay was participating in Aquaneige for the first time, and he made it all the way across the pond without going for a dip. 

"Whether you make it across or not, everybody's getting cheers, so it's just nice to have that energy," he said. 

"Sending it off this way is a nice way to go out with a bang — or a splash." 

Both the participants and the crowd of spectators who came to watch the shenanigans were having fun on a beautifully sunny day in Brookvale. 

There were also lots of colourful costumes, like Yassine Elbahh, who rode atop his snowboard dressed as the comic book character The Flash. 

The jury is still out on whether it gave his board any improved aerodynamic qualities. 

"It's a great way to start the spring off," he said. It's kind of sad that the season's ending but we had a great season here this year, so can't ask for much more." 

Indeed, it was all a pleasant distraction from the fact that skiers and staff will have to wait another several months before getting back to the hill again, said Erin Curley, the park's operations lead.

"Everyone loves it, it's a great event, it's a great way to end the season," she said. "It is very bittersweet. We love what we do and we would do it all year round if we could."