PHOTO AND STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

Payette River Company made it worth their while with the promise that “You get wet today and we’ll get you wet this summer,”

And, mindful that it was Easter, even a man dressed as Jesus took his turn in the annual season-ending Pond Skim on Dollar Mountain Sunday afternoon.

Hundreds of men, women and children took their turn under the sun dressed as polar bears, chickens, tuna fish and more.

Some just wanted to get across without sinking. Others sank on purpose, hoping to snag a whitewater rafting trip for the best crash as they postured in front of Sun Valley Ski Patrol Director Mike Lloyd, who gave the most spectacular crashes a thumbs-up from his lifeguard chair overlooking the pond.

A few snowboarders and skiers held GoPro cameras in front of themselves, capturing their own ride across the water. Others sailed out of the pond across the corn snow spraying the crowd with the slushy snow.

Aesthetically speaking, this pond was the prettiest the Sun Valley Ski Patrol has ever built, with white tarp stretched across the hole dug by a snow groomer creating a blue swimming pool look instead of the dark muddy look it’s had in the past.

Rubber mats dotting the bottom gave it a checkerboard effect.

But, aesthetics aside, it was still the same “Cold Bowl,” as it’s always been.

“Brrrrr. It’s cold!” said Austin Henderson, who skimmed the pond in a dark suit coat.

While the Pond Skim marked the end of the season for Dollar Mountain, Bald Mountain will be open through Sunday, April 15.