Slush Cup: Alyeska Resort ending the season with a splash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alyeska Resort is splashing into its last ski weekend of the year with its 48th annual Spring Carnival.

This year’s carnival will again include the legendary Alaska Airlines Slush Cup, during which 50 people will attempt to make it over an approximately 80-foot-long by 40-foot-wide pond at the base of the mountain.

“Our park and event crew is out in full swing right now,” Arab Ginnett, the director of events and partnerships, said. “They’ve done grooming for the last couple of nights, and they are just making the finishing touches, making sure that it’s dug deep enough. And it’s a very solid foundation.”

Due to the lack of snow this year, Ginnett said the resort began collecting and putting aside snow for the event in March.

“We had to make some slight tweaks on the overall pond, but generally now we are just excited to welcome everybody and still be able to have it this year,” said Ginnett. “This is a labor of love.”

During the Slush Cup, Ginnett said, Girdwood more than doubles in size. Last year, she said, the event had around 8,000 spectators and she is hoping to see similar numbers this year.

The resort recommends that people carpool or use the commuter bus that will travel from Anchorage to Girdwood. The bus departs from the Dimond Center in Anchorage at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and will depart Girdwood at 6:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. People can book their tickets online now.

In addition, the resort reminds people not to block fire hydrants and people’s driveways, and to not drink and drive.

The Slush Cup starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The resort’s carnival will also have its “Idiot Swim” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and vendors will open at noon. On Sunday, to wrap up the last day of the season, the resort will have a family fun day, including free dog mushing and the Alaskan gladiator games.

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