A crisp, snowy winter day didn’t keep the skiers and riders from flocking to Sunlight Mountain Resort for the 34th annual Skiers Appreciation Day on Friday.
The 1980s costume contest proved to be one of the highlights to this year’s event, put on by United Way Battlement to the Bells and Sunlight.
More then a dozen contestants dressed in their best ’80s gear strutted their stuff to classic ’80s songs in front of a packed lodge Friday afternoon, as a winter storm moved over the White River National Forest.
Stacy Testerman, of Rifle, wowed the audience with her jean-jacket, pink leggings, converse shoes and inflatable boom box.
“I’m going to admit, I wasn’t even born in the ’80s,” Testerman said with a chuckle. “Inspiration definitely came from friends and family.”
Testerman said she felt fantastic after winning the contest and receiving a season pass for 2019-20.
Long-time skier Adriaan Vant Hoff, a Glenwood Springs resident originally from Holland, wore his favorite one-piece ski suit for this year’s competition.
He’s been coming to Skier Appreciation Day for 15 years and enters the contest every year.
“I like the skiing, friendliness, and it’s reasonably priced for everybody,” Vant Hoff said.
Friday was a big day on the slopes, for both UWBB and Sunlight.
“We had a great day today. About 1,200 people were scanned to get on the lift today,” Sunlight General Manager Tom Hays said.
“Just watching the people having fun, everyone was out here having a great time.”
Lift tickets were only $20, with all proceeds going to the United Way
“It was a fun day,” Hays added.