Après ski is a unifying force. Social activities at the end of an epic day of skiing and snowboarding has the kind of bonding power. People gather to catch up. They share stories and show pictures of their day while refueling over frosty beers and delicious food. There are nothing but smiles, smiles that are only enhanced by the addition of the ultimate friend maker… the shotski.
The origin of the shotski is unknown – though some say it began in Norway where skis were invented, while others say it was invented in Austria, where it’s known as the schnappski. One source almost tracked down its origins with the University of British Columbia’s ski steam. But whoever first had the brilliant idea of strapping a few shot glasses to a ski in order to elevate post pow shenanigans, deserves a statue.
No ski accessory is more responsible for forging bonds and creating stories than the shot ski. Drinking in unison makes friends and never has this been more evident than this past Saturday where enthusiastic après skiers took to the streets of Park City, Utah and set a new world’s longest shot ski record.
The fourth annual Park City Shot Ski Event presented by High West Whiskey and the Park City Sunrise Rotary Club played host to a record-breaking 1,310 shot takers who stood side by side and simultaneously lifted and drank from 2,610 skis bolted end to end. The result, a taste of that delicious High West Whiskey and a new record, breaking the previous mark of 1,299 held by their friendly rival, the town of Breckenridge.
“We love watching this event grow year after year, thanks to the Park City community’s immense generosity – and love of High West whiskey,” said Park City Sunrise Rotary Club member Connie Nelson.
So much so, that the Rotary Club uses it as an opportunity to raise funds for their grant program that serves over 20 community programs. Seeing their own record of $29,474.57 fall was exciting for them as well. “Our $40,000 fundraising goal was an ambitious one, and we look forward to seeing these funds hard at work in our community soon,” said Nelson.
The Park City Shot Ski Event is all about community. A shot ski has an almost mystical power to bring people together. Friends, acquaintances, strangers, it doesn’t matter. Tipping that ski back and drinking from it makes everyone friends in the end – all 1,310 of them.
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