Skim a little off the top: Pond Skimming at Saddleback

Spring lures the green back to the trees and warmth back to the breeze. It also chases away the snow and, with it, the season's snowboarders and skiers.

It's not easy to ski on melted winter.

But then, that doesn't stop some skiers from trying.

Up at Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley on April 3, skiers and snowboarders will test the balance they spent all winter honing. Only instead of skimming the top layer of mountain snow, they'll skim across a shallow pond situated next to the base lodge.

During the 7th Annual Pond Skimming event, skiers and snowboarders attempt to sail across the water - from one snowy end to the other - without sinking in the middle. Gaining speed in advance helps. As does a little luck.

"Some people make it," said Sharon Thompson of Saddleback Maine.

Some, on the other hand, sink to their knees in the water. And some perform the rarely seen "water-induced yard sale." Those who need it are helped out by the ski patrol, who are on hand to keep things safe.

Boarders and skiers gifted enough to make it across are greatly rewarded - with a sense of accomplishment. There aren't any prizes for making it to the other size dry and upright, Thompson said. But the feeling of personal achievement - it's its own trophy.

[Photos courtesy Saddleback Maine-Gary Pearl]

The pond skimming begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 3; registration from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It's free to watch and attempt. And who knows, maybe the idea of skiing on water will catch on. It seems odd, I know, but I usually have a good instinct about these things.