Bikini-Clad Skiers to Race for Free Ikon Pass at Crystal Mountain, WA

Swimsuits aside, this isn't your usual race. Instead, competitors will earn up to ten points in three categories—style, speed, and the volume of the liquid in their stein at the end of their run—making 30 the highest possible score.
 
You read that correctly. This year, not only do competitors have to focus on executing a fast and stylish run, but they'll also need to avoid spilling liquid from the stein they're carrying, adding another strategic wrinkle.
 
The winners of each category—men's and women's snowboard; men's and women's ski—will be awarded a 2025-2026 Ikon Pass, so don't be surprised if the competition is fierce. 

The race venue will be accessible by Gold Hills, a lift near Crystal Mountain's base area. Afterwards, awards and live music will be hosted at 3 p.m.

Tickets for the 2025 Bikini Downhill cost $50 and benefit the Crystal Mountain Fire Department. All ages can spectate, but you'll need to be 21 or older to participate in the competition.

To sign up, click here.

Any Pacific Northwest skier knows that April doesn't always deliver warm and balmy conditions. Snowstorms, heavy rain, the occasional burst of sun—this time of year, meteorological uncertainty is the only thing that's guaranteed, and when you're wearing a swimsuit, you're exposed to the elements more than usual.

That's part of the fun, though. Braving a blizzard with just your drawers on is nothing if not memorable. Plus, the Bikini Downhill racers may actually enjoy favorable weather come Saturday. Per the National Weather Service, partly sunny conditions with highs above freezing are expected, so don't leave the sunscreen at home.

The Bikini Downhill has an "end of season" vibe to it, but the event won't mark the final day of lift operations for Crystal Mountain. Instead, the ski area will remain open for skiing and riding through Memorial Day 2025, with April 20 marking the final day of seven-day-a-week operations.