Big Mountain Furniture Race

Festival Location: Whitefish, MT, USA

Festival State: Montana Festivals

Festival Type(s): Bizarre Sports Events, Winter Sports Events, Bizarre Festivals

By: © Nelson Taylor 2009

Leave it to a small, laid back bunch of snow-blind stoners to put a couch on a pair of old Rossis and ride that honker down the hill. That's what a couple of bored ski-patrolers did about 30 years ago. Little did they know then that their high-altitude antics would evolve into one of America's most original off-the-wall events.

Every April since 1970, the Whitefish ski resort has celebrated the end of the ski season with a big blowout that leaves living rooms all around the area a little bare. We're talking recliners, armoires, toilets, baby cribs, trash cans and even coffins affixed to either skis or snowboards. "The definition of furniture is obviously very loose," says Brian Schott, the Big Mountain spokesperson for event. "Some people even set up living room scenes where you'll have a couch, a side table, a Lazy Boy and a coffee table with beers and pizza box on it."

The rules? Well, there aren't too many. Every contestant, of which there are usually about 40, gets one run, must wear a helmet and must have a break on their craft that functions properly. Judges award points for appearance, speed and accuracy. This last one is where a good break comes in handy. At the end of the run is a target, and contestants are scored by how close they can stop without touching it. "You have individuals going for speed, but you also have groups like the local brewery that piles 20 people onto their contraption," Schott says.

The grand prize is a $500 leather recliner donated from a local furniture store. "What usually happens," Schott says, "is that at the end of the race, the party moves to Bier Stube, a local bar here in the village. A lot of the time the winner will auction off the recliner to the highest bidder and get the cash for it." But can just anyone race? Hell yes! Besides the hefty $50 entry fee, you just have to have a killer craft capable of sailing down the snowy mountain. But plan ahead, because word is that local hotels tired of getting cleaned out have started bolting their furniture to the floor.