LUDLOW, Vermont — Despite cloudy skies and cool temperatures, Okemo Mountain Resort’s springtime celebration weekend offered a party atmosphere with fun events, live music and an outdoor barbecue. As usual, the annual Slush Cup pond skimming competition made a big splash but it was the debut of the Harpoon Brewery Cardboard Box Race that stole the show.

Teams of costumed sled riders raced in timed trials on a snowy slope at Okemo’s “Jackson Gore International Speedway.” Decorated sleds made only of cardboard and duct tape were judged on construction and artistic expression, with costumes factoring into final scores. There were also awards presented for the fastest sled and best self destruction of a sled while on course.

The Best Cardboard Box Destruction award went to The USS Snowkemo, operated by Dennis O’Leary, Helen O’Leary and Corey Pronsky, of Long Island, N.Y.

The Fastest Cardboard Box award went to The Power Puff Girls: Lauren Birbarie, Mary Kate Visnic and Emily Visnic, of Branford, Conn.

The Best Artistic Design award went to Team 850. This entry created under top-secret conditions by Okemo’s own Building Maintenance department was raced by team riders Roy Larsen, Kevin Bixby and Brock Dwinell.

Okemo is scheduled to remain open for the season through April 20. More information may be obtained by calling (802) 228-1600 or by visiting okemo.com.