Crown Restored: Park City Reclaims the World Shot Ski Title in High-Spirited Mountain Feud

On a brisk autumn afternoon in the heart of the Wasatch Range, historic Main Street became a stage for alpine revelry, tactical community organizing, and a precisely timed gulp of rye whiskey.

1,430 participants stood shoulder-to-shoulder along Park City’s historic drag, lifting 550 custom-connected skis in unison to reclaim the world record for the World’s Longest Shot Ski. The feat narrowly edged out the previous official record held by rival resort town Breckenridge, Colorado, by a margin of just 10 drinkers.

Storms, Snow, and Whiskey

The event, hosted by the Park City Sunrise Rotary Club in partnership with local favorite High West Distillery, marked the 10th anniversary of Park City entering the shot ski arena.

Success was far from guaranteed. Hours before the scheduled 2:00 p.m. attempt, dark skies and heavy weather courtesy of the remnants of Hurricane Rachel swept through Utah’s high country. While the storm delivered a dusting of early-season snow to the higher elevations, rain threatened to drench the crowd on Main Street.

Just before mid-day, the storm broke. As the sky cleared over Historic Main Street, 1,430 ticketed revelers (each verified 21 or older) took their places. At precisely 2:00 p.m., after a synchronized countdown, participants tipped back shot glasses filled with High West Double Rye whiskey—or local apple cider for non-drinkers—setting a new benchmark in ski town lore.

The Great Intermountain Feud: Utah vs. Colorado

The shot ski title has become one of winter sports’ most delightfully petty rivalries. Since 2016, the crown has ping-ponged back and forth across state lines nearly every single year.

• First Official Benchmark, 2013 Breckenridge sets the initial standard at its annual Ullr Fest, uniting 192 participants along a 313-foot apparatus constructed from roughly 60 bolted-together skis.

• Park City Enters the Fray, 2016,Park City Sunrise Rotary pairs with local craft breweries and distilleries to scale up the tradition, breaking 1,000 participants and launching the formal rivalry with Colorado.

• The Canadian Wildcard, April 2025, Mont-Orford in Quebec unexpectedly gathers 1,406 spring skiers off the slopes to break the record. However, Park City and Breckenridge purists disregard the claim because the Canadian event was not tied to a charitable fundraising effort.

• Breck Reclaims the Crown, December 2025, Breckenridge Distillery re-establishes the title at Ullr Fest with 1,420 participants.

• Park City's 10th Anniversary Victory, October 10, 2026, Park City gathers 1,430 participants across 550 connected skis, regaining the title and topping Breck by exactly 10 spots.

Philanthropy in a Shot Glass

While the rivalry makes for lively headlines, organizers emphasize that the arms race is intentionally calibrated.

By design, neither town obliterates the existing record. Instead, each event tops the previous mark by a slight margin—typically 10 to 15 people—ensuring that the record can continue to be broken year after year. This incremental strategy keeps interest high and guarantees a reliable annual platform for charitable giving.

"In the eyes of many, this event is less about setting a record and more about philanthropy. Proceeds from every record-setting feat are donated to local causes."

The 2026 Park City event raised $86,000, with tickets starting at $30 for general admission and scaling up to custom corporate ski sponsorship packages. The funds will be distributed by the Park City Sunrise Rotary Club to local Summit County nonprofits and community grants throughout the upcoming summer.

The Ball is Back in Breck’s Court

Park City’s reign over the shot ski kingdom may prove short-lived. Breckenridge has already scheduled its response for December 17, 2026, during its annual Ullr Fest celebration.

For now, however, the trophy, the bragging rights, and 550 connected skis belong to Utah.