Super Mario, Hulk Hogan and Moana appeared at the base area of Steamboat Resort on Saturday when the Cardboard Classic returned for its 43rd year. 

The annual race calls for the most daring of participants to construct a homemade cardboard craft and race down the Stampede ski run using only cardboard; glue; string; water-based paint; duct tape; masking tape; balloons and other decorations.

Prior to the race, the cardboard crafts were lined up and critiqued by a group of judges who gave out awards for the following categories: 

• Coca-Cola Classic
• Most Creative
• Best Individual Craft
• Best Reproduction
• Judge’s Choice
• Best Costumes
• Crowd Favorite
• Best Engineering

Lane Greenwood said his team was planning on earning an award, knowing his craft would dazzle the crowd. 

Greenwood, dressed as Hulk Hogan, was part of team WWSteamboat — a craft that was a full wrestling ring, filled with some of the World Wrestling Entertainment’s biggest stars. 

John Zander took the lead on construction efforts with an estimated 14 hours of labor put into building the impressive contraption.

“Our craft weighed about 700 pounds,” Greenwood said, who later explained that he and his friends have competed in the Classic for the past four years.

“It seems like wrestling is making a big comeback right now, so it seems like it’s pretty relevant,” Greenwood said. “This is our fourth year doing it and we try to do something relevant with the current times.”

Previous crafts constructed by Greenwood and his friends include a viking ship and a Dale Earndhart Sr. theme. 

Greenwood felt the show in the ring was plenty to inspire the crowd, but knew his crew was not quickest down the run. 

“We were hoping we’d go faster but I think it was better for us that we went slower so we could wrestle along the way and not worry about trying to keep our footing the whole time,” Greenwood said. “It worked in our benefit.” 

The fastest run of all? 

That title would go to the SS Tiki Bar, a crew that barreled down Stampede so quick, it would break through the crash bags and fly over the other side of the hill where all other competitors came to a stop. It collected the greatest roar from the crowd and was only the second craft to make its descent in the competition. 

RESULTS
43rd annual Cardboard Classic
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Most Creative — Praying Mantis
Best Costumes — Easter Bandits
Best Reproduction — Transformers: Slide Out
Judge’s Choice — Futbol is Life
Coca-Cola Classic — Bach To The ’80s
Best Individual Craft — WWSteamboat
Best Engineering — Super Mario Kart
Crowd Favorite — SS Tiki Bar