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Young skiers and shredders go ‘bananas’ in Soda Pop Slalom

Long-running Winter Carnival tradition attracts nearly 400 participants

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John F. Russell

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Cody Weaver sported a banana costume as he made his way through the gates at the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday. A part of Steamboat's 113th Winter Carnival, the long-running event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Five-year-old skier Colin Wehrly takes a drink from his soda after racing through the gates at the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday. The iconic Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Belle Stone and her daughter, Juniper, head to the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday. The field in the iconic Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Jaime James helps Toby James with boots as they head to the starting line of the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday. The field in the iconic Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Tano Gooding makes his way through the gates at the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday. The field in the iconic Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Seven-year-old skier Evia McLain gets a few words of advice before skiing through the gates at the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday. The field in the iconic Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Snowboarder Remy Bena races through the gates at the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday. The field in the iconic Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Little Princess Savannah Moore, 5, makes a run on the Mini Meisters course at the base of Howelsen Hill on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Moore had just finished racing in the annual Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom, which drew 389 young skiers and snowboarders.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Racers ride the magic carpet on their way to the start of the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday. The field in the iconic Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Eight-year-old skier Eliza Campbell heads toward the starting gate at the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom wearing a wolf hat. The field in the iconic Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event, which took place Friday at the base of Howelsen Hill, included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Racers make their way through the gates at the 2026 Christy Sports Soda Pop Slalom that took place at Howelsen Hill on Friday, as a large crowd of spectators cheer on the young racers. The field in the Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival event included 389 skiers and snowboarders under age 14.
John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today

John F. Russell is the business reporter at the Steamboat Pilot & Today. To reach him, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966.

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