The Lake Cushing Crossing: 20 Years of Splashes, Spills and Good Times

Veterans and first timers rarely disagree that Palisades Tahoe's annual Lake Cushing Crossing, now approaching it's 20th year, stands alone in the cluttered world of late season ski resort pond crossings. To many, its their absolute favorite event of the season.

Tahoe TV recently unearthed some original video footage taken at the first ever Crossing in 1990. The surroundings are a bit different, and the first year crowd was a bit thinner, but the vibe was the same.

While memories are faded and stories vary, the first Lake Cushing Crossing was the apparent brainchild of Jean Hagan, long time restauranteur and concession manager at Palisades Tahoe USA. As the 80's crossed into the 90's, Hagan was running, among other things, the infamous Palisades Tahoe Beer Garden, located downstairs in the Olympic House in what is now an arcade.

Jean, her staff, Tom O'Neil of Olympic Plaza, and many others cobbled together that year's first event, and quickly named it for the small pond that sits in front of the Cushing house. Little did they know it would set the stage for the endless string of crashes and splashes, laughs and hilarity that have marked the last days of the season now for the last twenty years.

In this, an anniversary year for Palisades Tahoe USA, the occasion of this 20th annual event is worthy of special notice.However, as Mother Nature dictates much of what happens around these parts, the Crossing has been forced to postpone due to the ice that remains on the pond.

In any event, Tahoe TV and Tahoetopia.com invite readers to share their favorite stories and memories, photos and videos, of the Lake Cushing Crossing over the years, and to celebrate the good time spirit in which the event was born.

Share your comments and stories below in our comments section, or email stories and photos to editor@tahoetopia.com.

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