One of Skiing's Zaniest Races Returns to Palisades Tahoe This Weekend
One of skiing’s best-loved events returns to Palisades Tahoe, California, this weekend, with the kick-off of the Pain McShlonkey.
The irreverent and no-holds-barred race sees skiers blast down the ski resort’s slopes wearing funny costumes while riding on snowblades—those tiny skis that look like they’re for kids.
The event starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026. After the aptly named Hot Dog Downhill, Palisades Tahoe is hosting a DJ set, an awards ceremony, and a raffle. The party continues at RMU, a local watering hole in nearby Truckee, California, at 8 p.m.
The Pain McShlonkey, or PMS, honors the famed professional skier Shane McConkey, known for his on-hill talent and wicked sense of humor. It has a fundraising element, too, and, last season, donated $10,000 to the Sierra Community House, a local non-profit.
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Photo: Courtesy Palisades Tahoe
It’s not the only upcoming springtime event at Palisades Tahoe.
The Mothership Classic, “a bell-to-bell Shred-A-Thon” on the KT-22 lift that fundraises for the High Fives Foundation, is scheduled for Sunday, March 22.
More action comes later in the season.
Palisades Tahoe’s wild take on pond skims, the Cushing Crossing, will deliver wipeouts and epic saves on April 5.
Then comes the resurrection of Daron Rahlves’ Banzai Tour. The race, a ski-cross style competition with all-mountain terrain, used to draw crowds and competitors to resorts around Lake Tahoe. It disappeared years ago, but Rahlves, along with Palisade Tahoe, is bringing it back between April 10 and April 12.
Courtesy Palisades Tahoe
“We’re all used to dealing with different conditions, and that’s kind of what the sport’s all about,” Rahlves told POWDER last year. “It’s gonna be a good time no matter what.”
Other scheduled events include concerts, an uphill race, and the Made in Tahoe Spring Festival.
While a largely snowless season and recent heat wave have caused some ski resorts around Lake Tahoe to close earlier than usual, Palisades Tahoe still plans to remain open through May 25, according to its website.
On the bright side, the unusually warm weather means you can ski in a t- shirt and work on your goggle tan in March.