The picturesque town of Conifer, Colorado isn’t just known for its serene beauty and clear skies. On October 8th, it was the battleground for the Blizzard Mountain October 2023 Max Matchplay Tournament! where pinball enthusiasts from around the state converged, aiming to emerge as the champions.
Setting the (Play)Field
The event was organized at Blizzard Mountain Pinball, a haven for pinball lovers, meticulously curated by Kevin McCarthy. With 33 players playing 12 games each, the top 16 moved onto the Finals, where they encountered 3 intense rounds of 3 games each.
A clear sky, with a comfortable temperature of 64°F, set a perfect atmosphere for the attendees, though the real heat was inside, amidst the flashing lights and buzzing sounds of the pinball machines.
When Time Stood Still
In the Quarterfinals, spectators witnessed one of the longest pinball games ever played. Taking a mind-boggling 87 minutes on Avengers: Infinity Quest (Premium) by Stern, Lewis Ritenour took the lead, followed by Justin Hinman, Doug Harlow, and Stepan Mazurov.
Machines that Stole the Show
Jurassic Park (Pro) by Stern proved to be an endurance test, with the longest average game duration of about 14 minutes. But the crowd’s favorite was the nostalgic Mousin’ Around! by Bally, played a total of 9 times.
Blizzard Mountain boasted a magnificent array of 36 pinball machines. Among these, standouts included a personal favorite, of course, Pinbot, the electrifying AC/DC (Premium), the adventurous Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure, the retro King Kool, the action-packed Big Buck Hunter Pro, the evergreen Mousin’ Around!, the regal Medieval Madness, and the trip down memory lane with Time Machine.
Champions of the Day
The fierce competition culminated in the crowning of the pinball wizards:
- Cassie Begay from Denver dazzled with 5 wins.
- Walt Wood from Englewood, showcasing impeccable strategy, clinched the second spot.
- The tenacity of Justin Hinman earned him the third spot.
- Alex Vanee stood fourth, proving that rank isn’t always the determinant of the day’s performance.
- The leaderboard was further graced by the likes of Jonathon Robel, Ryan Altermatt, David Weil, and Lewis Ritenour.
Colorado’s Pinball Elites
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walt Wood | Englewood | 593.24 |
| 2 | Ryan Altermatt | Denver | 297.47 |
| 3 | Zach McCarthy | Conifer | 194.6 |
| 4 | Mark Abbott | Denver | 176.98 |
| 5 | Donavan Stepp | Lakewood | 166.33 |
| 6 | Daniel Anderson | Englewood | 150.31 |
| 7 | Ryan Wanger | Boulder | 137.44 |
| 8 | Robert Slyker | — | 132.68 |
| 9 | Lewis Ritenour | — | 131.25 |
| 10 | David Johnson CO | Aurora | 129.73 |
A Venue Beyond Machines
While Blizzard Mountain Pinball boasts a plethora of machines, it’s the immaculate upkeep and the atmosphere that resonates with visitors. A recent review aptly summed it up, “Clean, well-maintained machines, and an atmosphere where passion for pinball meets camaraderie.”
Blizzard Mountain’s Max Matchplay was more than a tournament. It was a rendezvous of strategy, skill, and sheer determination. So, as the lights dim and the scores reset, we can’t help but wait eagerly for the next face-off.
Stay flipping, pinball lovers!