Fire & Ice: A Rainy-Day Pinball Battle at Blizzard Mountain

Nothing says “perfect pinball weather” quite like a steady, cold drizzle. While the skies over Conifer, Colorado, weren’t exactly inviting on February 22nd, inside Blizzard Mountain Pinball, the competition was heating up. The Blizzard Mountain Women’s February 2025 Max Match Play brought together 13 players for a storm of head-to-head battles, each playing 12 games in an effort to make the cut to the top eight.

After nearly three and a half hours of flips, drains, and some serious skill shots, the finalists squared off in a tense three-game round. With the rain pattering outside, the players inside were laser-focused, making this a February afternoon well spent.

A Pinball Retreat in the Rockies

Tucked away in the foothills of the Rockies, Blizzard Mountain Pinball is a true destination for pinball lovers. While Conifer may be a small town, this spot packs a serious punch with a stellar lineup of well-maintained machines spanning multiple eras of pinball history.

Visitors consistently praise the attention to detail, from the pristine condition of the games to the inviting atmosphere that makes both seasoned players and newcomers feel at home. The collection is big enough that you can play a different machine every time you visit, whether you’re diving into the deep, story-driven world of The Wizard of Oz or testing your reflexes on the fast and furious Banzai Run. Families love it here too—there’s even a well-placed stool for younger players to get in on the action.

Mastering the High Seas: Pirates of the Caribbean

If you found yourself in a battle with the sea monsters of Jersey Jack’s Pirates of the Caribbean during the tournament, you weren’t alone. With an average game time of 15 minutes, it was the longest game of the day.

Pirates of the Caribbean by Jersey Jack Pinball is a beast of a game, with deep rules, long ball times, and more ways to score than a pirate’s got treasure. If you want to dominate in a tournament setting, the key is multiball stacking and chapter mode scoring. There are several multiballs—Black Pearl, Dead Man’s Chest, Maelstrom, and Jackpot—but the best strategy is to start a Chapter Mode first, then stack a multiball on top to boost scoring.

Your character choice at the start matters more than you’d think. Elizabeth Swann is great for extending multiballs, while Davy Jones boosts chapter mode points. In a competitive setting, these advantages can make a huge difference. Another pro move? Get comfortable with the Black Pearl upper playfield. Hitting cannon shots from there scores big, and many players ignore it.

To avoid wasting time on low-value tasks, skip Gold collection and focus on survivability—this game has long ball times, but careless flips lead to quick center drains. Instead, control the ball, make deliberate shots, and stack your features wisely. If you can manage that, you’ll be plundering high scores while others are walking the plank.

The Standout Machines of the Tournament

With 17 machines in play, competitors had to navigate a variety of challenges. Here’s a deeper dive into some of the highlights from the lineup:

Stranger Things (Premium) – Stern (2019)

Designed by Brian Eddy, Stranger Things brought some nostalgia with its Demogorgon Bash Toy, one of the more unique features in modern Stern pinball. The UV light kit, which reveals hidden artwork on the playfield, creates a one-of-a-kind experience that makes it feel like you’re stepping into the eerie world of Hawkins, Indiana. The game also features a projector system that displays mode instructions and animations directly on the playfield, a rare feature in pinball history.

Tournament Tip: The telekinesis ball lock can be tricky to activate consistently, so aim carefully when going for those key shots.

Tales of the Arabian Nights – Williams (1996)

If there was an award for most beautiful pinball machine of the tournament, this one might take it. Designed by John Popadiuk, Tales of the Arabian Nights is known for its stunning artwork by Pat McMahon, dazzling light shows, and immersive storytelling.

The game’s central feature is the Genie, a mechanical toy that challenges players to hit specific targets to free the princess. With its spinning lamp, orbits, and looping shots, this is a machine that demands precision.

Tournament Tip: The Ramp Combo Bonus can lead to serious points, so practice stringing together left and right ramp shots!

Banzai Run – Williams (1988)

The only pinball machine where the backglass is also part of the game, Banzai Run was the brainchild of Pat Lawlor (who later designed The Addams Family and Twilight Zone). Players shoot the ball into the backbox and use flippers to guide it through a vertical playfield, a completely unique design that still amazes pinball fans today.

Tournament Tip: Don’t neglect the “Race” feature—lighting up lanes to qualify for races can lead to big points!

Rush (Pro) – Stern (2022)

One of the newest games in the tournament, Rush is a music pin that pays tribute to the legendary Canadian rock band. Designed by John Borg, this machine features dynamic audio integration, meaning the songs change based on how well you play.

It also introduced the “Time Machine Multiball”, which sends the ball back through time (or at least, back onto the playfield at high speed). For players who love flow, the ramps and wireforms on Rush make for an incredibly satisfying shooting experience.

Tournament Tip: Focus on mode stacking—getting multiple song modes running at the same time leads to huge scoring potential!

The Grand Finale on Fire! (Literally)

The final battle came down to a fittingly intense showdown on Fire! (Williams, 1987)—a game known for its unique theme based on battling blazes. This machine, designed by Mark Ritchie, stands out for its upper playfield, bell alarms, and rescue-based objectives rather than traditional ramp-heavy scoring.

When the smoke cleared (figuratively, of course), Dusty Schmidt emerged as the tournament champion. Coming into the event ranked 63rd in the state, she was the highest-ranked competitor in the finals, and that experience showed. With 137 tournaments under her belt, Dusty knew exactly how to handle pressure and executed a clutch finish on Fire! to claim victory.

Right behind her, Tracy Whetstine put up a fierce fight, taking second place. With 220 tournaments of experience, Tracy is one of the most seasoned players in the field, proving that her top-75 state ranking is well-earned. Her ability to consistently place high in events makes her a name to watch in future tournaments.

Marissa Furman, ranked 107th in Colorado, rounded out the podium in third place. With only 74 IFPA events played, she’s still carving out her spot in the competitive scene—but if this finish is any indication, she’s quickly climbing the ranks. Her strong performance across multiple machines, particularly in high-pressure moments, suggests we’ll be seeing more of her in future finals.

In fourth place was Laura McCarthy, an experienced competitor with 248 IFPA events played. She may not have cracked the top 100 in state rankings yet, but with that level of dedication, it’s only a matter of time before she does.

1. Dusty Schmidt (Littleton, CO)
2. Tracy Whetstine
3. Marissa Furman (Denver, CO)
4. Laura McCarthy
5. Gretchen Garcia (Denver, CO)
6. Liz Grimm-Morales
7. Lynn Crouch (Denver, CO)
8. Masha Dare

With a mix of veteran players and rising talents, this tournament proved that pinball in Colorado is more competitive than ever. Whether you’re ranked in the top 100 or just getting started, there’s always room to make a name for yourself—one well-placed shot at a time.

Colorado’s Top 10 Pinball Players

Here’s where the state’s best currently stand:

The Storm Passes, But the Memories Stick

A huge shoutout to Blizzard Mountain Pinball and tournament organizer Kevin McCarthy for putting together a seamless, well-run event. From the carefully maintained lineup of machines to the welcoming atmosphere, it’s no wonder players keep coming back, rain or shine.

Despite the dreary weather outside, the energy inside Blizzard Mountain Pinball was anything but gloomy. With fierce competition, clutch performances, and a final battle on Fire! that lived up to its name, this tournament was a reminder of why Colorado’s pinball scene continues to thrive.

If you missed this one, don’t worry—there are always more battles to be fought, high scores to be chased, and flippers to be tested. Whether you’re a tournament regular or just looking to improve your game, there’s no better way to sharpen your skills than stepping up to the machine. Until next time, keep flipping—and if you ever find yourself in Conifer, don’t forget to take a scenic detour up the mountain for some top-tier pinball action!