Catch Rip the ski bum if you can this holiday season, Dec. 12-21. Photo: Historic Park City Alliance.

PARK CITY, Utah — A mischievous ski bum is shaking up a familiar holiday tradition on Historic Main Street this season. The Historic Park City Alliance announced this week the launch of “Ski Bum on the Run,” a playful, ski-town twist on Elf on the Shelf that encourages families to explore local businesses while tracking down a wandering winter character known as Rip the Ski Bum.

Rip is on the run Dec. 12–21 and invites locals and visitors to follow daily clues on Instagram at @historicparkcity and on the organization’s website. Each day, Tony “Rip” McWilliams — described as a legendary, duct-tape-clad ski bum with a questionable relationship to personal hygiene and a habit of overstaying après — will be “hiding” inside one of Main Street’s participating shops.

“We are excited to launch Main Street’s newest family-friendly holiday tradition, Ski Bum on the Run,” said Ginger Wicks, Executive Director of the Historic Park City Alliance. “The light-hearted, mildly competitive campaign is a fun way to promote our local businesses through daily prizes and give guests multiple opportunities to discover something new and simply revel in the magic of the season.”

Participants who spot Rip are asked to take a photo, post it to Instagram using the hashtag #SkiBumOnTheRun, and tag @historicparkcity. One person will be selected at random each day to receive a prize from the business hosting Rip. Each evening, organizers will reveal his location and share a hint for the next day’s search.

Inspired by the popularity of Elf on the Shelf, the event embraces Park City’s humorous, nostalgic ski culture. According to organizers, McWilliams has been “on the run” since ’97 and was last seen “somewhere on Historic Main Street.” His occupation is “professional bum/unprofessional skier,” his zodiac sign is “powder rising, après moon,” and his height is “depends on the boots.”

Wanted for mischief such as waxing skis with a holiday candle, schmoozing with international tourists, and over-indulging in one too many mugs of cocoa, the HPCA appreciates any assistance from the public to investigate Rip’s whereabouts to catch him in his (cat) tracks.

“Name’s Rip. Tony ‘Rip’ McWilliams if we’re being formal,” he says in a statement shared by organizers. “I ski fast, nap hard, and I’m just here for a good holiday time. Been on the run since ’97… give or take. You’ll find me wherever the cocoa’s hot and the vibes are high. Catch me if you can.”

While hunting for Rip, families can take part in other holiday offerings on Main Street, including the Silver & Snow Holiday Window Display Contest, running through Dec. 24, and the Snow Globe Stroll, which features seven large, artist-designed globes on display through Jan. 3.