Snow Skills

Conditions change by the hour when skiing and riding in the Spring; the mix of changing air temperatures, underlying snow temperature, sunshine, and warm air winds can create a broad range of conditions in the course of a day. Based on a general timeline, here are some tips on terrain selection for spring skiing.

Let’s assume the weather is 45 degrees, full sunshine, and light winds: here’s a schedule for terrain selection for that day:

8:30 am   For your first runs, head for groomed terrain. The even, soft corduroy surface will be excellent early in the morning while the underlying snow is still firm.

10 am   Move to the summit of the mountain. As the snow begins to soften up on the open trails, the conditions will become “Hero Snow” at higher elevations.
Noon   Go find some mogul terrain; the snow should be softening up by now, making them more forgiving.
1:30 pm   The glades are the place to be now. The driest snow will be found in the shade as the flatter, exposed trails will have bumped up and be more tiring to ski.
3 pm   As the sun starts to drop and temps swing back downward, head for steeper trails for the driest, softest snow.

4 pm   Last chair; whatever the trail, set a line up against a treeline and stay in the shadows all the way home.

4:10 pm   Hit the lodge, find a bar with a deck, and enjoy the last hours of the day reflecting on another great day on the slopes. Skoal!