Best part of the season

[tradygirl]

This weekend kicked off what I believe is the best part of the ski season - SPRING! And it's not just about the skiing - it's the warmer temps, the longer days, and excitement about getting back to other activities. It's that "overlap" time when you get to pick and choose your sport.

For instance - Friday I got out on my road bike for a few hours in about 50 degree temps (it was perfect!) It felt so good to be on my bike! But, Sunday was touring day and we had one of the most enjoyable ski tours of the season - a chute in Wolverine Cirque followed by a few laps of creamy powder. No need for heavy gloves or balaclavas - just thin polypro, ridiculous blue sky, and a lot of sunscreen. Everyone we ran into had big smiles and great attitudes. What more can you ask for?

Anybody else love this time of year? Do you hold onto ski season as long as you can - or are you itching to get on the bike, rope, boat, etc? I personally adore corn skiing, so I'll be out there for at least another two months...in between bike rides, that is.

 

[num]

I agree wholeheartedly! I love spring skiing. Unfortunately the hills around here tend to close mid March. I'm excited to be able to do other spring sports, but if skiing's still an option the other sports are additions, not instead of skiing.

 

[Gina23]

was at keystone yesterday, at the end of the day that sun on that hardpack made me OH SO SAD.

:Cry:

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Whoa, whoa - wait!! Hold your horses! It ain't over til it's over!!

Man, I've seen some whopper storms come through Summit in mid-April and produce winter conditions (and FAST). Last season, Sugarloaf racked up 95" - in April - best skiing and coverage of last season! I'm talking January powder on Easter Sunday

Doesn't happen every year, but I sure hope there are a few more storms in our near-future!!

 

[Solincia]

I'm excited for spring, but I want it to stay winter a bit longer!

I need to purchase a new bike this year, already found what I'm looking for... just need to buy it. I want to get it before it's time to ride, that way I'm all set and ready to go. My ol' schwinn is 15 years old <and still kickin'> but it's time.

Bf is getting cabin fever... he's been sick the last three weeks, now I'm sick. I do look forward to sitting on the patio and grilling out again... and man, I need to do some gardening.. there is so much I want to plant this year. BUT, I'd rather be able to go skiing a few more times before all of this!

 

[skigrl27]

I love that it's light out later. More daytime = more play time!

But I am SO NOT ready for winter to be over. Luckily, March is a snowy month for CO & the forecast is calling for the white stuff to fall twice this week. I hope they're right.

This ski season flew by & when it is over I will be sad. But then I'll drag out my mountain bike & remember why it's so much easier to fall in the snow & not rocks. My dog will certainly be happy to have me back!

 

[Jilly]

I'm not ready for winter to go in the mountain. My driveway - YES!! We have only 5 weekends left before Tremblant closes. But there are others that stay open longer and all that means is a drive!! We may see what Ste Anne still has on about April 26th!! Or get the boat out of storage and get it ready. Dragon Boat practices start up in May!!

 

[Robyn]

While I'm glad that I'll be able to be out on my bike in the next couple of weeks after work and in a month or so I'll be able to start commuting by bike again I am NOT ready for spring. Nope, I'm nowhere near the number of days that I want to ski this season so I don't want it to end yet. But, as has already been mentioned, we can get some fantastic storms giving us winter conditions in April and we are expecting snow this week.

 

[cyn]

Spring is the absolute BEST!!! The snow is great, the days are longer, I'm not constantly fighting to stay warm, and in many cases, people have moved on to other activities, so the lines are shorter. Even riding the lift is a pleasure in the sun.

 

[Christy]

Allright, I don’t get the appeal of spring skiing…is it where I live (WA)? The snow is already getting soft and mushy on the lower slopes, and even higher up in the afternoons, and that stuff is hard for me to ski in. Up high it’s still usually okay, but we’re not getting much (if any) new stuff and it’s pretty warm (50s in Seattle, so high 30s in the mts). Are spring skiing lovers really good skiers who aren’t bothered by mushy snow, or do warm temps not equal mushy snow where you live?

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Whoa, whoa - wait!! Hold your horses! It ain't over til it's over!!

Amen, Sistah!!!!!! :cheer:
My ski season may just be beginning!

 

[num]

I'm not a really good skier, but I have fun in mushy snow. I know it's supposed to be more difficult but it's generally just been fun in my experience. Then again I might feel differently if I generally skied soft snow. The alternative is usually super hard pack or ice, so I view mushy snow as a perk.

Plus like cyn said, crowds are thinner as people have moved on to other stuff. Less crowds, the sun's shining, and you can go for a nice long skate afterwards to stretch everything out. That's the life.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Allright, I don’t get the appeal of spring skiing…is it where I live (WA)? Are spring skiing lovers really good skiers who aren’t bothered by mushy snow, or do warm temps not equal mushy snow where you live?

Partially is due to where you live. Higher moisture content snow in PNW even when it falls (ditto New England). More humidity in the air. Combination makes for faster mush. In CO higher elevations, snow is drier, air is drier, things don't mush out as early. Maybe by May?

Yep, takes strength to ski in it, for sure. Used to be called "leg breaker snow." Not sure if this is now an archaic term. Notoriously edge-catchy.

 

[Gloria]

My favorite time of the year. Love spring skiing almost as much as freshtracks in powder. Love multi-sport weather. I am going to take my kayak to work tomorrow and play in the wave downtown. I love switching gears slowly grooving out of one sport and into another.

 

[dloveski]

Bitter Sweet

We love the warmer temps. But this time every year, I miss the passing of the winter. I remember the bitter cold days, the white-outs, the fluffy snow, the frozen toes and fingers.

Yet, like others, I love the sun, the warmer temps. But there is a tradoff, balmy conditions for sketchy snow (frozen, slushy, or both). And more motivation and time to dust of my running shoes.

But, spring brings surprises. And March dumps are heaven sent. Bring them on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Daria]

I love spring and being able to sit in the warm sun at the end of a great ski day drinking a tasty beverage The weather here in Northern California can be really unpredictable. Two years ago we were freezing in April, last year we didn't have any snow to speak of. This year we have had a couple of warm spells in between major storms and now it looks like the cold is coming back. I hope to be skiing until the end of April

 

[Quiver Queen]

I don't really like spring skiing because in New England it usually means mushy snow--too much knee strain, it scares me. Plus, I know the ski season is drawing to a close, and I'm never ready.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

The New England trick is watching overnight temps. In those late season nights when temps drop low enough (which it does way out/up here), the snows sets up overnight. Then, as the sun warms it, if we're lucky, there's an hour or two of that most-elusive snow condition known as CORN. This is a far more familiar condition to Rocky Mt skiers. However, it does happen in NE to those willing to (im)patiently wait.

Oh my, it's like skiing on ball bearings ! Wow. Doesn't last too long---it starts to get heavy after a point - the aforementioned slush - and then it's nowhere near as fun.

But if it must be late-season, I eagerly and patiently wait for this type of snow.

 

[NYSkiGirl]

We had corn snow in Tahoe too. I lived in Nor Cal for 4 years, it's an adjustment coming back East. Of course I smile more but the snow is NOT nearly as good.

Spring skiing is fantastic. Less clothes, shorter lines, warmer fingers and toes. Although look out for the slush, especially if you're moving at a good clip, it always grabs me.

 

[altagirl]

I love this weather. Friday I went XC skiing, Saturday I went up to the Olympic Park and tried sliding skeleton for the first time, and Sunday my friend and I drove to Fruita and mountain biked. Perfect!! :D