5 Reasons Spring Skiing is So Awesome

April 8th, 2014 • BY

Alp flowers hint of spring at the Karlesjoch Bahn upper station (3108m., near Kaunertal Gletscher on Austria-Italy border).

If sightings of fuzzy little pussy-willow or crocus bud leaves you feeling angsty about winter’s imminent end, join the club. I, too, get grumpy when I see the first daffodil.

It’s a sunny, yellow, annoying reminder that our powder days this season are numbered, and no matter what kind of winter you’ve experienced, has there really ever been such thing as “enough powder days?” I think not. But whether you’re excited for the warm weather and longer days or having early symptoms of winter FOMO, there’s no reason to give up on the mountain (or backcountry) just yet. Spring skiing and boarding can be unpredictable, occasionally still powdery, and utterly enjoyable. Here’s why:

1.  No lift lines. Are your thoughts drifting to coastal surf trips, desert camping, planting a garden, or freshly-melted mountain bike trails?  Yes, well, so are everyone else’s, and they are all acting on it.  Let them spring clean, because the mountains are empty, the lifts are ski-on and the runs are all yours. Yesterday, I skied Crystal Mountain on a sunny Saturday and we were lapping next to our tracks in a few fresh inches, feeling like we had our own private mountain. And, if you really can’t let go of the mountain bike thoughts, spring is the best time to experience the novelty of a multi-sport day. It sounds tiring but I guarantee that the sheer excitement of skiing in the morning and biking in the afternoon will keep you energized once you start pedaling.

2. The weather can go either way! It’s exciting. It’s tempting to see a mixed-bag forecast and think, it might rain this weekend so it’ll be a good time to stay home and get stuff done. But you don’t know if you don’t go, and the majority of the time there will be some really good skiing—all that fickle moisture can make a few inches of snow in a short time, and then the sun will probably come out at some point. Also, everyone else saw the same forecast and didn’t go, which leads us back to reason Number One (see above). Those few inches (and sometimes a whole foot!) of pow are all yours, thanks to Mother Nature for still being such a miraculous mystery after all these years. Sure, you could also end up skiing in the rain but as long as you put your hood up and have some decent outerwear, rain-skiing is soft and buttery and highly underrated.  

3. Sunny, warm, corn skiing.  This is some of the best skiing. There’s nothing like cruising around with a sweet posse, doing spread eagles and wearing silly outfits, following the sun as it makes perfect carve-able shaved ice out of the mountain. Go in the park, crush some slush bumps, or just open it up on a nice, smooth slope and go as fast as possible. Sunny spring skiing brings out all the characters (here’s to you, Mr. Jean Shorts Guy!) and makes for incredible people-watching and the best apres-skiing scenes of the year. It’s also a great time to teach someone to ski because they won’t be focused on how freezing they are.

4. It’s cheaper. Most places now offer a deal where if you buy next year’s season pass right now, you get to ski the rest of this year for free, ensuring you an entire year’s worth of fun for a pretty good price. Off-season lodging and ticket bargains are much easier to find, as well. Save money on food by bringing a picnic to enjoy on a peak in the sun.

 5. The backcountry is (usually) beckoning. Springtime is generally the safest time to get into the backcountry, as snowpacks have had time to settle out and lock in. This comes with a huge caveat, though—always check your local avalanche forecast and please don’t assume that just because it’s spring, it’s safe. But if the avalanche hazard is low and you’re properly educated and with good partners, it’s the best time to start learning and experiencing another amazing world of skiing and hiking. Endless cornfields await, with lakes and rivers and hot springs below for possibly an even better apres-scene than reason Number Three (see above). Pro-tip:  To really “win” the apres, stash some beers and/or cold drinks in a creek or snowbank before you start hiking.

And, if spring comes to an end and the onset of summer leaves you still snow-starved, there’s always South America. We can celebrate more winter together in Chile at my women’s ski camp.

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