March 5, 2010
March skiing at its finest
by Tony Chamberlain/
Look for shadows on the snow in spring. They keep conditions firm longer. (photo: Tony Chamberlain)
Life in the mountains begins to change pretty dramatically in March. No, the season isn’t winding down as conditions go. In fact, for the northern tier – Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont – this is the snowiest six weeks.
But still, change that brings about the best skiing and snowboarding also throws some new tricks our way, and as we pack up the old DeSoto for the weekend, keep in mind:
► We always top up the fluids in our cars, but be sure to have an extra gallon of windshield wash in the trunk.
► While black ice is pretty rare in southern New Englandor on major roads used in commuting, on rural roads a little melting in the afternoon can become treacherous as the temps dive at night. Wet can become slick in moments.
► In fact, weather varies pretty wildly. After a winter of driving with the windows closed, the inner glass surfaces can get pretty smeared and obstruct the visibility in rain and snow. Take 15 minutes to clean all the inside window surfaces before you take off.
► Make sure you’ve packed for a variety of temperatures and conditions on the slopes. Layering is always the answer to outdoor living, but imagine yourself peeling off during a warm midday, and pulling on after around 2 pm.
► Eye-protection is not just about cold air and blowing powder, this time of year it’s also about protection against UV rays. They can be destructive and emanate not only from the sun, but also reflection off the snow.
► Obviously the same goes for sunblock and lip balm. These are always a good idea outdoors, but those skin surfaces are just feeling strong rays for the first time in many months.
► Have rain gear handy. Don’t head for cover when that shower pops up, put on a poncho (Our family has even used big trash bags with cut out head and arm holes) or some rain jacket. Skiing and boarding on a rainy surface can be an absolute blast.
► Snow surfaces always vary during the day, but never as much as in spring. You might begin the morning with annoying marble frozen granular, and loosen in the next hours to loose granular or, if you’re lucky, into corn – a wonderful surface.
► To stay in firmer snow, consider the exposure of your slope: obviously southeast facing snow will get slushy faster. Look for north-facing slopes and trails, and remember that narrower windy trails usually offer more shade. Through the day, shadow can shift from one side of the trail to the other, and shade generally holds firmness longer.
► Do call ahead to find projected closing dates. Lots of snow doesn’t mean longer opening times. Easter time is usual, but some will stay open on a weekends-only basis if the skiers and riders keep coming.
► Parents of young children should check out the daycare staffing situation at areas in the late season, and ski schools may also be losing staff.
► Do check on late season deals. Prices in every area go down in spring, but it doesn’t hurt to try cutting a deal – especially with lodging rates.
► Have a blast. And at those apres ski parties, be very careful of ice-cube size Jello bits being passed around. They just might lead you to the pond-skimming competition.
