March 25, 2010
Be prepared when it comes to spring skiing
by Tony Chamberlain/
Spring skiing brings plenty of sun and enjoyment when you prepare properly. (photo: Tony Chamberlain)
We’ve been raving about the torrents of spring these last few columns, and spring skiing is its own special world of pleasures. The giddiness of the season often equates to a sense of spontaneity, and that feels great and liberating. It’s fun to just push go without the burden of heavy plan-making.
But, first as a young skier, later as a dad, I experienced some of the unpleasantness that can arise from not thinking through the spring ski trip – at least a little bit.
Starting with the latter, I have a vivid – as in blood red on snow – memory of a run from the top of Mount Mansfieldwith my son, his friend, and the rest of our family. It was a gorgeous, bluebird day with firm packed powder underfoot and streaming sunshine feeling warm on our faces.
My son and his friend – both young teenagers – were dressed in the fashion of the day – shorts and tropical shirts. The two boys were skiing fast, naturally, when my son took a fairly average digger and went down in a spray of snow.
When his arm contacted the steel edge of his ski, the result was, well think butcher knife. Had his arm been in a jacket he might never have felt the contact. To this day (20 years later) my son regards this as a net plus since the ski patroller who tied off his wound and ascertained he could still ski well, escorted him on a high speed top-to-bottom emergency to the first aid station at the base.
So, skiing bare-chested in spring almost always looks like a better idea than it is. Corned-up snow crystals can tear skin in most unpleasant ways, and I have an older memory of some pretty raw leg abrasions from my own fall one April. Gotta cover the skin, if only lightly.
► When packing for the trip, include layers (just as in winter) that can take you from light to fairly substantial. The temperature can turn cold and breezy in spring and varies greatly through the day.
► Sunglasses do not have to be expensive (my current ones were $14 at a service station in Leadville, Colo.) but should be polarized with UV block, with large enough frames to block peripheral wind.
► Hey, dehydration happens! Both in winter, but obviously more in spring, we need plenty of fluids when participating in athletic activity – which skiing and riding is. I’ll spare you the lactate-acid-in-the-muscles lecture, but muscle cramps can be avoided by drinking plenty of fluids.
► That point is especially true in high altitudes that treat the snow so well. The reason for that is it’s so dry. So pack the water bottles when heading for the mile high (and higher) summits.
There are lots of steps in preventing altitude sickness – getting to town a day early, walking and stair climbing the day before skiing, minimizing alcohol intake and diuretics, renting a humidifier for your hotel room – all these steps can make for a happier spring vacation in the high dry air.
