It always seems funny to me that the month of March marks both the zenith of the ski season for many people and its demise.
For most families, March means Spring Break. For those who pass on Mexico, Spring Break can mean a full week of skiing in the sun, on soft snow, with warm feet and hands. Or, it can mean some epic snowfall and some of the season’s most bountiful conditions as winter refuses to retreat. Either way, March offers some of the season’s best skiing.
Often as not however, even in Colorado, skiers begin hanging up their skis in favor of riding their bikes as March moves on. While many start out the month skiing in very wintery conditions, many also succumb to the sun and the warmth of valley trails before the month is over. It doesn’t have to be this way! Weekends have two days for a reason: one for skiing, one for biking. Or something like that.
In any case, whether you wish Winter would last forever or you are just looking forward to a week of pure piste pleasure, here is a preview of what the Brave Ski Mom has for you this Spring.
1. Spring Skiing. Yes, the month will probably start out cold and wintery, but daylight savings time kicks in on March 13 lengthening the sunlight by one hour. When you adjust your clocks, adjust your skiing, especially if the weather is warm. Sleep in an extra hour and give the slopes time to soften. Bulletproof snow is a bummer. There is no need to rush.
Also, check with your mountain to see if they adjust lift closing times. Many resorts use the extra daylight to stay open an extra 1/2 to one full hour in Springtime. And, while you’re checking on lift times, don’t forget to check the calendar of events. Concerts, big air competitions, races, Spring Flings, Spring Jams and lots of other fun activities abound to help you celebrate another epic season. Here at the Brave Ski Mom, look for posts on Spring Break favorites Snowbasin, Utah (March 3), Telluride, Colorado (March 8), Crested Butte, Colorado (March 10) and Snowmass, Colorado on March 15 with posts about some of my favorite extended-season resorts scattered in throughout the month.
2. Sunscreen. Yes, you already know that you should be wearing sunscreen all season long. But are you? And are you wearing the right kind? I wasn’t. I got skin cancer. Look for a full post (with a giveaway) on the topic of sunscreen for skiers, and the ingredients your blend had better have, on March 16th.
3. Summer Camp. As crazy as it seems, summer camps seem to begin filling in earnest in March. We have first-hand experience with two fabulous ski camps: Summer Ski Camp with Ted Ligety and Woodward at Copper. Now is the time to register. Check out our take on Colorado’s Woodward at Copper on March 2. Look for a write-up on Ted’s race camp at Mount Hood, Oregon on March 23rd.
As for biking? Well, I’m not yet ready to hang up my skis for the season. I’ll catch you later when the snow melts and the dirt dries out.
Enjoy!
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