When the slush is soft and the sun is warm, nothing beats The Slot in Vail's Sun Up Bowl.
Some people just can't wait to strip down to shorts.
A skier sports a light jacket over a T-shirt while making turns down Vail's Ramshorn.
Spring is a great time to soak up some rays and views at Buffalo's at the top of Sun Down Bowl.
March is not shaping up to head out like a lamb. Maybe it’s got something to do with the early Equinox, but cold or warm, spring is finally upon us.
There are a few rules to live by, as far as spring skiing and snow conditions, so let us give you a heads up.
Easter weekend came early this year and the Spring Break crowds are out in force, so the first order of business is to be safe and respectful on the mountain. This means alternating in lift lines, looking uphill before traversing or cutting across a slope and skiing/riding in control.
With warmer temperatures (though by no means tropical), there are some other tidbits you should know about the snow in Vail.
- The Sun’s work
Because temperatures are warmest in the afternoon, the south-facing runs, including Vail’s Back Bowls, have a tendency to get cooked this time of year. If it’s warm and sunny, this means incredible, soft and watery slush in the afternoon. It also means that this same area is about as bullet-proof and rutted as a barbecue grill in the morning and should be avoided by anyone who values his/her knee cartilage.
- The famous front side
Or is it Vail’s Back Bowls that are famous? We suppose the whole mountain, in all of its monstrosity, has made quite a name for itself. For spring skiing, the front side is the place to be for the majority of the day. Groomers are your best friends. Check the grooming report in the morning to see where to go.
- Bullet-proof by morning, supple by afternoon
We reiterate … This rule only applies to the Back Bowls if the sun is out and the temperatures are warm. We haven’t seen a lot of that this March. If there happens to be six inches or more of snow, hit the bowls in the morning. Otherwise, wait until a sunny afternoon.
- Beaver Creek by spring
We are huge fans of the Beav. In the spring, it doesn’t get cooked as quickly as Vail because it has primarily north and east-facing runs. Those east-facing runs, however, do get affected by the sun the fastest. We’re talking about Larkspur Bowl and Rose Bowl, primarily. The Beav is the place to be for long mogul runs (Grouse Mountain and Birds of Prey) and free cookies.
- How to dress
We’ve all seen those hair brains running around in Bermuda shorts and tank tops this time of year. We highly discourage you from joining this crowd. Don’t let the sun fool you, because it’s still plenty cold on top of the mountain and you should definitely wear a jacket with a couple of heavy layers underneath an, waterproof pants over at least a base layer. Sunscreen is vital this time of year. And no, it’s not warm enough to go hatless. Wear something to keep your ears warm. We suggest a helmet … especially among the Spring Break crowds.
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