Spring Skiing and Riding!

Posted At : March 4, 2008 11:35 AM | Posted By : Skinh
Related Categories: equipment,deals,weather,snowboarding,skiing

Since we just got up to another 3 feet of snow last week, I may be jumping the gun talking about spring skiing and riding! Regardless, it looks like we'll have the deep base we need to keep the season going for an incredible spring of skiing and riding in New Hampshire so we might as well throw it out there.

Working and living in the middle of NH ski areas, I have never understood the empty slopes on sunny spring days. Don't get me wrong it's awesome for me to enjoy personally, but I just don't get why people don't take advantage of the warm weather, cheaper prices, and no lift lines? I also love the soft snow, it may not be as good as a powder day, but it is soft snow once the temps rise in the morning and I'll take that over our more "firm" mid-winter days anytime.

Obviously part of it has to be the fact that many people enjoy golf, boating, yard work, children's sports leagues etc. With the exception of this winter, many recent winters have had a slow start and then an unbelievable spring season. Even with monster spring snow storms, people will stop coming out around mid-March.

We know there's not much we can do on our end to convince people to come if they have other plans or hobbies, but I make spring skiing a priority, like powder days. It's hard to beat skiing in a sweatshirt all morning and then having a beer in the sun mid-afternoon.

If you're thinking of getting any spring days in, be sure to keep checking our Great Deals section at SkiNH.com, they'll be deals popping up regularly now as the ski areas do all they can to "bribe" you to come on up. Enjoy the warm weather whenever it shows up!

-Karl

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I hear ya! Spring skiing is awesome! Last year my last day of skiing was April 20 at Brettonwoods. I must have skied a dozen days between the end of March and the end of April.

It is a bummer that more people don’t turn out. Without enough bodies on the slopes the ski resorts can’t generate enough $$$ to justify staying open!

I think the ski areas really need to cut lift prices to make it irresistible for anyone to pass up great spring skiing. Having lived my entire life in NH, I recognize that most skiers have dismissed spring skiing after years of poor natural snow. The resorts need to really work on getting those skiers reacquainted with the amazing fun of warm days and cold snow and brew!!!
See you on the slopes!

# Posted By granola911 | 3/5/08 7:55 AM

I second what granola911 said in his/her post. The snow was *fabulous*
last spring. After granola911's last day, my family kept skiing. Four feet
of new snow at Sugarloaf (I know, not NH, but...) and countless days at
Wildcat. Soft, sweet snow, BBQ on the deck, sunshine. Our last day was
May 6 at Wildcat.

The biggest problem we have is the ski areas, in NH and elsewhere, are closing earlier and earlier due to decisions made by their ceo's way before the season even begins. Bretton Woods used to be one of the earliest places open and latest places to close. No more. It's just, I'm assuming, financially not possible to stay open due to a lack of non-passholding skiers and revenue.

Enjoy the spring snow!

# Posted By nlg | 3/8/08 7:23 AM

My first season after moving here in 02 I headed to Mt. Snow on April 10th and the mountain had a nice fresh dusting and the trails were awesome under a bluebird sky! Last year it was Wildcat on the 20th of April and except for some patches at the base the runs were tops. I love the transition from hardpack in the early morning to soft runs by 11 to pushing slush by one(then it's bar time anyway!). I feel for the skiers who missed out on all the late, great dumps that hit N.E. last season making for some excellent SPRING SKIING!!

# Posted By Johnny5 | 3/9/08 8:11 PM

We're heading to Cathedral Ledge next week for a blast of winter and maybe some 'spring' skiing. Rather than freeze while riding lifts, I'd like to know which ski resorts have a gondola?
Temperatures are all relative to what you're accustom to and 50 degrees is quite chilly to Floridians. (while 80 degrees is comfortable & not hot at all). We're looking forward to hiking
and rediscovering New England spring.
Here in north Florida the azaleas are finished blooming and daffodills are blooming.
Besides the gondola question; which ski resort would be best for us folks who haven't been on slopes in number of years?

# Posted By JaxBeach | 3/21/08 9:32 AM

To Jax Beach, If you haven't already arrived in N.E. Only 2 areas in N.H. have gondola's, Loon and Cannon(60 passanger tram) Several Vermont areas have gondola's/trams and I don't believe Maine has any. Either way, if it isn't windy the high speed quads are fast and comfortable riding and all the major areas have them. As for myself I am heading to Bretton Woods Friday for my first ski trip of the season. After a motorcycle accident at the end of September I am strong enough to hit the slopes after missing what surely must have been THE BEST SKI SEASON IN EONS!!!! I have been logging on to ski sites all season and lamenting my fate but am looking forward to eaking out a few trips before the end of the season. Happy Spring Skiing To All!!!

# Posted By johnny 5 | 3/25/08 6:19 PM

Skied Bretton Friday for $9.25! Thanks to "The River" radio station! The conditions were excellent thanks to a few inches of freshies on top of a solid - though sometimes icy base. I stuck to the greens and blues since it was my first time out since my bike crash but my son had a blast in the glades!! My first time skiing Bretton and I enjoyed it.I am checking out area web pages for a trip later this week if the warm up doesn't hurt to bad. Looking for good deals if any one has insights. It is still a great season out there!!!

# Posted By johnny 5 | 3/31/08 3:33 PM

Hello New Hampshire, glad to hear the slopes have plenty of snow.
I am on my way next week for 5 fun filled days in the White Mountains.
Coming in from Alabama I really try to tout your area as much as possible as
I have been skiing your area since 1995. You really need to advertise spring
conditions more in the south as there are many who are not aware. See you
next week.

# Posted By Mike Fisher | 4/2/08 5:53 PM

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