Spring skiing: Snowbird sees midwinter snow conditions — in May

Fields said that along with the local traffic, there is a strong showing of out-of-towners. With on-hill cameras and computer access, "it's easy for people to see we have good snow ... and we're getting a lot of interest. Our bookings in the lodges were strong all the way through April and have continued. It's a good time because we have some inexpensive packages for rooms and tickets ... and the skiing is good."

Spring is a time, too, when people have the opportunity to mix activities. That is, ski in the morning and golf, bike, hike, fish or do any number of other activities in the afternoon.

Two resorts have also announced early plans to expand skiing and snowboarding opportunities next year.

Snowbasin Resort will begin construction in June on a detachable quad lift to replace the Little Cat lift, which services beginning terrain. The bottom terminal will be located above Earl's Lodge and the upper terminal will end at the upper parking lot.

Park City Mountain Resort will put in $10.5 million in improvements for the 2008-09 season.

Improvements will include a new high-speed chairlift, terrain enhancements and renovation of the Mid-Mountain Lodge.

The new high-speed Crescent lift will replace and realign the existing Ski Team fixed-grip double chairlift. The new lift will begin near the base of the ski resort and extend to Crescent Ridge, also known as Ski Team Ridge.

It will lessen the load on the PayDay lift during peak times and provide increased access to front-side runs, which are some of the resort's best advanced ski terrain.

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