Spring skiing — Warm weather just what the doctor ordered for spring fever

SNOWBIRD — Spring skiing and snowboarding is very different from winter runs. Some even say it's better. Others say they'd sooner be swinging a golf club when the weather warms. Then there are those who have difficulty choosing between the two, and so they do both.

The spring pattern is skiing or boarding in the morning, then quitting when the snow softens in the early afternoon. With the boots off, it's time for a burger and fries while listening to music on the plaza deck, followed by the drive down the canyon to spend the afternoon doing whatever triggers the fancy, whether it be golfing or biking or working in the yard.

All said, it's not hard to see why spring draws skiers and boarders to the slopes.

Spring is, after all, a time when people can shed the heavy winter clothing. A light sweater, thin gloves and lightweight pants are sufficient. Some even ski in shirtsleeves and shorts.

It's also a time when people can find the prized corn snow, which can only be found in the spring.

It's also a time when skiers and boarders can casually cruise runs that are, for the most part, free of other people.

Best of all, it's a time in the season when Snowbird reduces the price of an all-day pass to $49.

On occasion, spring skiers and boarders even get the opportunity to slip back into winter.

The storm two weeks ago dropped 18 inches of new snow at Snowbird.

And, said Dave Fields, marketing director, "It was cold and the snow was light. Some of those coming off the mountain claimed it was some of the best powder skiing of the season."

"That's the thing about spring. You never know what you're going to get. One day it can be warm, and the snow will soften up in the afternoon, and the next it can be cooler and skiing powder."

Laura Schaffer, communications director, said random surveys show that most of those skiing in the spring are locals, "although we do get destination skiers who come in just for spring skiing.

"We also get people who come to Salt Lake for a convention or business, hear we are still open, and come up to make a few runs."

It has become well known over the past few years that Snowbird offers great spring skiing and that it is one of the last resorts in the country to close. Twice the resort has offered skiing up to July 4th.