And even when the snow starts to slush, skiing and snowboarding need not be as burdensome as some skiers make it. Properly preparing the skis and boards for spring conditions can help. When the snow is wet, perfectly flat ski bases will create a suction underfoot that can cause skis to grab. This can be eliminated by putting the skis on a stone grinder. The grinder puts small grooves in the bases that look something like the grooves in a record. The grooves will help break up the suction.

Skiers and snowboarders will find wax won't stay on for very long on sunny days and under spring conditions will pick up dirt. The dirt should be taken off with a good base cleaner each night and the skis rewaxed with a good warm temperature wax.? Properly prepared, the skis and snowboards will slide more easily over the wet snow. Another trick is to put wax on the bases in a zig-zag fashion to break up the smooth surface.

Spring is not a time to quit skiing and snowboarding, it's simply a time to prepare for it and to follow the sun.

Closing dates

Alta — April 13, 18-20
Brian Head — April 13
Beaver — Closed
Brighton — April 20
The Canyons — April 13
Deer Valley — April 13
Park City Mountain Resort — April 13
Powder Mountain — April 20
Snowbasin — April 20
Snowbird — May 26
Solitude — April 13
Sundance — April 5
Wolf Mountain — April 12

---

E-mail: grass@desnews.com