Why You’ll Love Spring Skiing and Snowboarding in the Sierras
Four weeks have passed since the vernal equinox, also known as astronomical spring. Or if you’re a weather nerd like me (?), you know that we’re already seven weeks into meteorological spring. And this time of year means that the chill of winter has faded like the serpentine arcs of your fresh powder turns from earlier in the season. But this change doesn’t mean that the fun of sliding on snow is over.
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Although a few resorts in the Sierras closed this last weekend and a bunch more will end their winter operations today, Easter Sunday, don’t pack away your skis and snowboards just yet. (By the way, info on who’ll still be open past Easter Sunday and until when can be found at the end.) So, whether or not you’ve already been enjoying the spring conditions of our nearby winter playgrounds, here’s why you will love skiing and snowboarding right now!
Fewer Crowds and Warmer Weather
First and foremost, it’s way less crowded in the spring! No lines for the lifts and virtually empty slopes provide a more enjoyable and relaxed experience.
Warmer weather means less layers of clothing, so you’ll be more comfortable without the need to bundle up in bulkier and heavier apparel.
Also, dwindling crowds and clear skies also mean no traffic and no weather delays on the roads!
Deals and Discounts Galore!
During the latter weeks of the season, it’s just so much cheaper! Not only can you find special pricing on lift tickets, but you can also often get reduced rates on lessons and lodging.
For example, you can pre-purchase tickets online to ski or ride at Sugar Bowl for up to 55% off the window price. https://shop.sugarbowl.com/l/lift-tickets/c/sugar-bowl-lift-ticket
In addition to their amazing daily ticket specials, Mount Rose also offers a full-day lift ticket for children plus a slice of pizza and a fountain drink for only $59. https://secure.skirose.com/store/CalendarView.aspx?node_id=1600045
Beginning on Monday, April 21st, adult lift tickets to Palisades Tahoe are only $119 when bought online in advance. https://shop.palisadestahoe.com/s/winter-lift-tickets/day-lift-tickets/c/daylifttickets
Donner Ski Ranch offers a plethora of stellar discounts. With your 2024/2025 season pass to any resort, you get a $25 lift ticket plus up to 4 additional $25 tickets for friends and family. Better still are their two upcoming free lift ticket days! On Sunday, April 27th, anyone in a costume can ski or ride on the house, and on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11th, all moms get a complimentary lift ticket.
At Mammoth Mountain, most midweek adult lift tickets in May are as low as $89. https://book.mammothmountain.com/ecomm/shop/calendar/17793040/en-US/?productcategoryid=117
Learning and Improvement for All Skill Levels
We can’t talk about spring skiing and riding without mentioning corn snow. According to Avalanche.org, corn snow is the surface layer of “snow that has matured through multiple iterations of melt-freeze cycles, most often during the springtime.” And this top layer of softened kernels is smooth and edgeable while the underlying layers deeper into the snowpack remain very supportive.
I’ve often heard spring corn referred to as “hero snow.” And I’d have to agree that it, like fresh powder, can make you feel invincible! For first-timers and beginners, the softer and more forgiving spring snow is easier to learn on. For intermediates on up, corn combined with the space of uncrowded slopes and the superb visibility of sunny skies provide ample opportunity to finetune skills and techniques in carving up the mountain.
Unique Experiences and Fun Vibes
While we relish powder days and storm sessions in winter, we should also welcome these longer days with more sunlight in spring. On Fridays and Saturdays at Mount Rose, for instance, select lifts run until 6pm. https://skirose.com/open-late/ Bluebird skies and a healthy snowpack translate to an overall fun vibe on the mountain. Whether it’s enjoying libations on the sundecks and snow beaches at your favorite mountain or tailgating and grilling up tasty grub in the parking lot, a revived aura of appreciation blossoms as the end of the skiing and riding season approaches.
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In the spring, the resorts ratchet up the social experience of our winter sports passion by holding some of the most lively and entertaining events of the year. From live music performances to pond skims, this time of year ushers in an atmosphere of celebration!
And speaking of pond skimming and festive vibes, remember that on Sunday, May 4th, the SnowPals casual meetup will be going down during the 33rd Annual Cushing Crossing at Palisades Tahoe. Full details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/palisades-tahoes-pond-skimming-event-w-snowpalsdotorg-tickets-1329303064249
Extend Your Season
As you can see, spring skiing and snowboarding offer a unique blend of fun, relaxation and adventure, making it an affordable and worthwhile experience for skiers and riders of all levels.
And for those with Ikon, Epic, and other passes, take advantage of the opportunities for an endless winter by traveling to the resorts in the Southern Hemisphere available with your season pass! The winter season in locales such as Chile, Australia and New Zealand typically runs from June to October.
Closing Dates (Note that all dates are subject to change due to snow conditions)
Bear Valley, Boreal, Diamond Peak, Granlibakken, Heavenly, June Mountain, Kirkwood, Northstar, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Soda Springs: 4/20
Mount Rose: 4/27 but will be closed 4/21 through 4/23 before resuming on 4/24
Sugar Bowl: 4/27 but will be closed 4/21 through 4/24 before resuming on 4/25
Alpine Meadows-Palisades Tahoe: 4/27
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Donner Ski Ranch: 5/11 but weekends only after 4/20
Mammoth Mountain: 5/26 but starting on 4/21, lift hours will be from 7:30a to 2:00p
Olympic Valley-Palisades Tahoe: 5/26 (Stay tuned for a potential shift in lift hours here too, as it’s been typical in my experience there over the years.)
Guest Author’s Profile
Cliff Lastrella is a longtime SnowPals member since the early days when the listserv was on Yahoo Groups as Bay Area Skiers & Snowboarders (BASS). An advanced snowboarder from Vallejo, he frequents both the Alpine Meadows and Olympic Valley sides with his Palisades Tahoe resorts only pass as well as Bear Valley with his Cali Pass, which also allows him a few days a season at Sierra-at-Tahoe via its Powder Alliance membership. Bay Area born and bred, Cliff has been snowboarding since Spring 1997, though he has skied once in his life while still in high school back when an aforementioned resort was still called Sierra Ski Ranch. He doesn’t really have an off-season fix, but year-round, he routinely strength trains and walks/hikes to stay in shape. And on occasion, Cliff also shreds some very mellow hills in his neighborhood on his ancient Freebord (think snowboarding on the street). He considers himself a novice Freeborder, as he’s nowhere close to the amazing skill level seen in this brief YouTube video: Freebord Explained
Love to ski, ride? Join SnowPals to meet SF Bay Area Sacto & Lake Tahoe area skiers, snowboarders (who are working professionals, college students and retirees) for skiing/riding plus tap into group discounts on season passes, lift ticket deals and powder hound trips that are not only unique but fun. Share this post with family and friends to tell them about us. Thanks!
– Photo credit: MML-Modifyit 
