Mashed Potatoes and gravy

While most people think of skiing and snowboarding as Winter sports, you may be able to ride into the Spring in some areas.

Spring riding has its advantages:

• Lower prices for day tickets;
  
• Fewer people on the slopes means more room to roam without interference;
  
• No bitter cold, either on the slopes or in the parking lot as you assemble your gear;
  
• Increased learning opportunities as you adjust to the changes in terrain and snow;
  
• Migrating birds that have returned from southern migrations and mountain steams that are thawing provide a new audio experience on the chairlift;
• Travel to and from the mountain won't be a white knuckle experience, since you'll be driving on dry roads or flying in clear weather.

But there are disadvantages of Spring riding as well:

• Some terrain may be marked closed because of thin snow coverage;
  
• Some of the lifts may be closed, meaning that you have to choose your routes carefully;
  
• The snow an move from soft and wet to hard and icy from afternoon to early evening;
  
• You may stink, literally, due to increased sweating in higher temperatures.

So why bother? with Spring snowboarding

• It's still snow!
• Your expertise as a snowboarder will increase the more that you ride in variable terrain and variable conditions.

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
The key to successful Spring riding is to make adjustments.

• Change your clothing ensemble to include fewer layers. If you're overheated, you probably won't enjoy riding. Consider a lighter pair of snow pants, or wear ski shorts over your base layer. Your helmet may have an insert that you can take out for increased breathability.
• Softer snow will give a slower ride, so ride steeper slopes than you normally do. You might even explore the terrain park. Falling in the halfpipe (an essential part of learning in the halfpipe) for example, is easier on softer snow.
• Be ready to respond to a variety of conditions within a single run down the mountain; a slick spot in the shade may give way to a pile of slush or chopped up snow.
• Anticipate whether you will ride over a pile of accumulated snow, or ride through it.
• Get up early. The snow may become unrideable by late afternoon, so get to the slopes early to maximize your on-snow time.