Spring skiing: being at the right spot at the right time

I have discussed many times the variability inherent with the sport of skiing and must say that spring skiing adds a lot to the complexity and the number of variables when a skier sets out to make the best of their time. 

It starts with the classic admonition “follow the sun” which is meant to ski in priority areas where the sun has been shinning (thus softening the snow) for a while, but that’s not enough, if the snow was frozen stiff overnight, there are days and spots where it never softens up.

Same thing if the sun is anemic and fails to impact the snow. Conversely, if night temperatures were to warm the snow decomposes too fast and is rotten slush for most of the day. 

This is why there is never any guarantees with spring skiing whether it means that there will be any good moments or how wide open the window of time for these “sweet spots” we all look for will be. 

Good fortune, not rigid planning, is finally what shapes spring skiing