Don’t get me wrong… there are perks to Spring skiing but, I won’t lie… it is NOT my favorite time of year to get out on the hill with lil’ rippers. WHY? Because right around the time we have mastered the art of bundling up and finding our comfort zone with Winter… Spring rolls around the corner and throws all new variables into the mix, and I’ll tell you what’s NOT fun… sticky skis and overheated kids!

However, I’m never quite ready to give up skiing and I’ve discovered that with a little extra forethought, we can enjoy family skiing, through Spring break and beyond.

4 Tips for surviving Spring Skiing Conditions

• Do most of your skiing between 10:00am and 1:00pm! In the Spring we don’t make plans to get up to the mountain too early or stay on the hill too late. Of course there are a few variables that come into play but, in general… the snow will be “bullet proof” in the morning, soften up enough to carve around 10:00am and then proceed to become way to warm and slushy sometime after 1:00pm. But, if you catch it right… miles of smiles can be earned during those prime Spring skiing hours.

• Wax those skis! Something is better than nothing but, preferably you will use a “warm weather” wax this time of year. Having them professionally waxed is nice but a rub-on wax is sufficient for the day and easy to find/apply if you need it at the last minute. The purpose of the wax is to help your bases repel that slushy, wet snow and keep your skis gliding across the surface. You know it’s time for a Spring wax when your skis start to feel “sticky”. Skiing in “sticky” conditions is a leg burner and a spirit crusher… a little wax can go a long way towards keeping everyone’s spirits up.

• Wear the sunblock and pack the water! The increase in temperature and exposure to the sun can take a toll on our winterized bodies. The two things we tend to forget with the change of season is the extra need for sunblock on exposed skin and extra water to keep us hydrated. It may increase the need for bathroom breaks BUT, dehydration is risky business this time of year. Be sure your lil’ ripper consumes water before going to the hill, takes water breaks on the hill and packs a full water bottle for the ride home.

• Practice the layer method! Surprisingly, keeping the body at a comfortable temperature, while exercising in the mountains, can be much harder in the Spring than it is in the Winter. Mainly because the weather can change drastically from one hour to the next. Morning temps are often below freezing, while afternoon temps can have you stripping down to a t-shirt. This is the time of year my lil’ rippers want to wear hoodies instead of jackets. Taking the time to layer up and down whenever necessary will help to keep everone comfortable.