Previously posted on my Thrillhead Blog
Temperatures have been in the 60’s and 70’s along the Front Range. Even this weekend in Crested Butte, temperatures were high enough to get those huge snowbanks melting sadly away. I’ve found myself wearing my light shell jacket with less layers underneath. The buses were crowded with tourists on Spring Break. The calendar may not read that it’s spring yet, but when March hits, it’s springtime in the ski season.
I can’t believe it’s March already, and the ski season is over half done! It seems like only a few weeks ago I was enjoying day after day of light fluffy powder during my Christmas break. Now, the powder is changing, becoming heavier and stickier. Another sign that spring is here. The powder doesn’t stick around for long now, as warmer temperatures quickly melt it into the existing snowpack.
This winter the snow has been pounding the mountains nearly incessantly. This has made backcountry outings few and far between as the snowpack was often unstable, and we were busy enjoying the continuous powder-filled runs at the resort. But, with spring, the weather changes. And even after it snows the snowpack can be more stable with the warmer temperatures.
Due to the incessant snow, this winter has shaped up a lot differently than last. By this time last year I had skied five fourteeners (including one on March 4th). This year I haven’t skied a single one. Well, dang it, it’s time to ski some fourteeners!
Frank and I had a great backcountry outing yesterday. It felt good to get out. I’ve worked on my skiing at the resort, and now I am resort-satiated, for lack of a better word. This weekend’s weather is shaping up nicely for a fourteener ski. So, stay tuned!
