With the weather wildly vacillating between 30 and 40 degree temperatures at night and 80 degree temperatures during the day it’s easy to forget that the local ski areas may still be operational. Warm days and a lack of snow in your neighborhood may not be a strong indicator of what is happening on the ski slopes. While we might not be getting fresh snow, which could be because of the time of year or climate change, there is often enough snow that was a gift of mother nature as natural snow or created as artificial snow in peak cold temperatures to allow the snowpack to last well into warmer temperatures. To really answer the question “Is it too warm to ski?” we’ll have to dig deeper and consider a few others to arrive at the nuanced answer.
Are you a ski resort(s) skier?
If you enjoy your sliding down using gravity to assist you and the mechanical power of a lift to carry you up the mountain then the answer to this question may be all you need. Ski areas and ski resorts operate seasonally and most have websites that you can easily look up conditions and if the lifts are running. My home hill has a snow conditions page that can help most ski areas do. Often times the mountain websites have a camera where you can get a visual for what it looks like. Looks can be deceiving though, and something to keep in mind is that spring skiing can lead to variable conditions.
A few words on variable conditions:
If temperatures dropped below freezing over night the snow may be hard packed, firm, and fast snow in the morning. As someone who grew up in the New York area I like the firm and fast snow created by the freeze thaw cycle, but with sunny weather that is not guaranteed to stick around. When the warm temperatures of mid day hit the snow will start to melt. If you time it just right as it starts there will be soft snow that is easy to edge and great for practicing carving. If the snow melts quickly though you are in for a different kind of snow. It can be sticky snow, slushy snow, and even wet snow. I love this stuff for taking calculated risks because it makes for a cushioned landing, but heavy slush can be difficult to turn in. I recommend using peak season to take some lessons, not just because I am an instructor, but also because learning to handle any snow conditions will offer you more options for having fun. If you want you can read more technical terms and descriptions for snow here. While you may still be wondering, “what’s the ideal temperature or best conditions?” The answer lies in what you enjoy.
Will you be earning your turns?
If you are open to earning your turns through touring, just because lift operations close doesn’t mean their isn’t plenty of snow to enjoy. A word of caution here, in most cases there are no ski patrol to help you out of trouble if you find it once the lifts stop spinning. Knowing that helps me know the value of knowledge gained from a wilderness first responder course and having a partner. For now we stick to our local ski area. We are familiar with the terrain and know our easiest way down if conditions are not ideal. We know we have cell service so if there was an unexpected incident or injury we can call for help. We know where spring streams can first melt snow and where snow bridges may form. We also know which parts are usually bombed for avalanches during the season. Neither of us have had the chance to take an AIARE course about avalanches yet so it is important to acknowledge our ignorance and stick to areas that we know are not prone to avalanches. If you want to have confidence in touring beyond known low to no risk zones you can read more about avalanche safety courses.
How will you earn your turns?
If you already have your own equipment starting to earn your turns can happen with minimal investment. You can boot pack up carrying your gear, although that can be pretty difficult. A few pieces of equipment can change the experience. Snowshoes can make it easer to climb the mountain. A backpack can allow you to strap your favorite skis/ski boots or board to your back comfortable. How you dress should be considered. I recommend a moisture wicking base layers. In my backpack I keep a soft shell and rain shell so that if your warm weather gets pushed out by some cold weather. On the sunny days, and even overcast, I wear sunscreen. It’s easy to forget the sun’s light reflects off the snow and can intensify your exposure.
📸 credit to Brandon Bock
In addition to show shoeing or boot packing up during late season, you have the option to invest in a touring setup. Split boards and AT skis can be a lot of fun and eliminates the need to carry your sliders up as they will be attached to your feet. I am still a novice in this arena and will direct you to these resources for splitboarding and backcountry skiing if that piques your interest.
Is it too warm to ski?
Never! If you are willing to educate yourself, choose the appropriate location, and are willing to work for it you may find you still have options. If you prefer lift access and want to take a ski trip, Timberline in Oregon is projected to be open until late summer. If not, Big Snow American Dream is the only indoor ski area in the U.S. My home hill closed yesterday. We have enough snow that I might try to sneak in one more, but my ski season is likely over as I switch to summer mode and take off for my next adventure on Friday. Unless… Mt. Rainier will still have snow when I get back in August…