SPRING FLING
Sunshine, Softer Snow, Long Days Make Spring Skiing, Snowboarding Ideal

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Crystal Mountain, Michigan, may have an official "Spring Fling" celebration in mid-March every year, but at Crystal and ski areas across the Midwest, every spring skiing and snowboarding day can feel like a celebration. Many Midwest regional destination ski areas remain open through the end of March and some stay open into April, allowing guests to enjoy perhaps the season's best condition. "We still have a lot of snow," says Crystal's Brian Lawson. "There are bluebird skies, sunshine and nice, soft snow. It's a great time to ski and snowboard."

Those same traits also make spring skiing and snowboarding desirable for first-timers. "We get a lot of newcomers in March and April," says Jessica Polich, from Ski Brule on Michigan's U.P. "It's such a positive experience to be out there in shirt sleeves and sunglasses, with soft snow and warm temperatures."

One of the keys to springtime skiing and snowboarding fun is to be aware of the sun and the ski area's exposure. During the spring, snow tends to freeze at night and be hard first thing in the morning. Wait for it to soften up and then "follow the sun" around the area as the sun's warmth progressively softens up snow on different runs, depending on their exposure to the sun.

At Lutsen, Minnesota, on the north shore of Lake Superior, longtime marketing director Jim Vick has mastered the art of following the sun, knowing which runs to ski at what time. "Spring skiing is my favorite time of the year," he says. "The days are longer, the sun is high in the sky, the snow is soft and it just feels good to be outside."

Many Midwest regional destination ski areas have their rites of springs, with special events that take advantage of the long, sunny days and plentiful snow.  At Ski Brule's annual mid-March spring carnival, known as the "Brule Bash," hundreds show up wearing costumes and receive free lift tickets. Families get into the spirit-last year a family dressed up as the "Wizard of Oz" characters. "It's all about being outside and having fun in the snow," says Polich. "We have a Moon Bounce for the kids, sled dog races, skydivers, mattress races and snow volleyball. People come back year after year for it."

Crystal Mountain hosts its "Spring Fling" in mid-March with its "Cardboard Classic" race and "Slush Cup." In the Cardboard Classic, racers build a sled using only cardboard and duct tape. "People work on the sleds all year," says Lawson. "They're judged on creativity and speed, and it's a lot of fun." In the Slush Cup, a 30-foot-wide, waist-deep hole is dug at the bottom of a Crystal run and filled with water and slush. Skiers and snowboarders hit the hole at high speed and try to skim across the water. "It's a festive, fun atmosphere with the competitors wearing costumes-everything from Superman to a leprechaun."

Michigan's Indianhead also has its rites of spring, including the annual Bikini Race, which draws more than 1,000 spectators. The slalom race, featuring 24 women in bikinis, has been held every March for more than 30 years. "People love spring skiing and snowboarding," says Debra Carey, Indianhead's Guest Services Manager. "You have the sun on your face and soft snow."

Efficient snowmaking has given Midwest ski areas the ability to start the season earlier, provide more consistent conditions during the season and stay open longer into the spring. Resorts like Crystal Mountain and Boyne Highlands (both in northern lower Michigan) and Giants Ridge in Minnesota have historically offered their guests extended seasons.

In addition to making large quantities of machine-made snow to build up their bases, Indianhead, Ski Brule and Lutsen also have the advantage of substantial lake-effect natural snow. At Lutsen, a full 40 percent of its business comes after March 1. "We have stayed open into April for more than 20 years and we have a proven reputation," says Lutsen's Vick. "People know that we will have the snow."

There have been years when Ski Brule has pushed spring skiing to the extreme, as it did in the spring of 1996 when it was able to stay open until May 15. Tyrol Basin Ski Area in Wisconsin actually extends its season into the summer-sort of. After the area closes in late spring, employees push the remaining machine-made snow from their slopes and half-pipe into a large pile and cover it with a baseball field tarp the area got from the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. In June, the pile is uncovered and a new half-pipe built, much to the delight of skiers and snowboarders from across the region.

For more information on Midwest ski areas and to find a ski area near you, visit snowplaces.com.