MARCH 11, 2010 ISSUE
Lift Ticket
A Column About Skiing and Snowboarding in the High Country
They say things move slower in the High Country, which serves as a perfect excuse for why you haven’t gotten out to the slopes much this winter—this winter to best all winters. But your excuse is seeming flimsy, my friend.
Despite the warmer temperatures of this week, cold temperatures are set to return next week and late-season discounted rates have begun, or will soon begin, at all four of our snowsports resorts. “March Madness” or “Spring Fever Blowout” rates grant access to some of the best conditions we have ever seen in the High Country this late in the season, or even during the season for that matter. No one had to resort to grass skiing this winter, for instance. It’s happened before. But not this winter. It’s been—and is still—an indelibly cold season with copious amounts of snow.
Dozens and dozens of inches of that plentiful snow still coats the landscape at Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort, Hawksnest Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort, and lift tickets are dipping as low as $10 per session. We can now catch a run down White Lightening at Beech for $10 if we go at night or enjoy a $32 twilight session at Sugar. Next week, we’ll be able to snow tube at Hawksnest for as low as $18 per session or skip out of work and purchase a half-day session at Appalachian for $21. For a complete list of discounted rates for all four resorts, click to www.highcountrypress.com/weekly/2010/02-25-10/snowmaggedon.htm.
Concerning conditions, March in the High Country is famous for its “spring corn” skiing. Made popular by French-Swiss Ski College founder Jim Cottrell, spring corn skiing occurs when warmer temperatures during the day match with cold temperatures at night, creating a firm snow base in the morning and a soft snow base in the afternoon.
“It’s very similar to skiing powder—it’s just thicker and slower,” Cottrell explained to me in 2008. “Spring skiing—it’s one of my favorite things,” he continued.
Many spring corn-faithful take to the slopes every March wearing nothing but shorts, a t-shirt and sunglasses while enjoying the unique conditions.
That being said, go play in the snow—while we all still can.
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