Head to the mountains in March and April for themed parties, comps, music, and sun on the snow
Cover photo courtesy of Whitefish Mountain Resort
By Bri Loveall
The thought of spring skiing brings certain images to mind: the infamous pond skim, wild costume-themed parties, competitions resplendent with outdoor music and entertainment, and the thrill of hitting the slopes without a balaclava and heated gloves.
Expectations of a powder day may not be the first thing you think of when planning a vitamin D-infused spring ski outing, yet March tends to provide some of the best snowpack during the season as well as some surprising powder dumps. With warmer (and better) weather, fewer crowds, and more events at the resorts, March just might be the best month to hit the slopes.
Competitions for All (even your dog!)
Whether you’re new to skiing or snowboarding or a seasoned veteran, spring is the perfect time to push outside your comfort zone and sign up for a competition (or two). Some favorite local competitions are the banked slalom races offered at Silver Mountain (March 1), Mt. Spokane (March 8) and the Snow Ghost Banked Slalom at Schweitzer (March 29-30). A short drive farther north will get you up to RED Mountain for two days of what’s promised as some of the “jankiest banked slalom racing you’ve ever seen” at the Rattlecat Cup March 8-9.
Banked slalom is a manually-shaped, twisting course that got its start in 1985 with a group of snowboarders at Mt. Baker. In the decades since, it has grown exponentially, providing an opportunity for all levels of ski and snowboard riders to try out a different aspect of a familiar sport while keeping things fun.
If you’re looking for a different kind of challenge, you can register for the Chewelah Peak Challenge Fat Tire Bike Race at 49 Degrees North on March 9. This 7k race on the lower trail system includes access to demo bikes from the North Division Cycle shop. Even your dog can get in on the comp action at the Wiener Takes All Dog Race at Red Mountain March 15. Dogs race in a fully-fenced corral with different heats determined by age, weight, and breed. Hot dogs and beer will be served up all day on the RED Deck. And volleyball aficionados won’t want to miss the two-day Spring Spike-Off snow-volleyball tournament at Schweitzer March 22 and 29.
Parties, Tunes, Snow-Sliding Shenanigans & All Things Food & Drink
There is a certain amount of whimsy that imbues spring at ski resorts. Perhaps it’s the longer days and vitamin D, but spring brings about a sense of optimism and playfulness we continue to find even on the snow-covered mountains. With spring’s balmier temps, it’s possible to shed some layers and spend less time in the lodge and more of the day out on the snow celebrating spring!
Helping us maintain this spirit of cheer are all of the costume and themed parties our local mountains are dishing up. With Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day both happening in March, there are several different (and delicious) opportunities to get into the spring skiing spirit.
Head up to 49 Degrees North on March 8 for a Mardi Gras-inspired seafood boil. Registration for this event is highly recommended and includes a smorgasbord of southern goodies like shrimp, Dungeness crab, little neck clams, crawfish, corn on the cob, andouille sausage, and red potatoes, served alongside hush puppies and homemade beignets (a French doughnut worthy of being its own food group). Live music will accompany this awesome event.
On March 15, guests can score beads at the base of the Gondola at Silver Mountain to help get you in the party mood. Costumes are highly encouraged (think feather boas and tinsel) and will definitely help set the atmosphere of some good ole New Orleans fun. Moguls will be serving up a Mardi Gras-inspired menu with options like gumbo, hush puppies, po’boys, and more, as well as live music from 1-4 p.m.
Then, just two days later on March 17, head on over to Lookout Pass for the resort’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Wear your green and plan to get your fill of corned beef with cabbage on rye bread. While you may not find a four-leaf clover, we’re sure you’ll find some fun.
Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Brewfest is a celebration of regional craft brews that’s going down March 29. Enjoy brews from around the region while supporting the public S.N.O.W. Bus that provides free public transportation in town and up to the mountain.
On April 5 and 6, 49 Degrees North will throw it’s Out Like a Lion Music Festival. This outdoor festival offers two jam-packed days of live music and awesome dining experiences. Expect great tunes and delicious Hawaiian-inspired eats like Kahlua pork, garlic chicken, and sticky rice, as well as sweet treats like Haupia (a gluten free coconut pudding) and malasadas.
Once again Schweitzer plans to close out the season with the resort’s Schpring Finale April 12 and 13. Come prepared for creative contests and good times and vibes that in past years have included a cardboard box derby, yellow snow eating contest for kids, live music, and plenty of revelry and other shenanigans.
Family Fun Events
While March is the official start to spring skiing, we especially love the family friendly events happening in April as the season wraps up. The unofficial bonus of spring skiing, of course, is wrestling your kids into one or two less layers than normal. With the change in weather, it’s even easier to get kids excited about being outdoors.
Spend the week of spring break saving up your cardboard boxes for the Lookout Pass Cardboard Box Derby and Luau on April 13. Participants will bring their own boxcars made entirely from cardboard boxes and duct tape (boxcars can be decorated with paint and markers) to slide down the mountain in. Prizes will be given for most unique and best themed boxcars. Guests can also expect live music, Hawaiian-themed lunch options, as well as flower leis and party beads.
On April 20, end the last day of the season at Lookout Pass with an Easter Egg Hunt. Several hundred eggs are filled with candies and different prizes and placed in spots that vary in terrain and difficulty level. Eggs are replenished throughout the day so that everyone (adults included) gets the chance to score a basketful of goodies.
The Infamous Pond Skim
If there is one final iconic cultural happening in the world of spring skiing, let it be the pond skim. The pond skim has purportedly been around since the 1920s, when resorts used it as a way to extend the ski season. The event culminates all of our favorite spring skiing events into one, with costumes, outdoor music, and the thrill of competition.
This year, join the fun at 49 Degrees North for their annual Hawaiian Daze Slush Cup Pond Skim on March 22. After a short downhill section, participants skim across a shallow pond (if you can make it that far) to reach the snow on the other side. This event includes snow golf, a silent auction, poker run, scavenger hunt, costume contest, live music, and 49’s famous Hawaiian burgers. Proceeds from the day go directly toward the 49 Degrees North Ski Patrol. Don’t miss the final pond skims of the season at Whitefish Mountain Resort as part of the resort’s closing weekend festivities and the Slush Cup at RED Mountain in Rossland, B.C., both happening April 5.
With the promise of more powder days, warmer temps, and fun events like these, we can confidently say spring is the best time to get out there and enjoy the snow.
Bri Loveall previously wrote about her children attending Club Shred for ski lessons and is happy to report that they have successfully managed to get off the bunny hill.
