The Spring Skiing Season Has Begun

It's now the beginning of April, which means the spring skiing season has officially begun in New England. Unfortunately, early April is usually the time when the big ski areas close. They still have plenty of snow, but most people would rather be golfing or gardening when the days get warmer and longer, so most areas close down for the season. I've checked online, and tons of ski areas in northern New England have already stopped spinning their lifts. I certainly could go to Wildcat in New Hampshire, or Killington in Vermont for some late-season turns, but there's another, more intruiging option: Tuckerman Ravine. Each spring for the past several years, I've strapped my skis to my backpack and hiked up to Tuckerman's - a wild backcountry bowl high up on New Hampshire's Mount Washington. There are no lifts to get there - just leg power. I've been trying to plan a trip up there this spring, but the weather hasn't been too cooperative. To ensure a really successful trip to Tuckerman Ravine, you need nice, warm weather and sunny skies. The nice weather makes for soft snow, which is an essential component to ensuring a safe and fun trip to the mountains. For the past few weeks, however, we've had rain and chilly temperatures. While it wasn't a big deal in Boston, high atop Mount Washington the conditions have created hard-packed snow, which is not at all conducive to a nice backcountry skiing experience. I'll have to keep my eyes on the forecast. Once I see a break in the weather and some warmer temperatures, I'll get into my car and drive up north to the mountain.