We all  love to cruise those deliciously carvable groomed runs under the sunshine, but in the springtime, the conditions on your favorite run can change dramatically throughout the day. It can take a little bit of strategy to  find enjoyable turns all day long. Locals and loyals have it figured out, and here are some tips on ‘how I ski it’:

Early in the day, the front side can be quite…well…FIRM. That’s why we chase the sun over to the South side of the mountain.

The Lakeview runs tend to soften up first, and there’s a nice variety to choose from.

This is what we’re looking for, snow that’s carvable but not yet sticky.

Choosing the lift line or Dropline can be a good move a few runs in. If things start to get a little sticky, the extra steepness allows gravity to help you keep your speed up.

(Plus, who doesn’t love the view of Payette Lake and Long Valley???)

Just when the Lakeview runs are getting a little mushy, 45th Parallel starts to really hit its stride.

A few hours earlier, and this run was not NEARLY as relaxing.

The Bear Chair runs also offer a lot of choices. I like to start on those that get the most sun, then move farther North where they have had the most shade.

By early afternoon, the Frontside starts to strut its stuff. Engen and Alpine were skiing great by 1:00 pm. I just love rippin’ some high-speed turns down those nice, consistent fall lines.

Alpine stayed divine a little longer than Engen, mainly because you don’t have to navigate any flats at the bottom. (That can be a little tricky when it gets a little sticky.)

Overall, we found plenty of runs that kicked up that perfect, carvable, ‘hero slush’. But by mid-afternoon, plenty of people chose to be heroes on a different kind of run: the beer run.

And with sunshine and gorgeous views to spare…who can blame them for celebrating a day well skied???

— April