Happy Equinox! We’ve been feeling spring for a long time here in the Yampa Valley, and now it’s official. It’s another beautiful day; the sun’s blazing, the slopes are already warming up, and the skiing gets better with every run.

I was out bright and early this sunny morning. While the first runs were on crispy corduroy, any slopes in direct sunlight were already softening up and getting carvy. Upper High Noon and Sunshine Lift Line had super nice slices of cord, and Elkhead Lift Line was already looking soft from the lift.

Follow the sun for your morning runs and it will be nice and carveable. I stuck to groomers, but by the afternoon, everything will soften up. Yesterday’s late afternoon runs down Vagabond, Ted’s Ridge and Surprise offered the perfect degree of softness and hero bumps that could make anyone feel like a rippin’ mogul skier.

When the sun kissed runs start to get sticky, go to the Storm Peak side and more north-facing slopes. Storm Peak Face and any of the Chutes off Morningside hold up even on the warmest days.

The equinox officially means the time twice a year when day and night are nearly equal. From a spiritual perspective, it’s a time when dark and light are equally balanced, and the signal of a time of rebirth and creativity. From a mountain perspective, it means you can fit in a few hours of skiing, a hike or bike ride, and some late afternoon grilling all before the sun goes down. It’s hard to beat these sunny days!

For those craving a little more winter, (yes, please!), we could be transitioning to snow as early as Wednesday. Check the forecast, and here’s hoping!

Happy skiing, riding and celebrating!

Jessica Berg, Alpine skier

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