In case you missed it—Beartooth Basin is officially opening this summer for the first time in three years! And they’re not the only ones keeping the stoke alive. Mammoth Mountain announced they’ll stay open until the snow melts, which means you can count on at least a few more weeks of skiing and riding into June! We always get the same question around this time: “Is the snow even good this late in the season?” Answer: Absolutely! It’s that dreamy spring stuff we call corn snow—smooth, fast, and seriously fun. Honestly, it’s one of our favorite conditions of the entire year.
Of course you can’t really guarantee weather. But under normal conditions, there should be plenty of sunshine & clear nights. The snow gets a chance to refreeze at night meaning amazing corn skiing. If you want to know what this type of snow is, check out our article:
How Ski Resorts Ensure Great Late Season Conditions
We can’t give Mother Nature all the credit though. Here are a few things some resorts do to make sure that the corn skiing & their snow quality is the best it can be this late in the season.
Open early
Corn is all about timing. If the air temperature didn’t get below freezing, the perfect time to ski it might be early in the day. To cover that window, lifts may start running as early as 7:30 am.
Close early
To preserve the snow & make sure you ski at the best time, they close the lifts by 2:00 pm. This means you can spend the afternoon doing things like an après party or mountain biking.
Salt the runs
Normally salt melts snow, but when it’s above freezing, it slows the snow melt leading to better snow conditions in the spring. If you’re worried about the environment, don’t be. They’re only allowed to use a certain amount of salt per year and have confirmed that any salt that goes into the ground is negligible.
How You Can Help Make It Better
Just like any other ski condition, spring skiing has its quirks. It’s up to you to wear the right clothes, have your equipment tuned correctly, and understand how to ski / snowboard it. Don’t worry we’ve got you covered. This article breaks down everything we’ve learned about how to handle sticky snow and keep things smooth when the temps rise. And if you’re looking for the full lowdown on spring turns—from gear tips to timing your laps just right—don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Spring Skiing, right here:
So, if you got a hankering for a few more turns this summer – as of this moment, Timberline, A-Basin, Mammoth and Beartooth Pass have announced they’re open for skiing in June. If you do live near one of the resorts, a little corn skiing might be just what you need. The snow will be great, and the beer will be cold.
