Ski Column Rehash

Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day. That verse always runs through my head every time it rains during the winter, and a feeling of gloom comes over me. Yet as I say that I also realize that rainy day skiing is often some great skiing, and rain early in the season (as long as it is falling on a bit of snow pack) can be a good thing.

Let's start with why it can be a good thing. If we start the season with a lot of light fluffy snow then the base layer that the rest of the season is built upon is weak, and will melt out easily during those first warm days of late winter. In addition, that weak base layer doesn't bode well for those who enjoy back country skiing, as it doesn't "lock" in all the small rocks, roots, branched and other miscreant pieces of Mother Nature that were lying on the forest floor last fall.

A weak base layer also means that small water crossings and the like will likely be open during the winter. When we get some snow followed by rain in the early part of the season that snow compacts down and refreezes as a very dense and durable base. We sometimes call that base ice, but it really isn't ice- as much as it is very dense snow.

This durable base layer can mean the difference between excellent spring skiing and one of those years when the snow goes from great to gone in about a week. Of course the tough part is dealing with those early season rain storms. Despite knowing it's good for later in the season there is a definite bummer feeling that comes over you when it rains during the winter, especially after some really great snow.

So what can you do to keep your chin up when it rains? Well first of all take advantage of the "hero snow" that a winter rain brings. We all know that soft snow is easier to get an edge into, easier to make turns and feel confident on our skis. Well if it is raining then you can be sure that the snow is fairly soft, meaning the skiing should be fairly good. Add to that that most people will likely pass on skiing on a rainy day and you have good snow, no lines, open slopes, and best of all- warm temperatures.

Ok, yes you are going to get wet, and if you don't bring the right gear AND the right attitude a day of skiing in the rain can be a bit of a bummer. With that in mind here is how you start your day: begin with a positive attitude. Know that you will likely have the mountain to yourself and that the snow will likely be great. Eat a good breakfast and take some time to gather a few extra things for your ski bag.

Find that ski jacket and pants that you pined for three years ago but have now been relegated to the back of the closet as you have a new jacket and pants that take center stage. Put those in your bag, along with an extra pair of gloves, socks, goggles (ideally with a bright lense, such as yellow) and depending on if you ski in a hat or helmet, an extra hat.

When you get to the mountain and have parked your car, make sure you take care in walking over to the base area. I bring this up as I'm one of those skiers who boots up at the car, and on more than one occasion I have booted up and then while walking to the lift stepped in a huge puddle, soaking my boot and socks. Now for me no amount of positive attitude will help me get past that- not only do I dislike wet feet in ski boots but I hate feeling so stupid! Let the lesson be to pick your line carefully in the parking lot.

Once you are out skiing try and get in as many runs as you can before your desire to go in forces you indoors. The reason being is we become surprisingly used to being wet, but once we are inside we quickly loose our desire to go back out- and since you've only brought one set of dry clothes you sort of only have one shot at going inside. Of course I say that and know that I've seen skiers roll up on a rainy day with a gear bag that made me wonder just how big their kitchen sink is, maybe they were bringing dry clothes for every run!

If you can stay relatively dry, and have a good attitude going into it you will find that skiing on a rainy day is a worthwhile experience. Add to that your knowledge that that rain will make for better skiing later in the season and you have a reason to not dread those days of unfrozen precipitation.

Now, I've got to go check the weather channel- I want to see when the next SNOW storm is coming.

This first ran in the Mountain Ear 12/30/08.