Living here in the High Sierras, we’ve come to understand that ‘Spring’ as a season is a relative term. More often than not, we go from winter to summer within a week, with a few ‘teases’ of bright but brisk days that passes for spring in between March and July. A few crocus and daffodil blooms punching up through the soil and warmer temperatures soon has us salivating for long sunny days and gardens of riotous colors in bloom.
Alas, we know those lovely days probably won’t last for long until we hit the 4th of July. And those riotous colors in bloom? They’re more than likely still several more months away…
True to form, our recent snow storm proved that point all too well. We here in California need the water, so we’ll take it! But still, I look at my summer garden trying to peek up amidst the snow, and all I can think of is ‘Not yet! Not yet! You know you’re going to get frozen somewhere between now and summer!’
Donner Lake, Spring snowstorm 2014
But before we throw off those last vestiges of this winter, it’s time to start thinking about next winter.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, and no, I don’t need my head examined…and before I hear a collective groan rise up throughout the land, realize, I’m just trying to save you some coin.
April and May is when most of the local ski areas have their deepest discounts on next years ski passes, so now is the time to buy them if you were planning on skiing next years powder days. (And let’s all hope we have more snow next year than we did this last one!)
Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood are now all owned by Vail, which means you can get a local pass for all three resorts. Have a bit more money and time to travel? You can get their Epic Pass that also includes access to all of their Colorado ski areas as well.
Squaw Valley and Alpine have been linked together for a few years now, but a pass for that area can now include 4 passes to Sugarbowl next winter as well. Other ski areas may be offering some sweet deals as well.
On the left hand side of this page are the quick links to most of the local ski area websites for your ski pass purchasing pleasure.
You can thank me later.
Powder Day at Squaw Valley’s last open weekend for the season
While some of us rather enjoyed the light shoveling duty and lack of the white stuff this season, deep down, we all know these warm winters and lack of snowfall hurts our local economy, impacts water storage for both California and Nevada and makes for some very dry conditions that begets forest fires. So let’s all suck it up and pray for snow – NEXT winter!
In the meantime, it’s time to enjoy another lovely, high country, spring day. Here comes the sun!
Blue sky spring day at Donner Lake
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 