Early Season Conditions, Ski Aware

Early season is typically when a resort’s snow pack is the shallowest. Conditions may differ a lot from your last day of skiing the previous season. Transitions from steep to flat and flat to steep may be more apparent than you remember on both groomed and ungroomed trails.

Be sure to check with a Mountain Host or member of ski patrol before venturing off-piste. You may encounter fallen trees, stumps, and rocks that are yet to be buried by the increasing snow depth. All of these elements can be very playful for a skier to enjoy, once you know where they are. Until then take it slow so these terrain changes don’t sneak up on you, especially when the light is flat and they are more difficult to see. This mindset can help keep you stay safe so you can ski all season!

Read the rest of the series:
Week 1 – Come prepared
Week 2 – Tune ups

Derek Althof has 16 years experience in the ski industry and is Deer Valley’s ski school training manager and an alpine examiner and clinic leader for the Professional Ski Instructors of America’s Central and Intermountain Divisions. Derek learned to ski at age four and has had a passion for good skiing ever since.

We hope you enjoy our weekly skiing tips. Please remember that they can help but will not eliminate risks, as skiing is a dynamic sport. These tips are meant to help you build skills and progress for a more enjoyable skiing experience.