The 2024-2025 snowboarding season is coming to a close. That can provoke despair for millions of riders, but it also marks one of the best times of the year to hit the slopes. Whether your time on the mountain is ending or heating up, use this end-of-season snowboarding guide to make the most of March/April riding before the snow is gone for the season.
When Is the End of Snowboarding Season?
Every region and resort schedules the end of the snowboarding season based on the climate, particularly snow accumulation. However, most resorts in the U.S. officially close their doors by early April. The end of the snowboarding season starts a few weeks before the last scheduled lift. Use On the Snow’s projected closing dates to see how many runs will be open during your stay.
How Snowboarding Changes at the End of the Season
Warmer weather and months of activity change the park terrain. There’s usually less snow on the ground by early March as temperatures rise, and whatever’s left will be packed down, creating a rock-solid foundation that’s less responsive to your board. The terrain makes it difficult to turn and more painful to fall without fresh powder to cushion your landing. Because of this, the end of the season isn’t the best time to start skiing or snowboarding as a beginner.
Why Late Season Is the Best Time to Ride
The snow may be harder, but the late season has its perks. The crowds will begin to thin after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the last major holiday of the season, so you should have more space to roam and easier access to the lift. The only exception is Spring Break, the first week of March.
Room and lift prices also drop towards the end of the season. The days are longer and warmer, leading to longer, more comfortable rides. You can use snowboard helmet speakers to rock out to your favorite playlist or get lost in a podcast or audiobook without worrying as much about running into others.
Too warm to snowboard? No problem. You can enjoy numerous recreational activities in the early spring if there’s not enough snow on the ground. Most resorts also feature hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking, so don’t fret if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Your End-of-Season Snowboarding Packing List
Late-season snowboarding requires less gear than peak-season snowboarding. You won’t need as many layers to stay warm and may be more comfortable using a half-face helmet instead of a full-face model. Bring the following when snowboarding in early spring:
- Snowboard
- Full- or half-face helmet with goggles
- Sunglasses
- Light gloves
- Light snow pants or waterproof athletic wear
- Moisture-wicking underlayers made of nylon or spandex
- Water to stay hydrated
- Protein snacks
- Additional recreational gear for hiking, biking or kayaking
- Wireless headset
- Sporting equipment
- Books and games if it’s too warm to snowboard
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst when packing for late-season snowboarding. Just because the park is open doesn’t mean it’s safe to snowboard. You may have downtime if the snow melts sooner than expected.
Even though fewer people are on the slopes, you still need to use snowboarding headphones to communicate with your companions wirelessly. They mount onto your helmet and connect automatically within range so you can talk hands-free everywhere you go.
End-of-Season Snowboarding Tips
Prepare your board for firmly packed snow by waxing it and sharpening the edges. The wax protects the surface from scratches and scuffs, and sharp edges are better suited to cut through crystallized clumps than dull points.
- Adjust your riding style to focus on navigating the terrain, avoiding obstacles and getting to the bottom safely. Tight turns, jumps and twists may have to wait until next season.
- Take wide turns by choosing a starting point and exit point using the path of least resistance.
- Give yourself more time to stop if you slide. Consider dismounting early and walking to the end if gravity doesn’t take you as far as you’d hoped.
- Keep your hands free, back straight and core tight to keep your balance amid excess vibrations.
- Stay further away from obstacles to leave more room for error.
- Survey the ground ahead to check terrain conditions. Watch for potentially dangerous areas, including grooved patches, ice crystals and debris poking through the snow.
- Riding in someone else’s tracks typically reduces resistance, but late-season tracks may have turned solid, creating rigid causeways that leave little room to maneuver.
- Expect to sweat more in moderate weather compared to the frigid cold. Drink more water than usual and wear removable layers if you get too hot.
Get Ready for Late-Season Riding
The snow may not be as fresh as in the winter, but snowboarding in the early spring helps you avoid the crowds and the stress of peak-season travel. Use caution and adjust your riding routine to navigate the rougher aspects of snowboarding later in the season. If you plan ahead and keep an open mind, you can still have a blast — even if it’s too warm to ride.
