When Does Snowboarding Season Start?

Wanted Dead Or Alive: Snowboarding And Skiing Season

When the flowers bloom and the grass grows a vibrant green, shedding the icy gowns that grew on them in November, it could seem like a rebirth to many. The color has returned to the world, but for me, it is a bitter reminder of the end of winter.

The end of snowboarding and skiing season! The closing of ski resorts. The disappearance of the much-needed snow. It’s a bitter pill to swallow when your winter sports fun is brought to a close by the very Earth itself.

Most of us don’t have the time and money to jet set around the world and catch snow year-round. We are left to wait and time our entries and returns to the world of winter sports.

Keeping track of it all can be difficult, and it varies from location to location. Fortunately, there are a few tell-alls that can help you pinpoint exactly when snowboarding and skiing are back on the menu.

The end of the winter season can be painful, but the beautiful thing is that it always comes back. And so do we. And so do my allergies, but that’s a story for another day.

Snowboard and Ski Season: When Is It The Best Time?

The easy answer to this question is that it depends entirely on where you live. But this is an incomplete answer. Technically, you can snowboard anywhere and anytime as long as there is snow. Provided that you have a snowboard, of course.

The reality is that if you want the best time to go snowboarding, then you need to figure out what you consider would be your ideal scenario to ski or snowboard in.

Tourists, do you like them? The only right answer is no. No one ever likes tourists, and so if you wish to avoid becoming a part of the gaping masses that can be found at most ski resorts, then you’ll want to head to the lifts when the winter season is at its apex.

When the snowfall is thick (and so is your jacket) and the weather is freezing. But perhaps you are incapable of having an adventure in brutal, icy weather. If this is the case, then you should consider beginning your snowboard season in the first few weeks of spring.

The issue with heading to the ski resort during the advent of spring is that the ski resort will no doubt be flooded with people in search of that sweet spot of warmer temperatures and powder snow on the ground.

Personally, where I live in California, January is by far the coldest month, and as a result, there is a notable drop in tourists at the resort. I’d rather brave the snapping cold than intermingling with the crowds.

Offering both day and night skiing, as well as a variety of lessons and rentals, Best Ski Resort in North Carolina is the perfect place to hit the slopes.

Snowboarding In March? Well, It Depends

Quick note: The exact date will vary depending on your specific location.

Northern Hemisphere

If you are located in the northern hemisphere, then March and possibly even April can be a great time to visit the ski resorts near you. Keep in mind that this is the time when people flood the resorts.

It can be difficult to practice snowboarding in these conditions. I, myself, find that I get too worried that I’ll run into someone, and as such most of my time “snowboarding” is actually spent in search of an area that isn’t crowded.

Still, hitting the slopes when there is adequate snowfall and warmer temperatures is a lot of fun and the most comfortable time to enjoy the winter sports season.

Southern Hemisphere

To anyone that doesn’t or hasn’t lived within this hemisphere what I am about to say next will sound so wrong but I assure you that it is the truth. In the southern hemisphere, the winter season starts around mid-June.

This means that the best time to begin your snowboard season is around July. That is, if you want to avoid crowded resorts. For those seeking out the most comfortable time regardless of crowds, you’ll want to head to the resorts in late August and within the first weeks of September.

Living La Vida Snow: Can You Snowboard All Year Round?

Yes, your snowboard season can last all year long. Canada is a country that has resorts that stay open throughout the year. Switzerland can also take pride in having resorts that stay open at all months of the year. From April to late November and beyond!

If you don’t live in Canada or Switzerland, then you can always travel from one side of the planet to the next. Chasing snow around the globe sounds appealing, but most of us will never have the time or money to live out that fantasy.

Snow Sports Season: What Makes And Breaks It?

The world is vast, and as such, you should use the following three factors to provide you with a better idea as to when you can pick out your gear and race down that mountain.

Snow: It’s Got To Be There

This one is pretty simple. Is there enough snow to completely cover the mountains? If the answer is yes then head to the resorts, strap into your gear, and enjoy that fresh powder. Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to snowboard or ski.

This is by far the most important factor. It doesn’t matter if it’s April, November, or you are heading into December. If the mountains are caked in the snow then you can snowboard.

Location, Location, Location: Like In Real Estate

How high are you? I’m talking about your regional altitude. The rule of thumb is that the higher you are the longer your winter lasts and the more time that you can ride your board over the piste.

Ski resorts in areas with higher elevation tend to stay open for much longer because the conditions permit it.

However, if you live in a region with conditions that are optimal for snow fall then you needn’t worry about your altitude because ultimately, how much snow is on the ground matters more than how high you are.

Rules: You’ve Got To Watch Out For The Man

Different countries have their own rules/regulations on when and how ski resorts can operate. In northern California, all ski resorts have closing dates around the middle of spring. By the end of May, there is usually a complete shutdown.

Events such as the 2020 pandemic and long or short winters can cause officials to alter these dates and limit resort capacity. It’s a matter of getting to know what rules are in place and why they exist in the first place.

Some things are more important than snowboarding… but not many!

My Final Thoughts

With anything in life, before you engage in an activity, you’ve got to weigh the pros and cons and then select a time and conditions that favor your pros and downplay your cons. You should need to know before going on snowboarding how much snowboarding costs.

Snowboarding is a wonderful sport that can set you free. In my opinion, it is much more liberating than skiing although you can decide for yourself which one suits you more!