Hello Everyone –
The first day of spring this year (2010) was this past Saturday, March 20. The equinox was at 12:32 EST.
Now if you are wondering why, here is the answer; in general, the four seasons correspond to the relative position of the Sun to the earth. Meteorological determination of Spring is calculated when the Sun passes through the equatorial plane. When going from Winter to Spring, the Sun is moving North, and as soon as the Sun crosses the equator, we call it Spring.
Sounds I know what talking about right? Think again, I just Goggled it.
There is snow on the slopes out there folks and that is no joke. Taking me to my point this week, the snow is there and no one seems to be seeing it. Spring skiing and riding, the time for raccoon eyes and short sleeves on the slopes. Put those heavy gloves away and break out those light-weight ones, that you only wish you could use in January and February. Spring skiing, when sun screen is just as important as lip balm. By the way, don’t forget to continue to use your lip balm as it serves as a sun screen for your lips.
Spring skiing and riding means there aren’t many days left to hit the slopes, so take advantage of the clear days and low prices. It means it’s time to really pay attention to the snow reports as a resort can be open one day and not the next. Spring skiing is also a time for everyone to support their local resorts for providing so much fun this season. What that means is, if there is traffic on the slopes, the resorts are open, if not, well you know the rest of the story don’t you.
Finally this week, next week’s column will be the last of the season. That means time for the annual Joe Knows Snow “Snowies”. Can’t wait to find out the winners can you? Me either. Also how many of you had Kansas going to the final four or winning the NCAA Basketball championship? Well my six-year old son Christian had Ohio State beating the Jayhawks in the Regional Final and making it to the Final Four. You ask why, because his Aunt Kris lives in Ohio.
Go figure.
That’s it for this week, just remember whether it be cold or whether it be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather will be. Think about it! See you on the slopes, hopefully before the season comes to an end, which will be very soon, I’m afraid.
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Joe Stevens, a member of the southeast ski industry since 1990 is a regular columnist for skisoutheast.com and serves as the Communications Director for the West Virginia Ski Areas Association.