calreef18

Looks like spring is finally upon us here in Northern California, and I wanted to know if anybody had any riding tips for spring conditions. I realize the warmer weather will make for ice in the AM and slush in the afternoon, so other than those conditions anything I should take particular advantage of? Park? Groomers? Tree runs later in the day? First season so I'm curious to see how the spring is compared to all the powder and colder temps experienced during the winter. Thanks!

schmitty34

If you haven't tried hitting the jumps in the park yet, Spring can be a good time to learn. Once the snow softens up in the afternoon the landings are softer and a little more forgiving. After a while, some of the landings can get rutted out but until then, it's a nice way to huck yourself off a jump without the fear of the rock hard ice covered landing.

semajgnik

very true, i was working on my jumps yesterday, here in so cal. I was coming off a jump, didnt have time or space to speed check the next one and i overshot it, i ended up sideways in the air. i fell maybe 10 feet shoulder first and it didnt hurt at all. only thing is my neck is a little sore from the whiplash. I was thinking shoulder injury when i was in the air, but when i landed, i didnt even feel anything.

HoboMaster

If it's really warm with the sun out, PM slushie runs are pretty fun. It doesn't get warm enough to do that here during the end of the season, but I remember Mt.Hood out-of-bounds in June was like riding thick powder.

__________________
PowderHound and TreeNinja

cadencesdad

Magne-traction!!!!!!

calreef18

Thanks for the great tips guys, and I definitely have magne-traction on my lib-tech. Are park features such as boxes and rails going to be more slippery due to wetter conditions, or will they pretty much be the same?

eddiethebus

Boxes (especially if there wooden "natural" features) can get sticky in the sun shine. I normally wait to see someone else hit them first

Sincraft

best tip I could give you for spring riding, especially on populated paths, either have good eyes or wear a lens that is going to highlight the snow so you can see depth easily. I rode all weekend on slopes that were TORN UP. Slopes looked like a choppy sea. Lumps and lumps of heavy sand type snow. Best way I can describe it. People were getting thrown off their rides pretty easily. Can be dangerous when you temp the fates and ride near immovable objects or people.

twin89

just enjoy the warm temps and try to ride in the shadows to avoid getting stuck in flats.

The boxes become sticky and kinda sketchy if they are in the sun and don't have snow on them.

Jumps are slightly harder in terms of getting enough speed and having a stable take off, but the landing is much easier cause slush is soft and pretty forgiving.

Also don't try to lay down some fast euro carves in real choppy slush, it will not end well. It is pretty hard for anyone to hold a true carve in choppy slush.

__________________
Too Fast!

pencap75

Good point about softer snow making practice jumps less painful. The only negative is sometimes you can't build enough speed to clear the jumps. Fortunately its not as painful when you land.