All indicators predict a March to remember

By Matt Boxler

Results of a recent Ski Vermont survey coupled with current statistics from National Weather Service headquarters in Burlington, Vt. translate to one very predictable forecast – spring riding will be off the hook this season.

March is among the greatest months to ski and ride in New England, according to 98 percent of the enthusiasts polled this season by Ski Vermont. Those numbers, while expected, are nonetheless reassuring, says Jen Butson, director of Public Affairs for Vermont Ski Areas Association.

“I found itreaffirming to see that our skiing and riding community really sees the value of this time of year on the mountains – and understands our core messages of good temps, fewer crowds, great deals and more sunshine!”

According to the survey, fewer crowds were cited as the top reason that March riding rules. Great temperatures, more sunshine, good snow base and super deals were also ranked as the top reasons to look forward to March.

“We pooledour active audience of e-newsletter readers and inserted the survey link into our weekly update newsletter, and just got the stats from SurveyMonkey.com – which is always handy as itcalculates the graphs and numbers,” Butson says. “It’s much less formal thana scientific poll. It’s just a nice opinion poll.”

The formal, scientific numbers are equally as reaffirming. The National Weather Service is reporting two more feet of snow than average at this time of year. And Butson said Vermont resorts have snow bases upwards of 70 inches.

“While the snow is certainly on our side, we also have to give credit to the fine work of the mountain ops crews on the mountains,” Butson says. “Their grooming of the snow day in and day out really primes the conditions to be as great as they are.It also doesn’t hurt that in Vermont, 70 percent ofthe ski and ridetrails have snowmaking – to kick into gearany time Mother Nature goes on a brief sabbatical.”

In addition to the testimonials, Ski Vermont researchers also sought to validate opinions with quantitative data – and here’s what they discovered:

-Take a layer off: The average high for March is 37 degrees and the average low is a comfortable 20 degrees. Additionally, daylight hours are longer which allows for people to rise with the sun at 6:05 a.m. and enjoy après-ski sunsets at 7 p.m.

- Fewer crowds: Indeed, March does see a drop in skiers and riders from the holiday vacation months of January and February. That’s more mountain for you to enjoy.

- Good snow: Over the last three seasons, Vermont’s average percentage of trails open for the entire month of March is 83 percent; that’s more than 1,000 trails to explore. March’s soft and plentiful snow, coupled with the ideal temperatures, also makes it the perfect month for beginners to learn the sport.

-Save a buck: Those 52 percent of skiers and riders who visit Vermont in March for deals are very mountain-savvy. Lift ticket prices fall and bargains abound. More than 10 ski areas offer tickets for $39 or less and many also offer ski and stay packages.

Butson says the snowboarding community will discover loads of March andApril ride-specific events popping up allover the state. Fun activities are plentiful, from concerts, rail jams, barbecues, beach parties, Mardi Gras, St. Patty’s Day, Black Tie & Denim benefits. Butson recommends riders do a “pond skim” of upcoming events at: http://www.skivermont.com/trip_planning/event/.

“For many,those lastfew weekend trips in March and certainly well into April are‘must-do’s’ before we retire the board to the closet and shift gears to bike/golf/water sports,” she says. “But it also isespecially nice for those folks trying new tricks because the snow is soft as we get warmer days.”