Hello my dear friend... Spring!

I can’t get enough of the bright orb in the sky. Yep, the sun is shining and the temperatures are climbing – finally. And with that comes a time of year that skiers love and hate – Spring Skiing. With the change in temperatures, snow changes as well. This means you need to make a few changes to your ski routine and style.

A first to making spring skiing successful is taking care of your skin. Remember that the sun is more intense with each day. Add altitude and reflection off the snow and you have a recipe for nasty sunburns. It's time for sunblock. Lather up your face before you start the day and be spared the teasing around the water cooler tomorrow.

Another consideration is the reflection and what it can do to your eyes. Be sure to wear a goggle that has the proper tint or a pair of sunglasses. Anyone who's had snow blindness can tell you it's not fun – trust me.

Now that you've cared for you body a bit, take the time to care for your skis. Get a proper tune-up to account for the needed sharp edges on your skis and the altered snow conditions. The changing snow means that you might need to change up the wax as well. Talk to you local shop to find out what they are advising.

And now hit the snow... But not too early. With the sun warming the snow during the day and then temperatures dropping over night, spring snow can get quite hard. So you want the sun to be out for a bit to start softening the snow before you head out. This is not really a time of the year to make the first chair. Give the day a chance to get started.

At the other end of this, skiing hard late into the day is not where it's at either. With the sun warming the snow during the day the snow changes consistency and can get very soft, even soupy at times. It's spring time, time to relax, enjoy the sun and not push the extremes at either end of the day.

A good rule of thumb to go by is to follow the sun. If you ski the areas where the sun is shining then they are the softer areas. Areas where the sun has not hit or has hit and moved on from tend to be harder and potentially icy. So gauge the runs you are looking at and plan your day and ski style accordingly.

A few tips for when you are heading down the run. Let your skis run a bit. Really working the edges is only going to tire you in this heavier, spring snow. But if you've timed the day well and the snow has started to soften the skis will grip the snow well and you will carve some of the best turns of the year.

Also try to pick a line that hits some new snow that has not been skied. At least work at avoiding the larger piles of snow. These can really bounce you around or pull a ski in a direction you were not expecting. The smaller piles will be easy to slice through, but avoid the larger ones. Heavy spring snow can quickly toss surprises your way, so be aware and keep your eyes downhill for the next obstacle.

Now get out there and have some spring time fun!