Photo by: Local Freshies®
It’s our humble opinion that if you’re not skiing powder snow, the next best surface is a nice layer of corn. Spring corn snow is a type of snow that forms when the temperature warms up during the day, causing the snow to melt and then refreeze at night. This creates little frozen kernels that create a smooth and easy surface to lay down turns.
Unlike other types of snow, such as powder or packed snow, corn snow doesn’t require as much effort to turn even if you sink into it. It provides buttery turns that are smooth and fast.
One of the challenges with corn snow is that it can quickly turn to slush as the temperature rises, which can make it more difficult to ski on. To avoid this, many skiers will head out early in the morning before the snow has a chance to soften too much.
There are several ski areas that are known for having excellent spring corn snow conditions. Here are five of the best.
Five Great Places to Find Perfect Corn Conditions
Mammoth Mountain, California: Mammoth Mountain is known for its long season, which often lasts well into May or even June. During the spring, the mountain’s high elevation and abundant sunshine help create ideal conditions for corn snow. It’s no wonder people call it California Super Corn.
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado: Arapahoe Basin, or “A-Basin” as it’s commonly known, is famous for its steep terrain and high-altitude skiing. Its north-facing slopes and dry climate make it a great place to find excellent corn snow conditions in the spring and early summer.
Snowbird, Utah: Snowbird is located in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains and is known for its dry, light snow. In the spring, the mountain’s south-facing slopes receive plenty of sun, which helps create perfect corn snow conditions.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia: Whistler Blackcomb is one of the largest ski resorts in North America and has a reputation for its incredible terrain and abundant snowfall. In the spring, the mountain’s lower elevation slopes soften up and create ideal corn snow conditions.
Sun Valley, Idaho: Sun Valley is a classic ski resort that is known for its long, wide runs and abundant sunshine. In the spring, the mountain’s south-facing slopes soften up and provide great corn snow conditions for skiers and snowboarders.
Photo by: Local Freshies®
It’s worth noting that the quality of corn snow can vary from year to year, day to day and even from hour to hour, depending on the weather, humidity, temperature and sunlight. That being said, these ski areas are generally reliable for providing good spring corn snow skiing.