As a winter sports enthusiast, you know that waiting for the snow season can be an incredibly tedious process.
The entire year revolves around when the first snowflake will fall, and more importantly when you can finally hit the slopes with the right snowboard gear.
This article is a tricky one as the world experiences different seasons at different times, although some regions do share similar seasons at the same time, but that’s a debate for another day.
What we will do is focus on one or two key areas and the snow seasons applicable.
To start with, the snow season generally takes place in the winter break months for obvious reasons. Snow season is often referred to as snowboarding season or skiing season, but ultimately, it all boils down to the same thing.
This means that to answer the question “when does snowboard season start?” you will also need to consider the start of the snow season.
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When Does Snowboarding Season Start?
As mentioned above, the snow season starts at different times for different regions. This does not exactly answer the question “when is snow season?”, so we will expand on this so you can prepare for your first snowboarding.
In most cases, the ski resorts in America and Europe have a snow season of 180 days, approximately five to six months. This period starts around November and will run all the way through until May. Moving to the southern hemisphere, areas like Argentina and Chile, snow season starts around June and runs until October.
The exact length of the snow season will depend on how much snow is present, the climate, and whether it is profitable for the resort to stay open for an extended period. As a result, different resorts may have different snow seasons. Additional factors that can influence the snow season include the local climate, resort altitude, latitude, slopes facing the sun, and profitability during the warmer months.
Let’s take a look at some of the ski seasons across the globe:
- France: November – May
- Japan: December – April
- New Zealand: June – October
- Australia: June – October
- Argentina: June – October
How Long Does Snowboarding Season Last?
So, you may be asking yourself “How long does snowboard season last?” and it is a very valid question. How do you know that the snow season is over and what contributes to that decision? To start with, you need to look at how much snow has fallen. This also means that snow needs to have begun to fall before the snow season can start.
In addition to this, you also need to consider how long the snow will last. The longer the snow lasts, the longer the season. Resorts at higher altitudes tend to have longer periods of snow as it takes longer for the warmer temperatures to rise. This means that their snow season can last well into the springtime. Mountain slopes facing the north face away from the sun and are colder as a result. Resorts with longer snow seasons tend to have most of their slopes facing away from the sun.
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While some ski resorts are able to enjoy longer periods of snow, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is in their best interest to remain open and operational for the entire duration. AS a result, ski resorts have a specified start and end to the season, and not a day longer. These dates have been chosen as the profits made during this time are able to keep the business afloat and justify their operations. In most cases, the biggest expense is the running of the lifts, and if the resort is empty, then there really is no point.
How Much Snow Does the Ski Resort Need to Open?
The entire snow season relies on snow falling and building up to the point where snowboarding and skiing are possible. Once enough snow has fallen to form a base layer, the snow season will start. Given past weather conditions, resort owners and employees are able to estimate when the first snow would have fallen and when the slopes will be ready for skiers and snowboarders.
There needs to be a base layer of snow of around 50 centimeters, however, double that is recommended before main groomers can open. If the ground is rocky, you will need to wait for enough snow to fall to make the surface smooth and even. If the ground is covered in grass, the base layer will not need to be as thick. The base layer gives the fresh snow something to adhere to. This includes the snowmaking machines that more and more resorts are starting to use.
Snow machines have made it possible for ski resorts to stay open even if no snow has fallen, although colder temperatures will be beneficial to keeping the artificial snow frozen and set. When it comes to discussing when is the best time to ski or snowboard, you need to wait for a base layer to have fallen and cover the ground.
The Ideal Snowboarding and Skiing Weather
While most skiers and snowboarders have a preference for weather conditions. This includes the snow patterns, snowpack, and overall weather conditions. These conditions will also differ based on your experience level. Different conditions will play a role in the overall experience, which is why it needs to be carefully considered.
Many people prefer snowboarding and skiing on fresh snow as it provides extra grip for turns and cushioning if you were to fall. It also provides a smoother run. Another sought-after condition is powder conditions. This is when there has been heavy snowfall and low moisture levels, creating a powder-like effect. When skiing or snowboarding in these conditions, it feels as if you are gliding, it is pretty magical and worth experiencing if you are able to. It can also result in a softer fall should you tumble.
On the flip side of this, we have packed powder. As the name implies, layers of snow have been pushed together. It creates a smooth, bump-free surface for skiing.
A Quick Recap: When does snowboarding season start?
When it comes to the snow season, it is a very subjective topic. While winter is a key requirement, the specific period referred to as the snow season will be determined by resorts offering snow-related activities. They will base this on their business needs and shape it to be in their best interest.
The general consensus is that snow seasons last around 180 days, from November until May in the northern hemisphere and from June to October in the southern hemisphere. Exact dates will be dictated by the region and businesses involved.
In terms of answering the questions “when does snowboard season start” and “when does snowboard season end”, the answer will depend on the resort that you are planning to visit.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aleksandra Djurdjevic
Senior Content Creator
Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.
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