Have you ever tried snowboarding at night? Is it even possible or any different from snowboarding with natural light? What are the pros and cons? We have everything covered for you:
Snowboarding at night is possible, and multiple resorts worldwide provide night riding to their guests with the runs lit up with powerful artificial lights. Riding at night time is a fun experience and is often cheaper than riding during the day, with some resorts even offering free night riding.
There are many pros and cons to riding at night and different places to ride. Below we will cover it all in detail.
Night Time Snowboarding: Is It Possible?
Of course, it is possible. There are several resorts that entertain snowboarders with nighttime riding.
After sundown, they use high-powered artificial lighting to light up their slopes just so you can enjoy hours of night shredding. The same type of lights are used to light up your soccer fields.
During winters, lifts across the mountains are shut down after 5 p.m but these resorts have their slopes open till 8 p.m or sometimes even after midnight to offer a unique night experience for rides.
We can say with confidence that nighttime snowboarding is very calm and relaxing as compared to shredding with natural light.
However, before you strap into your board, there are a few things you should be prepared for to make the most out of your night on the hill.
1. Weather Changes Everything
You must remember that the temperature drops fast after the sun goes down.
So your snowboarding routine when riding under the sun needs to change when snowboarding in the dark: and you will need extra layers to keep you warm at night.
Hence, ensure you plan ahead by keeping the weather conditions in mind on the day of your night adventure.
Thermals, mittens. mid-layers, and something that protects your face from the cold are essential, particularly if it’s windy.
Frostbite is the last thing you want at nighttime when on top of slopes, so come prepared.
2. Stick to the Well-Lit Runs
Here is an extremely important suggestion for riders interested in night riding: do not ride at night outside of well-lit-up areas that are not designed for night riding. It just is not worth the risk.
There are so many dangers out there that can end your experience even before it begins.
Groomers, chopped-up snow, bumps, cliffs, trees, and wild animals can appear unexpectedly in the dark.And there are limited ski patrol to come to your rescue if things take a turn for the worse.
The places designated for night riding are predictable because they have great lighting and runs that are maintained specifically for nighttime snowboarders.
3. Safety Should Be Your Number One Priority
Nighttime riding is fun. Yes! But it also carries more risk compared to riding under the sun.
The snow tends to be icy and hard-packed after dark, so you may have to adjust your riding under these new challenging conditions.
Don’t forget your goggles and stick with either transparent or yellow-colored lenses to block out the glare from those high-powered lights.
And please don’t go up the slopes after partying hard, as alcohol can seriously impede your judgment and put other riders at risk.
Pros of Snowboarding in the Nighttime
From the above-mentioned safety tips, it should be clear that the cons of nighttime snowboarding are decreased visibility, increased coldness, and a higher risk of getting lost.
But hitting the slopes in the nighttime has several advantages. If you are mindful of the safety precautions that you need to take, here are the things you are set to gain despite the obvious cons:
1. It’s Less Crowded
This one is our favorite. Due to the slightly increased cold and visibility, many people prefer snowboarding in the daytime.
And after a long day on the hill, many of these people are too tired to enjoy some time riding under the stars. Therefore, during the nighttime, resorts tend to attract fewer people.
The major advantage being this reduces the chances of hitting other riders and gives you great freedom to enjoy the mountain how you wish when shredding around the slopes.
So, if you prefer a quiet and less crowded area, night riding might be your thing.
2. It’s Cheaper
Snowboarding is expensive, so if you are trying to save a few dollars, then night time riding might be a better option.
Resorts tend to lower their prices for nighttime snowboarding because of the decrease in demand from riders after sundown, with some resorts even offering free nighttime riding.
Many resorts also have other free nighttime offerings, like free hot chocolates and ice skating.
While it may be cheaper, it’s important to note that night riding usually only lasts a couple of hours, so it may be more beneficial to grab a day pass.
3. It’s Relaxing and Exciting
Sure, snowboarding is an intense and fun sport. Yet, from our experience, snowboarding at night gives you a unique feeling that is just a mixture of fun and calmness.
There is a feeling of serenity and excitement that one simply cannot explain but can only be experienced. You might be on high alert as new shadows from objects form in front of you from the overhead lighting.
Some resorts go all out and have fireworks during night riding or even flare runs, where a bunch of skiers and snowboarders ride down the hill with flares in their hands.
At the same time, you feel relaxed due to the less crowded and calm surroundings and, of course, stargazing.
Dealing With the Cold
Although the cons may have swayed you to pick up your board and head to the nearest resort for some night riding, it is easy to forget one of the major cons, the cold!
The hazard is so big that it deserves a separate section in this article to keep you safe from it. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself warm, and some of them on the list might even surprise you:
1. Wear Good Socks
Nothing is worse than having cold or wet feet when riding at any time of day, which is exasperated at night.
Therefore we recommend wearing a good pair of socks designed explicitly for snow sports that aren’t too tight, as the more blood to the feet, the warmer it stays.
While it might be tempting to wear an extra pair of socks to keep yourself warm, this can have the opposite effect of warming.
The best thing to do is buy a pair of socks made from bamboo or wool from your local boarding store, as these will be designed to keep your feet dry and warm.
Additionally, socks made from wool or bamboo provide cushioning to your feet and prevent odors, so it’s a win-win.
And always remember to wash them after each use, as a dirty pair of socks is a cold pair of socks.
2. Keep an Eye on the Battery
The extra cold weather can have a draining effect on phone batteries. In general, phone performance takes a hit when it is cold.
A phone can be essential if you find yourself hurt, lost on the mountain, or even when trying to make your way home.
Considering these factors, you can understand why it is important to preserve your battery if you are night-riding. Some riders love to listen to music and take photos using their phone when shredding.
So, it is essential that you keep your phone warm, preferably close to your body, and carry an extra backup battery just for safety.
Airplane mode can be a lifesaver in this situation as you can save battery by cutting down on the constant search for phone signals.
3. Use Warmers
We recommend using hand and feet warmers to ward off the cold. You can buy a variety of warmers from many places around the resort or even in your hometown if you live in a cooler climate.
Some models provide several hours of constant heat so you can ride without worrying too much about the cold while maintaining a healthy body temperature.
And there are even warmers that can stick to your body!
Best Places for Nighttime Snowboarding
Alright, now you know the advantages and precautions you must take before hitting the slopes for nighttime snowboarding.
But are you still searching for locations you can visit for shredding at night? No worries! We got you covered on that. Here are our choices for the best nighttime experience in the US:
1. Gunstock Mountain Resort, New Hampshire
Gunstock mountain tops our list as it is one of the biggest night skiing destinations in the US and has plenty of powder for all. With over 21 runs, the resort offers night riding five days a week.
The resort feels like a completely different place at night, thanks to the amazing flood light arrangement that brings the place alive for nighttime riders.
When you’re done with shredding, don’t forget to participate in special nighttime events that are unique based on the day of the week. Fun guaranteed!
2. Keystone Resort, Colorado
This resort is well-known for its feature-rich A51 Terrain Park on one of its three mountains.
In winter, Keystone resort operates its lifts till 8 p.m., offering snowboarders and skiers one of the longest operational hours of night riding.
Once you have had all the fun, don’t forget to visit the Summit House, a dining place on top of Dercum Mountain, for some awesome meals and mind-blowing nighttime scenery.
3. Palisades Tahoe, California
When you are in Palisades Tahoe, we can assure you that vision will not be a problem. As the resort has an advanced, high-powered flood light network that lights its 3.2-mile mountain run.
Other places suitable for night riding are Central Park, Rivera Halfpipe, and Terrain Park, which are open till 9 p.m. Located near Lake Tahoe, the resort has some really challenging runs.
Still, it’s also known for its relaxing ambiance, thanks to the nearby lake. The mountain’s base has places for you to chill and recharge after some hard shredding.
Also, when you buy your lift tickets, Alpine Meadows, a family-friendly location just down the road from the lake, is included as part of the package. So you have choices, and there is something for everyone.
4. Crotched Mountain, New Hampshire
An exciting place to visit if you want to shred after midnight. Crotched mountain offers snowboarders and skiers the Midnight Madness.
This is a special time slot on Fridays and Saturdays, wherein all its 25 trails are open till 3 a.m with music and drinks.
If you want to kick it up a notch, they even offer a late-night package that allows you to crash in the main lodge for the night and enjoy a nice buffet breakfast the next morning.
The affordable package is aptly named the Overnight Lockup.
5. Steamboat Resort, Colorado
An awesome spot for a family vacation. This is the place you want to visit if you want to avoid light pollution ruining your nighttime shredding experience.
But don’t conclude that the place lacks lighting for riding. Instead, the management is rather particular about the lighting they’ve used to illuminate the trails at Steamboat resort.
They use a special type of light focused only on the trails, reducing light pollution in the nearby area.
It’s called the Snow Bright lights. Instead of producing a beam of light, they emit a milky glow that is just localized just on the runs. So people can still enjoy a proper nighttime experience.
There is also the well-known Truffle Pig restaurant nearby for some post-ski hangout with your friends and family.
6. Mt Hood Skibowl, Oregon
Here comes the largest night ski area in the US. This resort offers lifts lit just for nighttime riders, with 34 trails open till 10 p.m from Monday to Thursday and 11 p.m on Friday and Saturday.
It is also famous for its tubing events at nighttime with bright laser lights and loud music that snowboarders and skiers can enjoy with their families.
7. Wachusett Mountain, Massachusetts
Wachusett Mountain offers deals of insane value to night riders. With 18 lit trails, the resort offers a night package for just 10 dollars on top of your regular all-day ticket.
With this, you can snowboard until 10 p.m at night, and during spring, the trails close around 8 p.m, but with an extra 5-dollar package, you can shred away till the resort closes.
Tired after shredding? You have various lodging options at the base, with some good entertainment and fine dining.
And don’t forget to visit the Red Apple Farm on top of the hills near the 10th trail for some good and hot cider donuts.
Final Thoughts
You can shred at nighttime on resorts that have lit-up trails. The experience is calm, relaxing, and fun at the same time. Nighttime riding has higher risks.
Hence you need to take precautions if you’re gonna shred under these conditions. Decreased vision and coldness are major cons of riding at night.
As such, we recommend extra layers of clothing and hand and feet warmers to protect yourself from the cold. Stay safe and happy shredding!