Snowboarding at night can be challenging, but it’s also rewarding and provides benefits that you don’t get with daytime riding.
The same is true for night skiing, which is a world apart from day skiing.
If you want to experience these sports from a new perspective, night riding could be the perfect solution.
But before you grab your skis or your snowboard, make sure you read this guide first.
Can You Snowboard at Night?
Yes! Many resorts offer night skiing and snowboarding that usually begins when the sun goes down.
The floodlights turn on and you can enjoy a few hours skiing or snowboarding.
The actual start times and end times vary depending on the resort, but you will have plenty of time to snowboard under the night sky.
Check the resort website before you leave to learn more about night snowboarding.
Is it Harder to Snowboard at Night?
You don’t have as many snowboarders getting in your way, but the low visibility and cold temperatures make night riding a challenge.
Whether you are an experienced snowboarder or not, take a look below for a few tips on safe snowboarding at night.
What Do I Need to Snowboard at Night?
The mountain can become a dangerous place during the nighttime.
The following steps will help you to ride safely:
1. Prepare Yourself
First things first, you’re going to need some protective gear.
There are specific types of goggles designed for night snowboarding and you’ll also need a warm snowboarding jacket, some solid boots, and a face cover of some kind.
2. Take a Friend
It helps to have a friend with you when night snowboarding. If anything goes wrong, they can help you or sound the alarm.
3. Take it Easy
Stay close to the lights and the well-lit areas and take it easy.
Don’t go too fast and pay attention to the weather and your location. As soon as it starts to get a little too difficult, it’s time to call it a night.
Night snowboarding and Night Skiing in the United States
There are several places that you can enjoy a little night snowboarding and night skiing in the United States.
These include:
- Steamboat Ski Resort, Colorado
- Keystone Ski Resort, Colorado
- Howelsen Hill, Colorado
- Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah
- Brighton Ski Resort, Utah
- Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
- Granby Ranch, Colorado
- Mt. Hood Skibowl, Oregon
- Snow King Mountain Resort, Wyoming
- Snow Summit Mountain Resort, California
- Squaw Valley Ski Resort, California
- Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho
Pros and Cons of Night Riding
There are several reasons to consider night riding.
The first is that it tends to be a little more expensive, with day tickets usually costing more than night ones.
The price difference isn’t huge, but it all adds up.
Secondly, and more importantly, the slopes are much less crowded during the nighttime.
You don’t have to worry about bumping into other snowboarders and skiers and if you’re not a very social person or just prefer it when there are fewer people, night riding is ideal.
Last but not least, there is a certain ambiance that you don’t get when snowboarding through the day.
After all, you’re riding under the stars with only their light and the light of the spotlights to guide you.
If you’re the sort of person who loves looking out of high-rise videos on night-time streets or walking through neon-lit cities at midnight, you’ll love it.
You can’t beat that feeling when you’re at the top of the mountain and have an expanse of white/grey/black ahead of you, with only halos of light and a fading sunset to guide you.
As for the downsides, well, there aren’t too many.
The main issue is the lack of visibility. You still have lights to guide you, but they are not as bright as they are through the day and your goggles will dim them somewhat.
It’s also much colder, and if you had an early morning, you’ll be fighting off your fatigue while trying to maintain your sharpness and responsiveness.
It’s not easy, but if you’re a night person anyway, that won’t matter!
