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Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival is here

Spring fever has hit Whistler and the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival is back for its 16th year. In honour of the event, Pique's Travel and Adventure section is staying here, and taking a trip to the only place worth going: up our mountains.

Spring fever has hit Whistler and the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival is back for its 16th year. In honour of the event, Pique's Travel and Adventure section is staying here, and taking a trip to the only place worth going: up our mountains.

Winter is awesome in Whistler, everyone knows that, but fewer people know how fun the spring is. Spring riding has developed a cult-following of skiers and snowboarders who still love to slide on snow, but prefer the mercury above freezing, the sunshine out and a much more laid-back attitude.

"The snow conditions have been wonderful this week," says local snowboarder Brian O'Brien, famous locally as the 50-something-year-old who still hits the park.

"We've got good snow, we've got good temperatures and we've got good light. It's a win-win situation.

"There were guys doing Air Jordan (off Peak Chair) yesterday, and you've got to have a serious amount of snow to do Air Jordan."

Although April still gets powder, the riding is usually associated with slush. The great things about slush are that it's: a) soft b) untrackable c) it works with the TWSSF party schedule because it doesn't soften until 11am. With the different snow comes a new attitude. Nobody thinks of hikes, tree runs and cliffs, but instead hit runs, slush pools and lunchtime beers, with a couple of casual laps through the park for good measure.

Spring conditions mean different demands on your equipment. Choose a shorter, softer ski or snowboard for playful side-hit runs. Slush usually contains a lot of dirt, so clean your base before waxing, otherwise you'll still be fighting that sticky, grippy feeling. You will need to use a slush wax in the warmer weather (check the temperature on whistlerblackcomb.com/weather). It's also worth keeping rub-on wax in your pocket for emergencies.

Many riders leave their edges dull for slush, dull edges are also perfect for hitting rails and boxes in the park.

The sun can get powerful in April, so remember to bring a drink, put on serious-factor sunscreen and wear mirrored lenses. Many people cover their faces with a lightweight scarf, or (if you like hip-hop) a bandana if you like sunshine. Weatherproof outerwear becomes less important, so if it's really hot you can swap your Gore-Tex for a hoodie, shirt, swimsuit (careful of ice-burn) or pair of shorts.

After an overcast winter, spring fever can make you a little silly. "The pond skimming is amongst some of the best skiing on the mountain!" said Tobin Seagel, a skier with Zag skis. Last year the slush pool on Blackcomb's Zig Zag trail attracted a crowd of over 100 locals, seasonal workers, children and surprised visitors, who cheered on anyone brave enough to skim over the shallow pool.

"Other than the slush pools, in the spring my favourite runs are Rock and Roll and Twist and Shout - you just go skipping down them," said Seagel.

For side-hit runs take a couple of friends, and play follow-my-leader doing little ollies, rotations, shifties and tail-taps off every bump you can find.

On Whistler try Crabapple, Peak to Creek, and all of the runs on Big Red (Pony Trail, Bear Cub, Orange Peel, Upper Whiskey Jack into Papoose through the trees).

On Blackcomb, Gear Jammer is the most fun for riding to the base; it also avoids the busy beginner section. Cruiser is good, especially if you need to go to the Upper Village. Most locals agree that you've got to head high: "If it's sunny go to 7th Heaven" said Oli Boulais, co-owner of Organic Snowboards "and just ride down the cat track."

The tops of the mountains offer incredible views in the sunshine. On the backside of Whistler's Peak the sun lingers on the view across Cheakamus Lake.

"My favourite thing about spring riding is that it stays sunny on the hill later than the village, so I stash myself a couple of beers, and just hang out on the hill with some friends" recommends Jeremy.

Although there is rain forecast for the next few days, don't let it put you off riding the mountains. With over 8,100 skiable acres, there's always an elevation of the mountain worth checking out. Rain in the valley often means powder up top, so take the lifts into the alpine and ride right to the base to find the best elevation. Because the weather can be so varied, wear lightweight waterproofs, with technical underlayers - to keep warm on the lifts and cool when you're riding.

Although the powder can be incredible on a rainy day, it's worth trying the slush near the base too - especially if the powder gets heavy. Another bonus of rain in the village, is that fewer people go skiing, which means shorter lift lineups and more untracked powder for you!

But spring isn't just about relaxing, if you feel like an adventure Whistler heliskiing is open until the end of April.

Or for a challenge try the parks. Whistler has a large park off Emerald Chair, complete with beginner, intermediate and more advanced areas. The park stretches from the top to almost the bottom of the chair this year, so you'll be busy all run. It's best to start with the smallest parks and work your way up.

On Blackcomb the Nintendo Terrain Park, on Choker, is the intermediate park. It has a good number of medium-sized jumps, hips, rails, boxes, quarter-pipes and a small half-pipe, and at the bottom a larger half-pipe.

The beginner's terrain garden is off Easy Out on Big Easy. For expert riders, there is the Highest Level, also on Blackcomb. This park requires a special pass and a helmet to enter. Even if huge jumps and rails aren't your thing, it's still worth a look. By taking Catskinner chair, you will be taken right over the top of the park. With the riders flying right underneath you.

After a few hours riding, you'll want a break. There are great decks at the Roundhouse (explore, there's more than you think), Horstman Hut, or on the tables outside the Rendezvous.

Crystal Hut is perfect if you like waffles with your sunshine. All of the restaurants sell ice-cream and beer. Towards the end of the day, the snow can get very melted and soupy, the perfect opportunity to head down early to the patios and get a head start on après.

To rent ski or snowboard equipment check out whistlerblackcomb.com/rentals or www.whislter.com.

Have fun out there.