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There are many snow conditions and each one requires different skiing techniques. The snow changes depending on the weather. One day there could be perfectly good powder. The next day either the sun might have melted some snow to make a hard crust or ice, or the wind might have blown it around.

Powder is a snow condition usually found in cold weather after a fresh snowfall. It is made up of light, dry flakes. Deep powder is a blanket of soft, dry, light powder of a foot or more deep. Many skiers think this is the best skiing experience. Packed powder is a condition in which the snow has been compacted into a firm mass. It also provides good skiing.

Spring conditions are due to freezing temperatures at night and above freezing temperatures during the day. The snow melts then reverses during the night into ice granules. By the afternoon, temperatures go up and the snow softens. It becomes heavy and slushy, which makes skiing difficult.

Every night, after the ski lifts close, "snow cats" work to break up the crust on the ski runs and level out the snow. If you ski first thing in the morning, you can ski on groomed slopes, which are perfect for high-speed runs and practicing techniques.

There are five major risks in skiing. The most important is having the right conditions. If the conditions are not right many injuries could happen. The main cause of fatalities is avalanches. Trees, moguls, and heavy snow are also dangerous. They cause many injuries.

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Two reasonably famous people died skiing. Both skied into a tree, but doing different things. Sonny Bono and Michael Kennedy are their names. Sonny Bono went tree bashing despite signs that said not to. Michael Kennedy played ski football and crashed into a tree while looking backwards for a pass.

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