With temperatures in the high 40’s in Crested Butte, it’s hard not to think of crocuses and daffodils.  Although, personally I am still hoping for at least 8 more powder days, some people are starting to make the mental transition to the verdant season of spring.  March in Crested Butte really highlights ‘classic’ Crested Butte–namely free-heel skiing and dressing up.  It’s our festival season with races of all kinds; endurance, goofy, hucking your meat and the like. . .and a lot of them are focused on free-heel equipment.   On March 13th we have the Big Air on Elk Comp.  Snow is trucked onto Elk Avenue and skiers are pulled by a snowmobile to launch off a jump and pulling tricks that will leave you awestruck.  In years past, it has been open to the public, but in an effort  to cut down on the inadvertent crashing into bystanders, the event organizers are requiring a certain amount of experience.  Shutting down the main street really changes the feel of town with pedestrians (as well as snowmobiles and skiers) replacing cars.  The same night will host a Big Hair on Elk party at the Brick Oven deck.  If you can’t do Big Air, do Big Hair.  Prizes will be given to biggest hair in both women’s and men’s divisions.  This is a fundraiser for the CBAC.  The next week, we have the Telemark Extremes starting on the 18th and running through Saturday.  Hopefully we’ll get a little more snow to pad up the extreme terrain that these skiers will be launching off of.  Always fun to spectate some great skiers from around the country who are taking Telemark skiing to a whole new level.  That Sunday (the 21st), is the Al Johnson Telemark Uphill/Downhill race.  Another fun event that involves months of costume planning for some.  The AJ is one of Crested Butte’s quintessential events combining this town’s love for skiing, dressing up, and celebrating (ie drinking).  The next weekend hosts the Grand Traverse, one of the most challenging ski races in the country.  The course of this race spans  from Crested Butte to Aspen over Star Pass and Taylor Pass for over 40’s miles requiring an enormous amount of skier fortitude.  And after that, it’s closing day for CBMR on April 4th.  Lift service skiing ends for the 09/10 winter, but that doesn’t mean people stop skiing.  Corn season around these parts have people skiing lines and shots that they’ve only looked at from afar throughout the winter. With a percolated consolidated snow pack eliminating variable conditions, you can ski new terrain with confidence. Enjoy the slow coming warmth of spring and come visit Crested Butte for one of our festive weekends or to ski some lines around Crested Butte that are on your ‘checklist’.