Night skiing is the sport of skiing or snowboarding after sundown, offered at many ski areas. There are usually floodlights – including LED lamps –[1] along the piste which allow for better visibility. The night skiing session typically begins around sunset, and ends between 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM.[2]
Night skiing offers reduced price access versus daylight hours. Trails at night are normally not as busy as during the day,[3] but there are usually fewer runs available.[4] The trails also tend to be icier than during the day, due to melting and refreezing.
A few ski resorts offer opportunities for night skiing wearing personal headlamps.[5]
History
Processions of skiers holding torches, lanterns or flares while skiing down a slope at night has been a scheduled event of winter festivals since at least 1903. The dramatic spectacle of torchlight ski descents is a program element at the Holmenkollen Ski Festival,[6]Nordic Games,[7] and ski resort holiday celebrations.
[8]
In the 1925 Winter Carnival at Rumford, Maine, night ski jumping was included.[9]