Each spring, resorts close with their entire mountain covered in soft, slushy snow, and they open up in the fall with one crusty, crowded run. But when you’ve got the itch, you’ve gotta scratch it. Our Online Editor, Jens Heig, and I headed to Loveland for opening day to scratch that itch, and decided to offer the internet our advice on navigating the first day of the snowboard season.

1. Don’t get there early.

Unless you’re trying to get first chair — in which case, early means like two days prior — there’s no need to get to the mountain first thing in the morning on opening day. Give the ice rink a couple hours to thaw first.

2. Don’t park at the back of the lot.

There is no such thing as a full parking lot, and this goes for resort parking, always. But if you show up at the crack of noon on opening day, right as the snow’s getting soft, you’ll be able to slide into the prime and recently vacated space of a telemarker that got there at dawn.

[videocaption]In this video, I demonstrate why riding a new board in preseason conditions is a bad idea. Who put those rocks in the landing?[/videocaption]

3. Don’t ride a new board or boots.

As tough as it is to resist getting on new equipment, exercising a little self control here will pay off. Opening day is always sharky and you don’t want one of those fins finding its way to the core of a brand new board. Breaking in new boots is the worst. You haven’t snowboarded in a while. Don’t make things harder on yourself.

4. Don’t wear a backpack.

Riding with a pack does not feel as good as riding without one. No exceptions. Sometimes it’s necessary, but opening day at any resort means the distance between you and the base of the hill — and your car if you know how to park — is minimal. What could you possibly need with you while sliding down a single crusty run that you can’t keep in your pockets? For this reason, we shot all video and photos for this post on an iPhone.

5. Don’t hit the park first run.

The absolute worst thing you can do on opening day is get hurt. Skip the rail setup until you’re warmed up.

6. Don’t forget beer.

You got to the mountain before noon, you found a parking spot up front, you managed to resist the urge to take your new board out of the plastic, and you didn’t ride with a backpack, so the only alcohol you’ve consumed was what you could fit in your pocket. You deserve a cold one. But why pay resort prices when you can grab a six pack on your way up and have your beer waiting for you in the car?

See also: Statements: Riding deep Japanese pow with Antti Autti, chapter 2