March is my favorite month in Fairbanks. It is breathtakingly beautiful. The sun is bright, temperatures are generally mild, and the snow conditions are superb. Also, we still get great auroras at night. And the days rocket past 12 hours of possible sunlight, so you can ski into the evening – with sunglasses. It is awesome.

Two days ago I had a brief race with a moose. I zipped on by while she decided to exit stage right. Funny how they often stop when just one or two trees stand between us, as though they are effectively hiding (not). Yesterday there was a flock of children out on skis with no poles. Most displayed remarkable agility and were clearly in their element.

Beautiful March ski trail

This winter is ending prematurely, with April-like temperatures and records being set into the low 50s. It almost makes you cry to see near perfection deteriorate into the slush and mud of breakup.

March sun shines on the ski trail

If my toes aren’t bleeding, and I haven’t checked, I may just go skiing again!

At these temperatures, perfection melts away all too quickly