Fast-changing daylight hours take big leaps between winter and spring in Alaska. For Alyeska Resort, that means shifting spring operations on the slopes.

The amount of daylight nearly doubles from 5.5 hours in January to 10.5 hours in March. The hours of daylight climb to more than 13 in April and hop up in May to nearly 17 hours. More hours of sunlight in the day yield one thing--softer snow.

Alyeska Resort operates on its regular daily schedule 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through March. Night skiing continues to run Thursdays through Saturdays until it winds up for the season March 26.

By April, lift hours shift with the increase in afternoon daylight. Chairlifts will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1-24. Lift ticket rates, however, will remain the same as winter.

Alyeska shifts to a three-day weekend schedule April 30 through May 30. The Tram and Chair 6 are tentatively scheduled to run 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Ticket rates are reduced during May due to fewer lifts running. Lift tickets for adults cost $40 while tickets ofr kids cost $15-35, depending on ages.

Several large events fill the calendar this spring at Alyeska Resort. The Alyeska Chugach Open, a big mountain competition March 17-20, features $13,000 in cash and prizes. The USSA Adaptive National Championships take place March 21-29, and the annual Spring Carnival fills a long weekend April 22-24 with a slush cup, kids races, a big air competition, live music, and costumes.

Alyeska's summer freeride camp returned to the slopes last summer after a hiatus of two years. The camp is schedule to run again this year June 4 - 9 and 11 - 16.

More information. Or call 800-880-3880.