My Spark is at home, I am away on business and will be home in a few days to try it out.  My first, non toy drone.  Anyway, in Sport mode going forward does it hold it's altitude or do I need to adjust the pitch while going forward to avoid controlled flight into terrain?

The Spark holds it's altitude. You just need to adjust the height when you are flying towards a hill. (Terrain follow like the Mavic is not supoorted by the spark)

Just make sure you are flying in GPS mode

while spark will hold altitude when going forward on flat ground.. it doesnt have follow the terrian... u'll have to adjust the height

It only uses the GPS in Sport - sensors off and no collision detection enabled. Just be careful and don't total it.....