Hopefully, you've seen our related post on 6 Reasons to Ski This Spring and you're planning a late season ski trip. So, where should you go? Our team brings you our favorite destinations in the East, West and Rockies...we even have you covered through the summer.
Sugarloaf, ME (Estimated closing date: May-2)
Not to be outdone by its Vermont counterpart (see below), Sugarloaf has a claim to the New England Spring Skiing throne. Though its season is typically a few weeks shorter than Killington’s, the largest resort east of the Rockies makes up for it with legendary spring conditions and events. The crown jewel of Sugarloaf’s spring season is Reggae Fest – a three day party that mixes sunshine, soft skiing, and altogether good vibes. Sugarloaf's 34th Annual Reggae Fest is happening April 7-10, tickets required.
Killington, VT (Estimated Closing Date: May-30)
“The Beast of the East”. “The King of Spring”. Killington is the destination for spring skiing on the east coast. With a season that regularly stretches into mid-May and sometimes even further (closing day in 2017 was June 1st), Killington usually has the last patch of snow you’ll find in New England. The resort’s spring signature is its legendary mogul skiing (preferably in appropriate 80’s attire) on the bumps of Outer Limits and Superstar. This year, Killington is teaming up with Bud Light Seltzer again to host Dazed and Defrosted (April 16) – featuring live music, on snow demos, and all the bumps you could ever ski!
Kirkwood, CA (Estimated Closing Date: May-1)
Thanks to the "K-Factor," Kirkwood preserves high quality snow. Buffered by its 7,800’ base elevation and North facing slope aspects, Kirkwood can easily keep its lift spinning throughout April. The entire Tahoe region is legendary for getting hit by late season storms.
Snowbird, UT (Estimated Closing Date: May-1)
Snowbird has the longest season in Utah. The Bird has yet to announce a closing date, but as of April 4, snowfall for the season exceeded 330 inches. Snowbird is known for its legendary spring dumps - in 2019, Snowbird received more than 65 inches of snow in the first half of April. In years passed, Snowbird has remained open through Memorial Day weekend. Meanwhile, the patio at the base is perfect for soaking up some sun while grabbing a beer at the end of the day. Have fun watching locals dress up in their favorite retro one-piece and vintage ski gear.
Winer Park, CO (Estimated Closing Date: May-22)
Winter Park has fun terrain to entertain first timers to seasoned experts all spring long. There are lots of family friendly activities too. The Winer Park Country Bash is scheduled for April 9, be ready to ride the mechanical bull, axe throwing, horseshoes, and a free concert from country music artist Nikki Lane. The town of Winter Park is a short drive away.
Arapahoe Basin, CO (Estimated Closing Date: June-1)
With its base area at nearly 11,000 feet, A-Basin stays at sufficiently cold temperatures to maintain snow on the ski trails well into summer. In fact, the resort has never closed prior to June for the last five years, making it a must visit destination for spring and summer skiing in Colorado (fun fact: snow depth was a ridiculous 69” on closing day in 2019). Located along I-70 and less than two hours from Denver International Airport, out of town visitors can easily snag some turns before heading to lower elevations for hiking or mountain biking in a single trip. After a day charging the slopes, head down to the “Beach” for one of the best tailgate parties in the ski world.
> Related Content: Insider Guide to Arapahoe Basin
Breckenridge, CO (Estimated Closing Date: May-30)
Breckenridge also benefits from relatively high altitudes to consistently operate well into spring, with some seasons extending into Memorial Day. The lively town of Breckenridge features events, activities, festivals, restaurants, bars, and shopping for the days when the skiing is not stellar. This frontier town also offers year-round activities like biking, hiking, and rafting when the weather warms and ski crowds thin.
Mammoth Mountain, CA (Estimated Closing Date: May-30)
Mammoth Mountain tends to stay open through Memorial Day. The Panoramic Gondola is key to enjoying quality snow here late into the season — Mammoth can operate just the upper half of the mountain. Meanwhile, with one of the deepest snowpacks in the United States and a peak elevation of 11,023 feet, the snow sticks around. Mammoth receives ~300 days a year of sunshine, which means spring skiing requires being strategic in finding areas that have softened in the sun. The town of Mammoth Lakes is also beautiful in the spring and you will occasionally see the bike park open at the same time as the slopes, making for some great, two-sport days.
Timberline Lodge, OR (Estimated Closing Date: August 28!)
No spring skiing list would be complete without Timberline, where the lifts never close. Yes, you read that correctly: this resort is open for skiing and snowboarding 12 months a year. Located on the slopes of Mt. Hood, Timberline’s “Palmer” and “Magic Mile” lifts are built on a glacier (known as “Palmer Snowfield”) that never fully melts. Interestingly, the “Palmer” lift is actually closed during winter months because of high wind and ice accumulation.
If year-round turns sound too good to be true, there are a couple caveats. First, the majority of the resort’s 1,400 acres close around April or May, just like the other picks for spring skiing on this list. Second, from June to August, most of the Palmer Snowfield is reserved for summer camps or pro athletes in training. However, the resort does maintain at least one section for the general public. And finally, operations are very limited in September (they need to do maintenance at some point!) and only open on weekends if the weather and conditions permit.
We don’t recommend planning your annual ski vacation to Timberline for June. But if you’ve ever dreamed about bragging that your ski season was 12 months long, Timberline is one of the only places in the country you can do it.
> Related Content: 7 Tips For a Great Summer Visit to Mount Hood
**All closing dates are estimates from snowpak.com
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