In Colorado Ski Country USA, springtime is the right time. Longer daylight hours mean more slope time, warmer temperatures mean more of those famous bluebird days, and thanks to location, location, location, March and April are typically the state’s snowiest months. With snowpack reaching its peak and spring storms delivering the goods well into May—and often beyond—Colorado is at its sun-drenched best when other winter playgrounds are winding down for the season.
For all those reasons and more, March, April, May, and even June are considered Colorado’s “hidden ski season.”
At least a dozen resorts regularly plan to stay open until April, and in especially snowy springs, season extensions are not unusual. Loveland Ski Area, perched atop the Continental Divide, aims to remain open until mid-May. Arapahoe Basin and Winter Park are known to stay open into late May and even June. In fact, rather than set a fixed closing date, Winter Park opts for ALAP, or “As Late As Possible.”
There’s nothing quite like skiing Colorado Ski Country USA in the spring: bright sun and clear blue skies, crystal clear vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see, crisp mountain air, and—when the sun begins to sink in the West and the shadows grow long—the camaraderie and conviviality of après-ski. With fewer visitors, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy less crowded slopes, more affordable lodging and ticket prices (barring the spring break rush), and most importantly of all, plenty of pristine powder.
Because the best part of the secret season is high-quality snow: deep, dry, and untouched.
At Arapahoe Basin, skiers and riders have access to over 1,400 acres featuring some of the most challenging in-bounds terrain in the state. Last season, thanks to substantial spring snowstorms, including 10 inches of snow in May, the ski area beloved by Colorado locals in the know secured the title of Longest Ski Season in the State. Open until June 16, A-Basin hosted snow lovers for a spectacular 222 days!
Purgatory Resort, a little piece of paradise in the San Juan Mountains, has excellent skiing in March and April, with deep snow, mild spring weather, and events for every interest. New this year, their Spring Fling Festival, March 17 through April 13, will feature live music, contests, giveaways, food and drink specials, and activities, culminating with the annual Pond Skim and Beach Party.
The four mountains of Aspen Snowmass (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass) typically post season close dates in mid-April, but when Mother Nature cooperates, their ski seasons can extend into late April and even early May. And the Aspen Snowmass spring season is legendary—both for conditions and events. Highlights include March’s Bud Light Spring Jam, featuring night skiing, music, and competitions, and closing parties like the famous Bacon Appreciation Day at Buttermilk and the Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party at Snowmass. Aspen Highlands hosts costume competitions, and Aspen Mountain’s iconic party on the Sundeck closes the season in style, with Hawaiian shirts and mountain merrymaking the likes of which are unmatched.
Eldora’s season runs until April 20; late March through closing is the resort’s primetime and it’s golden. Snowpack is at its deepest, every trail is open, and the slopes are blissfully uncrowded. As if that weren’t reason enough to visit in the spring, the resort’s proximity to the Front Range and Denver International Airport makes it a maximally convenient destination.
This season, Granby Ranch is introducing Spring Twilight Skiing, extending their lift hours until 5:30 pm from March 10–30 and allowing guests to enjoy golden hour skiing. Located only an hour-and-a-half drive from Denver, Granby Ranch can also be accessed easily with newly added train service, making it easier for UK visitors to experience the thrill of the spring skiing—from sunup to sundown—in Colorado Ski Country USA.
Make the most of your spring and discover why the Centennial State is the ultimate late-season winter playground. Because whether you’re carving first tracks first thing in the morning or soaking up après vibes in the sunshine, there’s a mountain for everyone in Colorado Ski Country USA.
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