Tripp Fay, Copper Mountain
Spring has sprung at Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member ski areas and resorts, with warm temperatures, blue skies, and soft snow. Spring skiing in Colorado means carved turns on fresh groomed runs, pushing around late season powder, and fun resort events and activities for the whole family. Below is a roundup of springtime celebrations happening at CSCUSA resorts in April and beyond, including tentative closing dates.
Although spring has arrived, there is still a lot of ski season left as Colorado has one of the longest ski seasons in the country, often stretching well into May. Keep up to date on snowfall totals with the CSCUSA snow report updated by the resorts themselves: http://www.coloradoski.com/snow-report.
Arapahoe Basin
Beach N Egg Hunt Sunday, April 5
A-Basin will host a free egg hunt with over 5,000 eggs filled with fun goodies. Featuring the Easter bunny and chicken, the egg hunt will kick off at 10:30am on Molly Hogan (for non-skiing little kids) and at 11:30am at Wrangler (for skiing and snowboarding bigger kids). The Easter Bunny will hide a golden egg with a Child’s 15/16 Season Pass, one on Molly Hogan and one on Wrangler. For more information, visit www.arapahoebasin.com.
26th Annual Enduro, An Arapahoe Basin Endurance Tradition Wednesday, April 15
Thirty teams of two take laps up the Pallavicini (Pali) chair and either ski or ride down the mountain on designated lines from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm without stopping. This popular spring event is already sold out; however, guests can call 888.272.7246 to be added to the waitlist. All guests are welcome at the Enduro Aprs Party at the A-Frame, featuring music, a silent auction and a pasta dinner featuring Summit County’s own Broken Compass Brewing Company beer- specially brewed for the 2015 Enduro. The 2015 Enduro is a benefit for Maddie Walton, an A-Basin employee who is fighting breast cancer. For more information, visit www.arapahoebasin.com.
Shakin at the Basin May Concert Series Saturdays in May
Every Saturday in May, Arapahoe Basin will host live music from 1:00 pm 4:00 pm at the ski area base featuring a diverse array of local artists. Guests are encouraged to use the free Summit Stage bus to and from A-Basin to see the shows. The lineup is:
May 2: Whitewater Ramble
May 9: Euforquestra
May 16: Funkiphino
May 23: Wash Park
May 30: High Five
For more information about the Shakin at the Basin concert series, visit ww.arapahoebasin.com.
Aspen Snowmass
Jeremy Swanson, Aspen Snowmass
Bacon Appreciation Day at Buttermilk Sunday, April 5
In celebration of Buttermilks closing day, the mountain hosts an annual Bacon Appreciation Day featuring a schedule of all things bacon including bacon waffles at the summit in the morning, bacon samplers around the mountain, bacon wrapped scallops at Patrol Headquarters, kids games in the base area, bacon desserts and happy hour at Bumps restaurant as well as a bartenders brawl featuring the best bacon inspired cocktails. A cost is associated with the lunches, happy hour and the bartenders brawl, but all other bacon items are free while supplies last. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
Schneetag at Aspen Highlands- Sunday, April 12
The seventh annual Schneetag (pronounced Sch-knee Tog) invites teams of four to create a craft they will pilot down a slope and attempt to float across a 75 by 20 foot pond. Schneetag is the German word for “snow day.” Put simply, it translates to “daredevils willing to propel themselves down a hill, over a jump and across a pond on a craft they built themselves.” Each team will present a theme and perform a skit before they descend. Entry is free. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
Copper Mountain
Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 5
Coppers Easter Egg Hunt has increased from 50,000 to 65,000 eggs. New this year, 15,000 eggs are plant-based biodegradable. As part of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle movement, Copper encourages participants to turn in empty eggs to be re-loaded for reuse in future years. There are different hunts for kids of all ages from 3 and under in Coppers Center Village to adults in an on-mountain hunt to include the resorts Sherpa app. For more information, visit www.coppercolorado.com.
The Color Run Saturday, April 11
The Color Run is back with its signature 5K snow run and Copper Mountain Resort is proud to play host for the second year. Also known as The Happiest 5k on the Planet, The Color Run is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality. This run on snow adds a twist, taking place on a snow path all around Copper Mountain. Registration is now open at www.coppercolorado.com.
Season Ender Bender Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19
The Ender Bender celebration kicks off with the 4th annual Red Bull Slope Soakers contest. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, competitors have the chance to strut their stuff in a slopestyle rail jam format. Space is limited, register online in advance at CopperColorado.com. At 1:00 p.m., Burning Stones Plaza transforms into Dragas playground with the Dos Equis Aprs Series presented by World of Adventure. Free live music kicks off at 2:00 p.m. with Denvers P-Nuckle followed by headliner Reel Big Fish at 3:30 p.m.
On Sunday at 1:30 p.m., guys and gals show off their best beach wear in the infamous Eenie Weenie Bikini Contest. Contestants make their way down from the base of the Main Vein Halfpipe via skis or snowboard and give their best show to a panel of judges. Registration for Eenie Weenie Bikini will be open both Saturday and Sunday in Burning Stones Plaza for just $20. From 1:00 5:00 p.m., World of Adventure once again presents the Dos Equis Aprs Series with the Feast of the Brave and Big Air Challenge. Free live music from 3:00 5:00 p.m. with Denver-based Oakhurst rounds out the weekend. For more information on Coppers Closing Weekend events, visit www.coppercolorado.com.
Crested Butte
Closing Weekend Events at Crested Butte Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5
On Saturday, April 4, guests can compete or watch the rail jam on Warming House Hill at noon followed by the annual Slush Huck Pond Skim at 2 pm. The day ends with a free Aprspalooza concert at Butte 66 featuring Stephen Kellogg at 4:00 p.m.
Guests at Crested Butte on closing day (Sunday, April 5) are invited to enjoy Easter with a bit of mountain flair. The Town of Mt. Crested Butte will host their annual Easter Egg hunt for kids 10 and under. Aprs ski at Butte 66 will feature live music beginning at 3:00 pm.
In addition, the town of Crested Butte hosts Flauschink, which is the flushing out of winter into spring. With this tradition and folklore comes many activities. Friday, April 3 is the Annual Royal Coronation Ball at Elk Ave Prime with live polka music, culminating with the naming of the new King and Queen. Saturday, April 4 is the parade down Elk Avenue starting at 2nd and Elk at 11:00 a.m. On Sunday, April 5 the King and Queen will be holding court all day on Flauschink hill, above Uleys Cabin at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. For more information about Closing Weekend events at Crested Butte, visit www.skicb.com.
The Ultimate Snowmobiler Friday through Sunday, April 10-12.
This Second Annual snowmobile contest will crown the Ultimate Snowmobiler by competing in seven different events, which include Hillclimb, Snocross, Hillcross, Hilldrags, Sno Ovals, Freestyle and Winter Terracross. The Ultimate Snowmobiler takes place after the ski area closes allowing the whole resort to be a playground for snowmobile mayhem. Competitors and spectators come from all over to participate and watch all the snowmobile events in sunny Colorado during the spring time. Its a unique opportunity to showcase all seven events in one venue, from climbing legendary Crested Butte steeps in the hillclimb, to launching big jumps in the Freestyle, or racing head to head in the Snocross, theres something exciting for everyone. For more information, visit www.skicb.com/snowmobile.
Loveland
Corn Harvest Benefit for The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) – Saturday, April 25
Dustin Schaefer, Loveland
Guests to Loveland on April 25 can celebrate spring skiing and support the CAIC, an invaluable source of information for backcountry travelers and the Colorado Department of Transportation, at the 13th Annual Corn Harvest. Guests don their best Hawaiian shirts and Loveland will provide the leis. Participating skiers and snowboarders will Loveland raise funds for the CAIC and tour Lovelands sweet spots with local experts, enjoy live music on the basin patio and win great prizes in the raffle stocked with skis, beacons, packs, gloves, and more. Packages are available for the event and include lift ticket, lunch, New Belgium beer and raffle ticket. Join Loveland for a great day of skiing and fun for a good cause; for more information visit www.skiloveland.com.
Monarch
Kids Fest Sunday, April 5
Kids Fest is a free day of activities for kids 10 and under. From 10:00 am 2:00 pm, Monarch will host face painting, a helmet decorating station, interactive snow sculptures, an Easter Egg hunt, a kids terrain park challenge and more. Kids will get to meet Safety Sam, explore Monarchs snow cats and meet the Avalanche Dogs.
Kayaks on Snow Saturday, April 11
Monarch Mountain
Kayaks on Snow is a Monarch classic. Contestants race head to head down a specially designed course that ends in an icy pond. This event is as fun to watch as it is to race, with prizes for the top four kayakers and giveaways for onlookers. For more information or to register, contact Monarch at (719) 530-5000.
Closing Day Tailgate Party Sunday, April 12
Guests at Monarch can celebrate the end of ski season and the beginning of whitewater season at Monarchs annual cook off and tailgate party, featuring the Gunbarrel Challenge. Challengers will run on foot up the Gunbarrel run and ski down. First one down wins. Challengers will have to carry their gear up with them. This is a special event for Monarchs 75th Anniversary, highlighting the ski areas first run. For more information about Closing Weekend events at Monarch, visit www.skimonarch.com.
Purgatory
Season Celebration Saturday and Sunday April 4-5
Saturday, April 4 is Gaper Day at Purgatory, featuring a costume contest with great prizes and fun beach games for those with the best retro ski outfits. Sponsored by the Ska Brewing Company, the contest will run from 2:30 pm 5:00 pm with live music by Ralph Dinosaur at Purgys.
Sunday, April 5 features a free egg hunt for kids aged 10 and under beginning at 10:30 am in the Kid Zone by Lift 4. For more information on Closing Weekend at Purgatory, visit www.skipurg.com.
Ski Granby Ranch
Rock the Ranch, March Sunday, April 5
Live music and outdoor barbeques every Saturday are rocking Granby Ranch this April. Ski Granby Ranch is hosting its annual Beach Bash on March 28 with a new pond skim event for 2015. Guests can enjoy an outdoor barbeque, live music, snow cones, yard games, and drink specials from the snow bar to ring in spring starting at 11:00am. Skiers and snowboarders are welcome to try out the pond skim to see if they can make it across the pond or at least create the biggest splash. The pond skim starts at 2:00pm so dont miss out on the show and some great costumes.
Closing day is going to be full of Easter celebration on April 5. Guests can participate in a sunrise service at the top of the mountain at Vista Ridge at 6:30am and then spend the day with great music, take photos with the Easter Bunny, and participate in an Easter Egg hunt. The hunt starts at 10:00am at the base for the little ones. Skiers and snowboarders who search for Easter eggs on the East Mountain may find a 2015-16 Ski Granby Ranch season pass. For more information, visit www.granbyranch.com.
Steamboat
Springalicious Festival April 1-12, 2015
Incredible Colorado bluebird sunny days, hilarious and fun events, along with a boatload of Champagne Powder snow mean that spring will shine a whole lot brighter in Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.. The Steamboat Ski Area celebrates spring and the close of the 2014/15 winter season with a two-week festival of Springalicious festivities, special spring programs, fun events such as the 7th Codys Challenge randonee race on April 4; 35th Cardboard Classic and Ski Heritage Hall of Fame events on April 11; 8th Splashdown Pond Skim on April 12 and three free music concerts. For more information, visit www.steamboat.com/springalicious.
Bud Light Rocks the Boat Free Concert Series – April 4, 11 & 12, 2015
The Steamboat Ski Area will be rockin during the winter ski and snowboard season as the Rocks the Boat Free Music Series returns for the 16th season offering a great mixture of various musical genres. The Rocks the ‘Boat series has brought together everything from bluegrass and New Orleans style rhythm & blues to a traditional Irish sound to flat out rock and roll. The Steamboat Ski Area closes out the 2014/15 winter ski and snowboard season with American funk band The Motet on Saturday, April 4; followed by a blow-out, end-of-season weekend of music on Saturday April 11 with a special performance by The Infamous Stringdusters; followed on Sunday, April 12 by Grammy award-winning reggae band Steel Pulse. For more information, visit www.steamboat.com/concerts.
Telluride
Closing Day Pond Skim & Party Sunday, April 5
Telluride Ski Resort will close the season with its annual Pond Skim & Party at Gorrono Ranch. Located mid-mountain, Gorrono Ranch will build a pond for daring skiers and riders to cross. Guests can test their mettle attempting to ski or snowboard across a frigid pond of freezing water. Then, after the pond skimming, the Gorrono Ranch deck comes alive with a dance party.
Discounted ski & stay packages are available across the destination. Full details on the event and stay & ski packages can be found at www.tellurideskiresort.com.
Winter Park
Golden Bunny Classic Candy Hunt and Fun Race Sunday, April 5
Winter Park Willie and the Easter Bunny deliver holiday fun with an on-mountain candy hunt in Discovery Park as well as a base area egg hunt for children under 5. The ‘Bunny Race’ has been an Easter tradition for more than 37 years for children ages 10 and under. For more details, call the Guest Information Hotline at 970.726.1564 or visit www.winterparkresort.com.
Springtopia Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26
Winter Park Resorts annual rite of spring, Springtopia, returns closing weekend April 25-26 with two days packed full of fun. On Saturday, The Wallflowers will perform a free concert at the base and on Sunday, the 47th annual Coca-Cola Spring Splash pond skim will test ability and buoyancy in front of a packed house at Derailer Bar. For more information on all the Springtopia events and activities, as well as a number of special Springtopia-related lodging deals, please visit www.winterparkresort.com.
Wolf Creek
Rosanne Haidorfer-Pitcher, Wolf Creek
Closing Day at Wolf Creek tentatively falls on Easter Sunday this season. Local Appreciation rates will be in place, offering all skiers and riders that day with discounted tickets. Lift tickets will be $41 for adults and $24 for seniors and children. The Easter Bunny will visit the ski area and help host an Easter Egg Hunt for the little skiers and boarders on the mountain. To end the festivities for the day, Wolf Creek will have an Easter Day Fun Race. The course is a dual format modified giant slalom. Participants can compete for medals in 28 different age brackets. Races begin at 11:00 a.m.; awards are at 3:30 p.m. on the sun deck of the main day lodge. For more information, visit www.wolfcreekski.com.
CSCUSA Resort Closing Dates (subject to change)
March 15: Howelsen
March 23: Powderhorn
April 1: Sunlight
April 5:Buttermilk, Crested Butte, Purgatory, Ski Cooper, Ski Granby Ranch, Telluride, Wolf Creek
April 12: Aspen Highlands, Eldora, Monarch, Silverton, Snowmass, Steamboat
April 19: Aspen Mountain, Copper
April 26: Winter Park
May 3: Loveland
TBA:Arapahoe Basin
