Photo Credit: Aspen Snowmass
As March winds down, Colorado’s ski areas are in the midst of a great spring season with ideal conditions for experts, guests ready to learn to ski or snowboard and everyone in between. Late season features warmer temperatures perfect for learning or for those looking to enjoy a non-skiing activity or the mountain environment.
Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member ski areas will host events and activities throughout the spring including free concerts, pond skims, competitions and even kayak races. Lower late season lift ticket prices can also be found. Below is a selection of events across the state and up-to-date closing information including season extensions.
Shakin’ at the Basin Spring Concert Series (June 1-2)
Arapahoe Basin will celebrate closing weekend with live music on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 at the Mountain Goat Plaza. Guests can enjoy springtime’s longer days, sunnier skies and great snow conditions with a free, family-friendly concert from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.arapahoebasin.com.
Apres Music Festival (April 5-7)
The Après is a brand new three-day music and mountain festival that will be held on the snow at the base of Buttermilk during closing weekend. Featured artists include Umphrey’s McGee and The String Cheese Incident, among many others. Aside from musical performances, all four Aspen Snowmass mountains will be open for skiing, riding and celebrating spring.
Elk Camp Surf & Snow Beach Party (April 20)
Hosted at Snowmass during closing weekend, the Elk Camp Surf & Snow Beach Party will include a live DJ, a swimsuit ski parade, hot tubs, drink specials, margarita bike blenders and plenty of raffles and giveaways. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
Closing Weekend Celebrations (April 7)
Cooper’s closing weekend will feature many festivities for guests including a Ski with a Ranger program and live music.
$25 Spring Lift Ticket Deal
From April 1-7, 2019, Cooper will offer daily lift tickets for only $25. For more information, visit www.skicooper.com.
Slopesoakers Pond Skim (April 20)
Copper Mountain will bring a twist to the traditional pond skim with the 8th annual SlopeSoakers contest. Competitors will have the chance to strut their stuff across floating rails, helping Copper end another winter season in style.
Retro Shred-a-Thon (April 21)
On Copper Mountain’s Closing Day, the Retro Shred-a-Thon will return with retro gear to raise funds for injured mountain action sports athletes. Guests are encouraged to reach out for pledges and donations to the High Fives Foundation and wear throwback gear including one-piece snow suits, shaped snowboards, long poles and straight skis. For more information, visit www.coppercolorado.com.
Subaru WinterFest (March 22-24)
The biggest live music event to ever hit Eldora happens Friday through Sunday, March 22–24. On Friday, catch Trout Steak Revival, followed by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real on Saturday, and the Lil Smokies on Sunday. Incredible live music, giveaways, free snacks and beverages and much more.
Trick Ditch Banked Slalom Presented by 10 Barrel Brewing (April 6)
With $10,000 in prize money on the line, Colorado’s most anticipated spring snowboarding event will return to Eldora Mountain, on Saturday, April 6. Featuring a luge-like course with gates flanked by high berms, riders gain speed as they slingshot from side to side.
Pond Skim (April 13)
C’mon up to Eldora for our annual pond skim. We will be getting wet and wild all day on the mountain, with crazy costumes and live Salsa music from Onda. For more information, visit www.eldora.com.
Spring Splash at Blizzard Beach (March 30)
Granby Ranch will end the season in style with a last hurrah pond skim. The event will include a Tiki Bar, outdoor grill, live DJ and hula hoop contests from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.granbyranch.com.
Live Music at the Basin (May 4)
Loveland will ring in closing weekend with a live performance from A-Mac & The Height. Guests can enjoy excellent spring skiing, drink specials and live music from 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Neverland Banked Slalom (May 4)
Loveland Ski Area will team up with Never Summer and Toyota for the 2nd Annual Neverland Banked Slalom. This classic snowboard race will take place off Lift 6 and all ages and abilities are welcome. For more information, visit www.skiloveland.com.
13th Annual Kayaks on Snow (April 20)
Monarch Mountain’s signature event, Kayaks on Snow, offers family-friendly fun all afternoon. From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., contestants in kayaks will race head to head, like Skier Cross, down a specially designed course with berms, banks, and bumps, ending in an icy pond. After the event, awards and an after-party will be hosted in the Pioneer Room.
Parking Lot Cook-Off and Gunbarrel Challenge (April 21)
On Monarch Mountain’s last day of the 2018-19 season, the ski area will host tailgate BBQ’s and beach chairs in the parking lot, with judges awarding the top dishes a season pass for next season. The Gunbarrel Challenge is a race to run up and ski down the famous Gunbarrel run with the winner earning free swag and awards. For more information, visitwww.skimonarch.com.
Pond Skim (March 30)
One of Powderhorn’s most popular events, the pond skim will allow contestants to test their luck across Powderhorn’s man-made pond. Music for the skim will be provided by Powderhorn’s very own DJ Chanaconda with live music by Rapidgrass on the deck. For more information, visit www.powderhorn.com.
Pond Skim (April 7)
Purgatory Resort will celebrate nearing the end of the 2018-19 season with a pond skim on April 7, featuring a live DJ and an appearance from Ska Brewing. A prize ceremony will award the winning contestants for best skim, best wipeout and best costume. For more information, visit www.purgatoryresort.com.
16 Annual Brewski (April 13)
To kick off closing weekend, Silverton Mountain will host Brewski, an afternoon of beer tasting with Colorado’s finest microbreweries. This year, the theme is Canadian Tuxedos and Daisy Dukes, and guests are encouraged to rock their favorite denim atrocities. For more information, visit www.silvertonmountain.com.
Yard Sale! Spring Music Series (April 6-7)
The closing weekend of the Yard Sale! Spring Music Series at Sunlight will feature live music from Whiskey Stomp & Friends starting at 2 p.m., plus end-of-season retail sales on gear and apparel. For more information, visit www.sunlightmtn.com.
Closing Day Pond Skim (April 7)
Telluride will host a closing day pond skim at Gorrono Ranch featuring DJ Soul Atomic. The pond skim will be from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., followed by live music and family-friendly festivities. Immediately after the mountain closes, a concert in the Mountain Village Heritage Plaza will be keeping the party going. For more information, visit www.tellurideskiresort.com.
Spring Splash (April 21)
A long-standing tradition, Winter Park’s Spring Splash will feature skiers and riders struggling through obstacles on the Larry Sale Trail Race Course and attempting to skim across an icy pond to reach the finish line. Closing day will also feature spring-themed costumes and a live DJ at Derailer Bar. For more information, visit www.winterparkresort.com.
Appreciation Days (April 6-7)
On Saturday, April 6, college students will receive an adult lift ticket for only $50. Sunday, April 7 will be Local’s Appreciation Day at Wolf Creek, where everyone’s a local. With no proof of residency required, guests can enjoy $50 adult lift tickets, $33 senior lift tickets and $27 children’s lift tickets.
Challenge Series (April 6)
Wolf Creek will host the Howlin’ Wolf Super G/Downhill, a true Super G from the top of Wolf Creek to the bottom, during closing weekend. For more information, visit www.wolfcreekski.com.
Closing dates are subject to change based on conditions:
Listed by resort name:
| Arapahoe Basin | June 2 |
| Aspen Highlands | Daily until April 14, Fri-Sun until April 28 |
| Aspen Mountain | April 21 |
| Buttermilk | April 7 |
| Cooper | April 7 |
| Copper Mountain | April 21 |
| Echo Mountain | April 14 |
| Eldora | April 21 |
| Granby Ranch | March 31 |
| Hesperus | Fri-Sun until March 31 |
| Loveland | May 5 |
| Monarch | Daily until April 7, Fri-Sun until April 28 |
| Powderhorn | Daily until March 31, Fri-Sun as conditions allow |
| Purgatory | Daily until April 7, Fri-Sun as conditions allow |
| Silverton | April 14 |
| Snowmass | April 21 |
| Steamboat | April 14 |
| Sunlight | April 7 |
| Telluride | April 7 |
| Winter park | Daily until April 21, Mary Jane open until May 12 |
| Wolf Creek | Daily until April 7, Fri-Sun until April 21 |
