Resorts Welcome Skiers and Riders with Parties, Races, Concerts, and Pond-skimming
Jeremy Swanson, Aspen Snowmass
Spring has sprung at Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) member ski areas and resorts, with mild temperatures, blue skies, and soft snow. Spring skiing in Colorado features carved turns on fresh groomed runs, playing in late season powder, and fun resort events and activities for the whole family. Colorados dry air, high elevation, strong sunshine, and ample late spring snow mean that some of the best ski days of the season are still to come.
From pond skims and brewfests to unorthodox races and concerts galore, April in Ski Country has something for everyone. Below is a roundup of springtime celebrations happening at CSCUSA resorts in what is typically the second snowiest month in the high country.
Arapahoe Basin
The 27th Annual Enduro – Wednesday, April 13
Dave Camara, Arapahoe Basin
Arapahoe Basins Enduro is a full day of fun both on and off the hill to benefit a member of the local community. Spectators can cheer on 35 teams of two as they lap the Pallavicini Lift and terrain for 10 hours for bragging rights over who can complete the most laps. Additionally, teams of two can enter the Enduro Light, an all-mountain ski tour in the spirit of the Enduro all to benefit Dave Repsher, the Flight for Life nurse and paramedic critically injured in last summers Flight for Life helicopter crash. All are welcome at the ski areas aprs party, with live music from High 5, a huge silent auction and an Italian dinner. To donate or learn more about this event, visit http://bit.ly/Enduro2016.
Earth Day Dinner and a Movie Friday, April 22, 2016
Join guest speakers from the film and Snowriders International to learn more about how climate change affects winter recreation and what we can do to ensure a more sustainable future. Proceeds benefit Snowriders International. The film Shifting Ice + Changing Tides features a human and wind powered, female led, expedition to the west coast of Greenland to visually document the recession of glaciers and ski first descents. Cost is $20 and includes a taco buffet dinner; showtime is 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.arapahoebasin.com.
Aspen Snowmass
Bacon Appreciation Day – April 3 at Buttermilk
Jeremy Swanson, Aspen Snowmass
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 throughout the day, kids games in the base area, a bacon and beer happy hour at Bumps restaurant as well as a bartenders brawl featuring Aspen Skiing Company bartenders duking it out for the honors of the best bacon inspired cocktail. 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 https://www.aspensnowmass.com.
Schneetag April 10 at Aspen Highlands
Taking place Sunday, April 10 at the bottom of Aspen Highlands, the eighth 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, but pre-registration is required. Visit http://www.aspensnowmass.com to register now.
Copper Mountain
Tripp Fay, Copper Mountain
USASA National Championships, April 1-12
Copper is proud to host the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Associations National Championship for the 10th year. This event is the largest amateur snowboarding and freesking event on earth, and welcomes top athletes from around the nation to compete for the title of National Champion. More than 1,900 top amateur athletes will compete in events including Slalom, Giant Slalom, Banked Slalom, Halfpipe, Rail Jam, Slopestyle, and Boarder and Skier Cross. For a detailed schedule of events, visit CopperColorado.com.
Sunsation presented by Dos Equis, April 16-17
Coppers annual closing weekend celebration, Sunsation, is back for another year on April 16-17, 2016. Close out another awesome winter season with live music, Dos Equis and plenty of springtime fun to go around. The weekend kicks off with the 5th annual RedBull Slopesoakers on Saturday, April 16. A twist on the traditional pond-skim challenge, this contest allows competitors to strut their stuff across floating rails and other features. Wrap up the weekend with Coppers historic Eenie Weenie Bikini Contest on Sunday, April 17. This on-snow bikini contest is sure to have guests enjoying their last day of the season. For a full weekend schedule, check out CopperColorado.com.
Crested Butte
Closing Weekend Events at Crested Butte Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3
On Saturday, April 2, 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 CB Unplugged concert at Butte 66 featuring Coral Creek at 4:00 p.m. 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 1 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 2 is the parade down Elk Avenue starting at 2nd and Elk at 11:00 a.m. On Sunday, April 3 the King and Queen will be holding court all day on Flauschink hill, above Uleys Cabin at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. After the fun day on the hill, guests can stop at Butte 66 to listen to Uptown Toodelou String Band, a Grateful Dead cover band at 2 pm. For more information about Closing Weekend events at Crested Butte, visit www.skicb.com/events.
The Ultimate Snowmobiler Friday through Sunday, April 8-10.
This third annual contest will crown the Ultimate Snowmobiler by competing inHillclimb and Winter Terracross. The Ultimate Snowmobiler takes place after the ski area closes allowing the whole resort to be a playground for snowmobile access. Competitors and spectators come from all over to participate and watch all the snowmobile events in sunny Colorado during the spring time. From climbing legendary Crested Butte steeps in the hillclimb, to racing TerraCross in circles at the base area. New for 2016, there will be foot traffic lift rides, live music on Friday and Saturday nights at Butte 66, and outdoor grill going mid-mountain at Uley’s for spectators to enjoy food mid-mountain. For more information, visit www.skicb.com/snowmobile.
Eldora
Eldoras Annual Retro Day / Brewfest April 2
Eldora Mountain Resort
Guests at Eldora on Saturday, April 2 should plan to grab the neon one-piece out of the closet and throw the 210cm skis on their ski rack to enjoy Retro Day at Eldora Mountain Resort. This year, the resort is hosting a Brewfest in conjuction with its end of the year celebration; guests can sample fine craft brews while they show off their finest threads from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. For more information, visit www.eldora.com.
Monarch
Kayaks on Snow April 9
Monarchs signature event kicks off the start to whitewater season. Come watch a crew of kayakers race down a snowy course of berms, turns and twists into an icy pond. Free to watch; must register in advance. For information on registering, email mktg@skimonarch.com.
Closing Day Tailgate & Gunbarrel Challenge April 10
Join Monarch on their closing day for a tailgate party in the parking lot and the Gunbarrel Ski/Snowboard challenge. For more information, please visit www.skimonarch.com.
Loveland
New Belgium Mountain Adventure Saturday, April 2
New Belgium Brewing and Loveland Ski Area team up to bring back what has easily become one of Lovelands most popular events, the New BelgiumMountain Adventure Scavenger Hunt.Participating guests start by building their team of up to 4 people, then choose a unique team name and pick out some creative costumes for bonus points.Registration begins the morning of April 2, starting at 9am on the patio at the base of Loveland Basin for only $10 with all proceeds benefiting local non-profit organization Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado. Participating guests will spend the day chasing chickens, searching for Bigfoot and answering ridiculous riddles all while enjoying a great day skiing and riding on the slopes of Loveland Ski Area.Prizes will be awarded for the most points earned and everyone over 21 gets to enjoy delicious New Belgium Beer at the aprs party. For more information, visit www.skiloveland.com.
Spring Fling Indie Ski Demo Saturday, April 9
Dustin Schaefer, Loveland
Lovelands Spring Fling Indie Ski Demo is a good chance to get a sneak peek at next years best gear from some of the best boutique ski brands around. Loveland has invited several independent ski manufacturers to join them with their fleet of 2016/17 skis to join us for a Spring Demo Day.Guests can give the skis a full test drive on the ski areas 1,800 acres of terrain.
Participation is free with a valid lift ticket or pass. Simply check-in the morning of at the Loveland Tent which will be set up on snow at Loveland Basin. A signed waiver along with a drivers license and credit card for deposit will be required. Demos will begin at 9am with the last pairs of skis going out at 2:30pm. Skiing Magazine will be on site with swag and Aprs Ski features live music on the Basin Patio, great drink specials, and a raffle for all participants. For more information, visit www.skiloveland.com.
Purgatory
Purgatory Resort
Purgatorys Final 50th Season Party Angels & Demons Day, Saturday April 2
Skiers and snowboarders can don their best angel or devil costume and head to Purgatory Resort for the final bash of the season hosted by Ska Brewing on Purgatory’s Beach. The party features live music, costume contests, beach games, and an attempt to break the World Record for having the most Angels and Demons on the slopes.Guests can save 30 percent on lodging during Purgatorys last 50th anniversary party, Mar. 31- Apr. 4. Call 800-525-0892 or book online.
Steamboat
Springalicious – April 1-10
Incredible Colorado bluebird sunny days, hilarious and fun events, along with a boatload of Champagne Powder snow means that spring will shine a whole lot brighter in Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.. The Steamboat Ski Area celebrates the close of the 2015/16 winter season with a week-long festival including a boatload of Springalicious festivities, fun events such as the Cardboard Classic, Splashdown Pond Skim, Codys Challenge, Red Ball Express and free Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concerts every weekend. For more information, visit www.steamboat.com.
Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concerts – April 2, 9 & 10
The Steamboat Ski Area will again be rocking during the winter ski and snowboard season as the Rocks the Boat Free Concert Series returns for the 17th 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 spring lineup includes: Goonies, Jakubi, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Ozomatli and a soon to be announced band for closing day. For more information, visit www.steamboat.com.
Telluride
Closing Day Celebration April 3
Tellurides Closing Day celebration will begin at Gorrono Ranch with the annual Pond Skim competition. Registration will take place from 10 am to 11 am and the first 75 participants to sign up will secure their spot in the competition. Its free to participate and costumes are encouraged. The actual Pond Skim kicks off at 12:00 pm and spectators can take advantage of drink specials from Titos Vodka, SweetWater Brewing and Telluride Brewing Company. DJ Soul Atomic will also be on hand to provide tunes during and after the Pond Skim.
Simultaneously, Cranford Hollow will take the stage in Mountain Village at 12:30 to kick-off the live music for the day. Based in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Cranford Hollow performs a blended mix of Southern Rock, Appalachian Fiddle Music and American Rock and Roll. The London Souls will play from 3:15 pm until 4:45 pm when the 2015-2016 ski season officially comes to a close. For more information, visit www.tellurideskiresort.com.
Winter Park
Minus Zero Festival April 2-3
Winter Park is hosting a weekend of winter sports and electronic music during the Minus Zero Festival April 2-3. Minus Zero will feature headlining sets from Diplo and Kaskade and over 15 other DJs across two stages, including Manufactured Superstars, Illenium,Bass Physics, DJ Shiftand local support acts. Prices start at $95 for a day pass or $175 for both days. Lift passes and VIP options are also available. The festival is open to 18 and older. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.minuszerofestival.com.
Free Springtopia Concerts April 23
One of the most anticipated events Winter Park holds all year, this years free Springtopia concerts will take place on Saturday, April 23 with Denver institution The Rick Lewis Project taking the stage at 12:30 p.m. before giving way to G. Love & Special Sauce, a Colorado favorite for decades, at 2 p.m. Headliners American Authors will then cap the jam-packed afternoon of music at 4 p.m. The next day, Winter Park Resorts 2015-16 season comes to a close with the often imitated, but never duplicated Spring Splash pond skim on Sunday, April 24 from 12-3 p.m.For more information, visit www.winterparkresort.com.
Wolf Creek
Closing Weekend Festivities April 2-3
Closing Day at Wolf Creek tentatively falls on Sunday, April 3. Closing weekend festivities begin Saturday, April 2nd with a College Day. College students with a valid college photo I.D. and printed, current class schedule can purchase a $43 lift ticket. The Howlin Wolf Super-G Race will be Saturday, April 2nd also. This true Super G will be from the top to the bottom of Wolf Creek and will benefit the Wolf Creek Ski Team. Space is limited; race begins at 9:30 a.m.
Discounts continue closing day, April 3 with a Local Appreciation Day. Skiers and riders can purchase lift tickets at the special rate of $43 for adults, $26 for seniors and $24 for children; no I.D. required. April 3 will also be the last race in the Fun Race Series for the 2015-2016 ski season. Participants can compete for medals in 28 different age brackets; the race begins at 11:00 a.m. with the award ceremony beginning at 3:30 p.m. on the sun deck of the main day lodge. For more information, visit www.wolfcreekski.com.
