Even though it’s still a few weeks away, spring is in the air this weekend in Ski Country. It’s always funny to me to see what crazy events happen at resorts when the days get longer and the snow gets softer. If pond skimming was an Olympic sport I think Coloradans would rule the podium.
The events listed below are just a sampling of what the resorts’ calendars have on the agenda for spring. If you head up just be sure to bring sun screen, a bathing suit and a pig costume.
ARAPAHOE BASIN
On March 13, Arapahoe Basin is hosting a Free Rail Jam in the Treeline Terrain Park, the first Rail Jam of the season. Contestants can slip-and-slide and show off their skills on the different features in the terrain park. Registration is free and begins at 12pm but participation is limited to the first 50 people.
For the month of March, Arapahoe Basin is selling a Spring 3-Pass. The pass costs $130 and is valid for three ski days at A-Basin to be used any time until closing day this season.The photo card pass will not be transferable. Spring 3-Pases will be on sale on A-Basins web site and at the season pass office. The ski area will stop selling these passes on March 31. Spring 3-Pass holders will receive two additional discounts: $10 off of a rental package and a half-day a.m. group lesson for $50. Regular unlimited season pass benefits will not apply to this pass. For more information, visit www.ArapahoeBasin.com.
Arapahoe Basin_CaseyDay
ASPEN/SNOWMASS
Aspen/Snowmass welcomes the tenth annual Bud Light Spring Jam on March 19-21 and March 26-28. The spring festival will bring two weekends of competitions, downtown concerts and parties.The festival kicks off on March 19 with the eleventh annual KickAspen Big Air, where skiers and snowboarders compete under the lights at the base of Aspen Mountain.Then the next night is the Core Party concert in downtown Aspen with musical guest Vampire Weekend.
A terrain park Boot Camp, March 20, 21, 27 and 28 offers both adults and kids instruction on how to slide a box or hit a rail in a mini-park on Snowmass. There will be two Bud Light Hi-Fi concerts throughout the event, Vampire Weekend on March 20 and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals on March 21, and the third annual Schneetag and Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls will once again join the Spring Jam lineup.
This spring, Aspen/Snowmass invites visitors to take advantage of deals on rental equipment and gear from Four-Mountain Sports with their Spring Hassle-Free Package. April 5-11 guests can ski and ride for less than $29 per day. Additionally, renters book four or more days of equipment rentals at Four-Mountain Sports, they get a seven-day lift ticket for just $199. Package must be booked by March 1, through a tour operator, and in combination with lodging. Terms and conditions apply. For more information, please visit www.AspenSnowmass.com or call 866-572-9632.
COPPER MOUNTAIN
This spring, Copper’s Sunsation celebrates its 10th year with Pepper, Los Lonely Boys, Pato Banton and Perpetual Groove all set to appear April 10-11, 17-18.Additionally, the Red Bull 1976 Games return to Copper for a 2nd year with team competitions that include snowblade cross and old school air, and The Collegiate Alt Games slopestyle competition.
Copper Mountain
New this year, Copper introduced the Swinger’s Pass. Guests with a valid and current 2009-10 picture season pass from any resort, including Copper, can purchase a one day lift ticket at Copper for $39. Blackout dates and restrictions apply. Please check www.CopperColorado.com for more information.
CRESTED BUTTE
On March 27 the entire Gunnison Valley is celebrating Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s major spring bluegrass event – the first annual Ski Town Breakdown.The event will take place on Warming House Hill at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort and will feature Colorado favorite Yonder Mountain String Band.
In conjunction with Ski Town Breakdown, Crested Butte Vacations is offering a variety of discounted lift, lodging and event ticket packages.Guests can stay right at the base of the ski area, just steps from the lifts and the show. For an extra special experience, a very limited amount of VIP packages will be available that include luxury lodging, an intimate acoustic performance at Uley’s Cabin with a yet-to-be-named performer, lift tickets and special VIP access for Yonder.Full details will be announced soon. For full travel packages call Crested Butte Vacations at 800.810.7669 or visit www.SkiCB.com.
Crested Butte
ECHO MOUNTAIN
Echo Mountain’s Liptricks Not Lipstick will take place at the resort on Saturday, March 20.Echo invites all skiers and snowboarders to come celebrate Echo’s 4th birthday and show their skills in The Junkyard on features including the Burton Stairset and the Monster Launch Box.Registration is $8 online, and $12 the day of the event. For more information or to register, visit www.EchoMtn.com/lodging.
2008-09 Lip Tricks Not Lipstick from Echo Mountain on Vimeo.
A new, multi-week instruction program for kids is available in March through the Echo Mountain Ski and Ride School. Echo’s weekend Mountaineers program is designed for skiers and riders age 6-14 ready to carve turns on groomed slopes, explore gladed tree terrain, or test their skills on the mountain’s design features. Three-hour sessions on consecutive Saturdays running March 6, 13 and 20 cost $225 for Echo season pass holders or $270 with a three-day lift ticket. A three-day equipment rental package can be added for $60. Space is filling quickly, and reservations are strongly recommended. Information and reservations can be handled at www.echomt.com or by calling 303-325-7347, ext. 4.
Echo Mountain
ELDORA
Don’t break the bank in Boulder. Set out to Eldora Mountain Resort, located just 30 minutes from Boulder, and find lodging with lift tickets, starting at just $64.50 per person for a one-night stay. The Boulder Ski Escape Package is the perfect way to enjoy the slopes and a stay at one of nearly 30 lodging options in the Boulder are at one affordable price. Hip cats will also want to check out Eldora’s Retro Ski Day on March 20, 2010, a day of retro far-out fun, costumes, skiing and dancing to groovy tunes. For Retro Day details, please check www.Eldora.com and for Boulder Ski Escape details and pricing, visit www.BoulderSkiEscape.com.
LOVELAND SKI AREA
Loveland Ski Area will put on a Tall T’s n’ Tacos, terrain park competition on March 20 and May 1. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities are invited to compete for the chance to win a portion of the $10,000 in prizes with lunch to be provided by Wahoo’s Fish Tacos.
In partnership with local lodging properties, Loveland is offering various ski and stay packages starting at $119 per night for two people. Packages include lodging and two lift tickets. For event and package details, please visit www.SkiLoveland.com.
Loveland
MONARCH
On March 7, Monarch Mountain is proud to have Smith Optics once again sponsoring the Monarch Freeride Series, Big Air. The series features three disciplines over the course of the season with skiers and riders competing for more than $5,000 in cash and prizes.The Big Air features three different sizes of tabletops. Spectators can view the event from the sunny deck of the base area lodge. For more information and registration, visit www.SkiMonarch.com or call 888-996-7669 x-5050.
POWDERHORN
A must-see event at Powderhorn this spring is The Great Mascot Race and Guest Appreciation Day. Taking place on March 20, the resort will offer deals on tickets, food, lessons, plus live music to complement the 2nd Annual Great Mascot Race.
When guests choose to stay any night at the on-mountain Inn at Wildewood, they can show a season pass from another resort and receive a free lift ticket. Rooms start at $119 per night. For lodging and event details, please call 970-268-5170 or visit www.Powderhorn.com.
PURGATORY at DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT
With abundant snowfall this season, Purgatory is offering a lodging and lift ticket deal at the Lodge at Tamarron this March. Rooms are available for $69 per person, per night, including lift tickets. Some restrictions apply. To find out more information or to book a reservation, please call (800) 525-0892 or visit www.DurangoMountainResort.com.
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
STEAMBOAT
This spring, the Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concert Series returns to Steamboat for the seventh season. The event offers a great mixture of various musical genres. In the past, the Rocks the ‘Boat series has brought together everything from bluegrass and New Orleans style rhythm and blues to a traditional Irish sound.Bands play for two uninterrupted hours right at the base of the ski area where non-skiing/riding music enthusiasts of all ages are able to enjoy the spring aprs-scene too.For a list of concerts and more information, please visit www.Steamboat.com.
SUNLIGHT
Sunlight will be hosting “Spring Thing” on March 20 and 21. Spring Thing has events for everyone of all ages including a bump skiing contest down Showdown and a Poker Run to raise money for C.A.R.E. animal shelter.
In partnership with Crystal River Spas, Sunlight also provides an opportunity for an aprs ski soak. Hot tubs are situated at the base of the mountain for anyone to enjoy. However there is a rail set up over one of the hot tubs, on which professional snowboarders do tricks.
This spring, Sunlight Mountain Resort offers a Ski, Swim, Stay package and free skiing for kids under 12. The package includes a lift ticket to Sunlight, a swim pass to the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool and a variety of hotel deals. For more information on Spring Thing or Ski, Swim, Stay visit www.SunlightMtn.com.
TELLURIDE
The highest wine bar in ski country, Alpino Vino sits at 11,966 feet above sea level and provides awe-inspiring views as far away as Utah. This European style htte near the top of Gold Hill opened to rave reviews in early 2009, with renowned wines, fine cheeses and outstanding appetizer plates. Alpino Vinos spectacular views, coupled with comfortable cozy ambience and wood-burning fireplace provides a perfect retreat from the slopes. The Global wine list offers several flights and more than 20 wines by the glass. Telluride invites spring guests to ski in the beautiful San Juans and take in Italian trattoria style lunches on the deck of Alpino Vino.
Alpino Vino 2010 from BlackByrd on Vimeo.
Telluride has also added major deals to their spring lodging lineup. Telluride Resort Lodging is offering Stay and Ski for Free deals this spring. Guests can book five nights of lodging with Telluride Resort Lodging from March 1 through April 4 and receive an additional two nights of lodging and the 6th day of skiing for free. For reservations or more information, call 877-247-6688 or visit www.TellurideSkiResort.com.
WINTER PARK
Winter Park Resort and Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships have partnered for the next two years to bring NASTAR participants a top-notch event. The world’s largest recreational ski and snowboard race program is at Winter Park Resort March 25-28 for the Nature Valley NASTAR Nationals. Racers qualify for the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships by earning a top-three ranking in their age division at any of the 120+ Nature Valley NASTAR ski resorts throughout North America. The overall men and woman winners will win a trip to Chile to train with the US Ski Team. The event will encompass three days of racing, US Ski Team alumni, concerts, food, and more.
For spring deals at Winter Park, adults and kids can ski or ride for $49 per day with a three-night resort stay. Through their new Everyone’s a Kid package, the resort is offering adult lift tickets at kid’s prices when purchased with three nights of resort lodging. Available now through March 31, adult and kid’s lift tickets are $49 per day with a three-night stay at Fraser Crossing, Founders Pointe, the Vintage Hotel, Winter Park Mountain Lodge or Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Rates and room configurations vary. Details can be found at www.WinterParkResort.com.
Winter Park
WOLF CREEK
Wolf Creek Ski Area will host College Day and a Telemark Clinic on March 28. For College Day, when students show a valid college photo ID, they can receive a lift ticket for the discounted rate of $31. Also on March 28, guests are invited to participate in Wolf Creek’s Telemark Clinic. Visitors will receive a two-hour lesson and lift ticket for the discounted rate of $58. Details can be found at www.WolfCreekSki.com.
