Spring Loaded Calendars With an annual snowfall average in the neighborhood of 300 inches, high elevations and dry air, Colorado is able to offer one of the longest ski seasons in the United States. A long ski season gives resorts the opportunity to offer robust spring calendars filled with holiday celebrations, concerts, and contests. (photo by Dustin Schafer at Loveland Resort)
This spring is no exception, as resorts invite guests to take advantage of late-season snow conditions by offering scores of on-snow and slope-side activities. Below is a collection of spring events happening at Colorado Ski Country USA member resorts and season closing dates.
April1
Her-Day Thursday at Echo Mountain
Presented by 720 Boardshop, participants receive coaching from Echo Mountain and 720 Boardshop female team skiers and riders, as well as drink specials all night long. Details can be found at www.EchoMtn.com.
April 2
Friday Night Throwdown at Echo Mountain
Ski and ride with the Echo Team and friends while competing for nightly spot prizes from the resorts sponsors. More information can be found at www.EchoMtn.com.
Welcoming Hometown Olympic Heroes at Steamboat
Join in this community celebration of Olympic proportions, welcoming home the 2010 US Nordic Combined Team. Festivities include a parade with the worlds only skiing band and a special meet & greet with the Olympic athletes. All celebration details can be found at www.Steamboat.com.
Bud Light Big Air Fridays at Aspen/Snowmass
For the 7th year in a row, Snowmass is hosting this popular eight-week spring event series. Skiers and riders perform tricks for a chance at a prize purse and series points. Please check www.AspenSnowmass.com for details.
CoverGirl Snow Angels Invitational at Aspen/Snowmass
Snowboarding’s top women athletes will gather in Snowmass for the third CoverGirl Snow Angles event that features a Superpipe contest, photo and filming opportunities as well as lifestyle activities for the riders such as a spa day, yoga classes and a girls night out on the town. Please check www.AspenSnowmass.com for details.
USASA Nationals 2010 at Copper
This spring, Copper Mountain is the host venue for the largest amateur snowboarding and freeski event on earth – the 2010 USA Snowboard Association (USASA) Nationals. Athletes will compete against some of the best male and female athletes from around the country in slopestyle, superpipe, boardercross, slalom and giant slalom in their quest to become national champions. Event information can be found at www.CopperColorado.com.
April 3
Brew Fest at Eldora Mountain Resort
Eldora Mountain Resort invites guests to participate in Brew Fest, featuring a collection of local breweries. Highlights of breweries include Left Hand, New Belgium, Odell, Upslope, Oscar Blues, Great Divide, Boulder Beer and Avery breweries. Brew Fest activities include live music by Smooth Money Gesture, BBQ and more. Brew Fest details are posted at www.Eldora.com.
New Belgium Brewery Scavenger Hunt at Loveland
Guests are invited to don their best costume, chase chickens, search for bigfoot and answer riddles all while skiing, raising money for a great local non-profit, and having fun. For more information please visit www.SkiLoveland.com.
5th Annual Kayaks on Snow at Monarch Mountain
Kayaks on snow is Monarch’s signature event where contestants race head to head down a specially designed course featuring berms, banks, and bumps, ending in an icy pond. Please visit www.SkiMonarch.com for more information.
College Day at Wolf Creek
The last in the season series of College Days, students can purchase a $31 lift ticket with a valid college photo ID. For more information please visit www.WolfCreekSki.com.
En Fuego USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain
Enjoy street entertainers, bonfires, fire performers, and a fireworks finale while celebrating the country’s best snowboard and free ski athletes during the USASA National Championships.More information can be found at www.CopperColorado.com.
19th Annual Tom’s Terrific Cross-Country Downhill at Winter Park
Participants use their snow sliding equipment of choice to complete the five-kilometer “mostly downhill” fun race to benefit junior skiers in the Competition Center. The course involves some uphill sections and follows mostly green terrain. Please visit www.WinterParkResort.com for more information.
Red Bull Butter Cup at Winter Park
This contest series showcases creativity in technical flatland trickery. The jam session format keeps the action flowing while riders battle in Pro and Am divisions for cash and fresh gear. Only trick sequences that include buttering will count. Details can be found at www.WinterParkResort.com.
Rail Rodeo & Bud Light Rocks the Boat Concert Series at Steamboat
Sponsored by Steamboat, Ellis Snowboards, Volkl, Marker, Akinz Boardwear, Urbane and RideSports, the Steamboat Rail Rodeo is a professional snowboard and ski event comprised of a rail jam/exhibition, live music from the Dirty Heads, and prize giveaways in during the 2010 Springalicious April event at the Steamboat Ski Resort.
The Bud Light Rocks the ‘Boat Free Music Series returns to Steamboat for the 11th season, offering a great mixture of various musical genres.Featuring music of all different types, bands play for two uninterrupted hours right at the base of the ski area where non-skiing/riding music enthusiasts and all ages are able to enjoy the spring aprs-scene too.Event and concert information can be found at www.Steamboat.com.
April 4
Easter Sunrise Service at Steamboat
Attendees can enjoy the view at a special Easter Sunrise Service to be held at the top of the Gondola at 6:45am on Easter Sunday. Service information can be found at www.Steamboat.com.
Easter Egg Hunt at Wolf Creek
The Easter Bunny visits Wolf Creek and leads the Easter Egg Hunt for children eight and under. Participants must have a valid lift ticket to participate. For more information, please visit www.WolfCreekSki.com.
Ski with the Easter Bunny at Telluride
In Telluride, guests can celebrate Easter with several Easter egg hunts as 2,000 candy and toy-filled eggs will be placed around the resort and Village. Guests will also have a chance to ski with Bunny on the holiday. Please check www.TellurideSkiResort.com for more information.
Sunday Beach and Egg Hunt at Arapahoe Basin
The Easter Bunny visits A-Basin for an Easter Egg Hunt on skis. Both skiing and non-skiing children can participate. Egg hunts take place on Molly Hogan for those who do not ski and on Wrangler for those who do ski. For more information, visit www.ArapahoeBasin.com.
Easter Egg Hunt at Copper Mountain
Skiers and riders can catch the Easter Bunny at Copper as he visits the Village, the East Village, the Tubing Hill, and takes a run in the half pipe. More information can be found at www.CopperColorado.com.
Wells Fargo Golden Bunny Classic Candy Hunt & Fun Race at Winter Park
Winter Park Willie and the Easter Bunny will deliver holiday fun with an on-mountain candy hunt and egg hunt followed by the “Bunny Race”, an Easter tradition for more than 30 years. Details can be found at www.WinterParkResort.com.
A.T.A.C. All Terrain, All Conditions Clinic at Loveland
Participants can fine tune their on-mountain skills and explore Loveland’s most challenging terrain with one of the resorts professional, experienced instructors. This program is designed for advanced to expert skiers. For more information, please visit www.SkiLoveland.com.
April 10
Rocky Mountain Freestyle & Spring Blast at Winter Park
A weekend of events kicks off Winter Park Resort’s Spring Blast, which includes live music, food and drink specials, and end-of-season sales. Presented by Snickers, weekend event details can be found at www.WinterParkResort.com
Saturday 2nd Annual Save Our Snow Celebration at Arapahoe Basin
Arapahoe Basin invites guests to participate in its 2nd Annual Save our Snow Celebration, an environmentally friendly fundraiser for High Country Conservation Center. Educational events will focus on composting, kids activities, a Zuma Green Tour, and a raffle. Details on the days events are available at www.ArapahoeBasin.com.
Sunsation at Copper Mountain
Sunsation, Copper’s end-of-season bash, returns for its 8th year this spring. Spring revelers can enjoy sun, snow and free live music. More information can be found at www.CopperColorado.com.
Stars Springalicious Snowshoe Roundup & 30th Annual Smartwood Cardboard Classic at Steamboat
The 30th Cardboard Classic returns as Steamboats traditional rite of spring. The Classic features homemade cardboard crafts racing down the Stampede run, to a hysterical finish.
Larry Pierce
This spring-time fundraising event for STARS (Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports), gives participants the opportunity to snowshoe race a long-distance or short-sprint course. Awards are given for top men and women finishers, as well as for the best crazy spring STARS Snowshoe Round Up costume. Full event details can be found at www.Steamboat.com.
April 11
4th Annual Parking Lot Cook-Off & Tailgate Party at Monarch
Celebrate the end of ski season and beginning of whitewater season with Monarchs annual parking lot cook-off and tailgate party. Guests are encouraged to whip up their best eats, competing for next year’s season pass among other goodies. Please visit www.SkiMonarch.com for more information.
April 14
21st Annual Enduro at Arapahoe Basin
The Enduro race is where skiers and riders take laps on the Pali chair from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. without stopping, in an effort to break the record of Seventy-one runs. All proceeds from the event benefit a local charity. Details on the days events are available at www.ArapahoeBasin.com.
April 16
Red Bull 1976 Games at Copper Mountain
This event is played off of the 1976 Olympic Winter Games known as the 1976 Games” that were awarded to Colorado after the state bid to host. Voters in Colorado later voted against hosting the games, so the event never took place. Copper makes up for the games that never were with a fun throwback competition. Events include Snowbladecross and Old School Air. More information can be found at www.CopperColorado.com.
April 17
The Loveland Poker Run Autism Society Benefit & Annual Loveland Derby
This event combines a day of skiing with an on-hill game of poker. All of the proceeds go to the Autism Society of Colorado.Players ski around the mountain, visiting different dealers to pick up their hand and turn it in at the end of the day.There are prizes for the winners and it is all for a great cause. For more information, please visit www.SkiLoveland.com.
Spring Blast at Winter Park
Winter Parks Spring Blast continues for another weekend and includes live music, food and drink specials, and end-of-season sales. Presented by Snickers, weekend event details can be found at
www.WinterParkResort.com
Sunsation at Copper Mountain
The Sunsation weekend series continues as Copper’s end-of-season bash returns for its 8th year. Spring revelers can enjoy sun, snow and free live music. More information can be found at www.CopperColorado.com.
April 18
Coca-Cola Spring Splash at Winter Park
Winter Park Resort’s Coca-ColaSpring Splash is the oldest tradition of its kind, on its 42nd year.Spectators watch skiers and riders struggle through obstacles on the Larry Sale trail race course and attempt to skim across an icy pond to reach the finish line and post a time. Live musicsets the tone for a closing day party that is fun for everyone. Details can be found at www.WinterParkResort.com.
April 21
KSMT’s Locals Day at Arapahoe Basin
In partnership with Summit County local radio station KSMT The Mountain, A-Basin will throw a huge party to celebrate skiers, riders and the season. Details on the days events are available at www.ArapahoeBasin.com.
April 24
Last Park Standing at Echo
Echo’s premier event of the season, Last Park Standing showcases the resorts biggest course build of the year and features prizes and DJs spinning on the Plaza. Presented by Verizon Wireless, more information can be found at www.EchoMtn.com.
Corn Harvest Benefit Ski Party at Loveland
Loveland Ski Area hosts the 8th annual Corn Harvest benefit ski party for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Guests are invited to enjoy food, New Belgium Beer, raffles, and a fun day of skiing all for a good cause. For more information, please visit www.SkiLoveland.com.
8th Annual Marmot Grind at Arapahoe Basin
The Marmot Grind isan uphill, downhill adventure race designed to introduce new participants to backcountry skiing as well as challenge veteran skiers. Races are modeled after European randonee events with competitors beginning on foot and running to clip into their skis. There are different race categories, prizes and an aprs ski party. Details on the days events are available at www.ArapahoeBasin.com.
Casey Day
Resort 2009/10 Season Closing Dates:
A-Basin: June 2010
Aspen Highlands: April 4
Aspen Mountain: April 11, Reopening Weekends of April 17-18, 24-25
Buttermilk: April 4
Copper Mountain: April 18
Crested Butte: April 4
Durango: March 28, Reopening April 2 for Friday through Sunday Operations in April
Echo Mountain: May 2
Eldora: Apr 11
Loveland: May 2
Monarch: Apr 11
Silverton: April 18
Ski Cooper: April 4
Snowmass: Apr 11
Steamboat: Apr 11
Sunlight: April 4
Telluride: April 4
Winter Park: April 18
Wolf Creek: April 4, Reopening Following 2 weekends, April10-11, 17-18
