Did you know that Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) has one of the longest ski seasons in the country? Our resorts have peaks at lofty elevations, an average snowfall of more than 300 inches and the dry air that keeps it around longer than most other places. Colorados ski season typically stretches well into May providing skiers and riders with sunny skies and mild temperatures. This year, spring skiing will be particularly enjoyable, as many ski areas approach near record snowfall amounts. To entice skiers to take advantage of terrific late-season snow conditions, resorts have packed their calendars with celebrations, concerts and competitions. Below is a collection of late spring events happening at Colorado Ski Country USA member resorts, and resort closing dates.
March 31-April 3
US Alpine Championships at Winter Park
Winter Park will host the US Ski Team in a competition with FIS (International Ski Federation) and Canadian skiers in the 2011 Alpine Championships. More information on event dates and times is available at www.winterparkresort.com.
April 1
Ski Meister Competition at Crested Butte
To celebrate 50 years of skiing in the Gunnison Valley, Crested Butte is recreating some classic events including Pond Skimming, the Winter Chainless Bike Race, and the Bump and Jump. The Ski Meister Competition will also include friendly costumed competition, music from Spring Creek Blue Grass, and on-mountain drinks at The Ice Bar. Please visit www.skicb.com for more event details and mountain information.
April 1
KOTO Street Dance Celebration at Telluride
Enjoy a free concert on Main Street in Telluride with beer, a costume contest, and street dancing, sponsored by KOTO radio. Visit www.tellurideskiresort.com for more details.
April 2
USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain will host the 2011 USASA Nationals, where events include slopestyle, superpipe, bordercross, slalom, and giant slalom. This year, the competition will also separate the skiers and snowboarders, creating separate events for each category. For more information on the USASA Nationals competition, visit www.usasa.org and www.coppercolorado.com.
April 2
Season Ending Splash at SolVista Basin
SolVista Basin will host a pond skim competition to celebrate the end of the 2010-11 season. For more information, please see www.granbyranch.com.
April 3
Red Bull Butter Cup at Buttermilk
The Red Bull Butter Cup at Buttermilk is a snowboarding event showcasing the style and creativity of riders of all levels as they bump and ride across the custom Red Bull butter pads. Professional and Amateur categories will compete for cash and gear prizes. The first 50 riders to enter will receive a Butter Cup Neff hat and some Butter Cup Magical GoGo Wax. For details, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
April 3
Pond Skim Powderhorn
Powderhorns end-of-the-season party at Majestic Lake features a pond-skim for skiers and riders as well as BBQ, beverages and live music by the Goodman Duo. More details are available at www.powderhorn.com.
April 3
Closing Day Festivities at Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
Closing day festivities at Purgatory will include live music from Ralph Dinosaur, snow sculptures, a bungee trampoline and carnival for the kids, a mountain bike slalom race, and much more. Arrive in costume and be entered to win one of many exciting prizes. Visit www.durangomountainresort.com for more information.
April 3
Closing Day Celebration at Sunlight
Sunlights Closing Day Celebration offers skiers and riders one more chance to get in some turns and enjoy a cold drink on the deck. For more information, please visit www.sunlightmtn.com.
April 9
Brew Fest at Eldora
Join a collection of local breweries at Eldora on the West Wing Deck for a springtime beer fest. Featured breweries include Left Hand, New Belgium, Odell, Upslope, Oscar Blues, Twisted Pine, Boulder Beer, and Avery Breweries. Festivities include live music, BBQ, and more, all for a $10 entry fee. All proceeds from the event benefit the Nederland Historical Society. Information can be found at www.eldora.com.
April 9
31st Annual Cardboard Classic at Steamboat
The Cardboard Classic, Steamboats traditional rite of spring, features homemade crafts constructed only from cardboard, glue, string, water-based paint, duct tape and masking tape racing down the face of Headwall to a comical finish. For more information, please visit www.steamboat.com.
April 10
Schneetag at Aspen/Snowmass
The 4th annual Schneetag event (pronounced Sch-knee Tog) invites teams of four to build a craft that they will pilot down a slope by Bonnies restaurant on Aspen Mountain and attempt to float across a 75×20 foot pond. To make the event even more entertaining, every team has a theme and will perform a skit before they descend. Last year prizes included a trip to the ESPN X Summer Games in Los Angeles, tickets to a professional sporting event in Denver and skis and snowboards. More information on the event as well as details on this years prizes are available at www.aspensnowmass.com.
April 10
Closing Day Cook-off at Monarch
Monarch will be hosting their Closing-Day Cook-off in the Lot; a tailgate party that pitches professional and amateur chefs against each other competing for prizes that include 2011-12 Monarch Season passes. Teams compete for best food and best dcor. Cook-off details can be found at www.skimonarch.com.
April 10
Local Appreciation/Closing Day at Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek is offering discounted lift tickets for children, adults, and seniors to celebrate the last ski day of the season. More information is available at www.wolfcreekski.com.
April 23
Tall Ts n Tacos at Loveland
Loveland invites skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities to participate in this slopestyle competition. The $20 registration fee includes a tall-tee and lunch from Wahoos Fish Tacos. Coupons for half price registration and a discounted lift ticket are available at all Colorado Wahoo’s Fish Taco locations. More information is available at www.skiloveland.com.
April 30
9th Annual Marmot Grind at Arapahoe Basin
The Marmot Grind is an uphill, downhill adventure race designed to introduce new participants to backcountry skiing as well as challenge the veteran skier. Races are modeled after European randonee events with competitors beginning on foot and running to clip into their skis. Athletes skin uphill on a challenging course and race down to the finish. To find more details, visit www.arapahoebasin.com.
April 30/May 1
May Meltdown and Pond Skim at Echo Mountain
Echo Mountains final celebration of the season will include a Last Park Standing competition on April 30 and May Meltdown Party and Pond Skim on May 1. For more information, please visit www.echomtnpark.com.
Closing Dates
Below is a list of the closing dates for each of CSCUSAs member resorts.
Arapahoe Basin Early June
Aspen Highlands April 24
Aspen Mountain April 10
Buttermilk April 3
Copper Mountain April 24
Crested Butte April 3
Echo May 1
Eldora April 17
Howelsen March 27
Loveland May
Monarch April 10
Powderhorn April 3
Purgatory April 3
Silverton April 17
Ski Cooper April 3
Snowmass April 10
Sol Vista Basin April 3
Steamboat April 10
Sunlight April 4
Telluride April 3
Winter Park April 24
Wolf Creek April
