In Colorado Ski Country USA, springtime is the right time. Longer daylight hours mean more slope-time, warmer temperatures mean more of those famous bluebird days, and thanks to location, location, location, March and April are typically the state’s snowiest months. With snowpack reaching its peak and spring storms delivering the goods well into May—and often beyond—Colorado is at its sun-drenched best when other winter playgrounds are winding down for the season.
More than a dozen resorts keep the lifts spinning into April, and when Mother Nature cooperates, some stretch their seasons even further. Loveland Ski Area, perched atop the Continental Divide, shoots for mid-May, while Arapahoe Basin and Winter Park go full send into late May and even June. Winter Park’s motto? “As Late As Possible” (ALAP).
There’s nothing quite like skiing Colorado Ski Country USA in the spring: bright sun and clear blue skies, crystal clear vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see, crisp mountain air, and—when the sun begins to sink in the West and the shadows grow long—the camaraderie and conviviality of après-ski. With fewer visitors, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy less crowded slopes, affordable lodging and ticket prices (barring the spring break rush), and most importantly of all, plenty of pristine powder.
Colorado Ski Country USA doesn’t just bid farewell to winter—it throws a full-blown fiesta. Aspen Snowmass goes all out with Buttermilk’s Bacon Appreciation Day (because everything is better with bacon) and the Elk Camp Surf & Snow Beach Party at Snowmass. Aspen Highlands turns up the energy with outrageous costume contests, while Aspen Mountain’s Sundeck party is a high-altitude bash where tropical vibes collide with alpine revelry. Over at Purgatory Resort, the Spring Fling Festival (March 17–April 13) wraps up with a legendary Pond Skim and Beach Party, complete with live music, contests, giveaways, and plenty of après-ski fun.
Late-season skiing means soft turns, sunshine for days, and wide-open runs with room to rip. Eldora is at its prime in March and April, with its deepest snowpack of the season, every trail open, and blissfully uncrowded slopes. And then there’s Arapahoe Basin, the reigning champion of the endless season, where the snow just keeps coming. Last year, A-Basin stayed open until June 16, proving once again why it’s the go-to spot for skiers and riders who like to keep the stoke alive. With spring storms delivering fresh powder dumps, the Basin is where the die-hards ride long after others call it quits.
Why head home early when you can ski into golden hour? Granby Ranch is making the most of spring with Spring Twilight Skiing, keeping lifts running until 5:30 p.m. from March 10–30. Plus, with a newly added train service, getting to this late-season paradise from Denver has never been easier.
Whether you’re chasing fresh tracks in the morning or basking in après-ski bliss under the sun, Colorado’s spring skiing scene is unbeatable. From rowdy closing parties to uncrowded, powder-filled slopes, there’s no better place to squeeze in those last glorious turns of the season.
