T-shirt skiing weather is around the corner.
Spring is an awesome time to hit the slopes—the air is warmer, the days are longer, and the travel costs, often, are cheaper. Although there are plenty of places in the country where you can find decent spring skiing, some of the nation’s premier resorts are open well into April—and beyond. Here are a handful of late-season ski destinations to visit this spring.
Located near both Breckenridge and Keystone Resorts, north-facing Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is open late in the spring, thanks to its steep slopes and high elevation. In fact, among Colorado resorts, Arapahoe Basin is usually on of the last to close. There are plenty of options for food and drink right on the slopes. Hit up Marnie’s for Bloody Marys. Then kick off your après at 6th Alley Bar and Grill. Finish up at Aprés Handcrafted Libations in the town of Breckenridge. Take advantage of late-season discounts for lodging at Keystone or at Breckenridge Resort.
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Mammoth Mountain is an almost-sure bet for late season snow: In usually remains open into June, and, in some years, is even skiable in July, thanks largely to its average annual snowfall of 400 inches. Mammoth boasts more than 3,500 skiable acres and a total vertical rise of 3,100 feet. You can stay close to the action, near the 150 named trails, at the Mammoth Mountain Inn. If you’re skiing on a budget, you can find more affordable lodging, like the Holiday Haus in the nearby village. Either way Lakanuki is the place to go for some aloha and strong tiki drinks with your aprés.
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The Alyeska Resort, in the Chugach Mountains near Girdwood, Alaska, is the biggest state’s largest ski resort. Its slopes also happen to remain open through April. Alyeska boasts 72 trails and 2,500 vertical feet over more than 1,600 skiable acres that are blessed with more than 600 inches of annual snowfall. The resort offers several lodging and dining options. After a day of shredding, hit the Sitzmark Bar & Grill for a little bit of aprés action. There, you’ll find a full menu of awesome food and plenty of libations to warm yourself up after a long day on the slopes. The Sitz maintains a full schedule of live music, events, and other entertainment during the season to help ensure as much fun off the slopes as on them. If you want to venture a little farther afield, check out Girdwood Brewing Company, just minutes from Alyeska in the ski village of Girdwood.
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Snowbird is located in the Wasatch Mountain Range, just to the east of Salt Lake City, Utah. Famous for its steep, north-facing slopes, Snowbird boasts a deep snowpack well into spring—thanks to more than 300 annual inches of snow—that allows for plenty of late-season action on the slopes. Stay at Cliff Lodge, where you’ll be close to the slopes, as well as food and drink from the Aerie’s amazing views. Renowned for its après scene, the Sitzmark Club (yes, another Sitzmark), at nearby Alta Lodge has been helping skiers recover from a day on the slopes for more than 80 years.
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Big Sky is the largest ski resort in Montana and one of the biggest in the United States. With nearly 6,000 skiable acres and more than 4,300 feet of vertical, Lone Peak at 11,166 feet above sea level (including tram-accessible), Big Sky will keep you ripping deep into April. A wide array of lodging options, including Huntley Lodge, Shoshone, Village Center, Snowcrest, Summit, and the Whitewater Inn, are available at the resort. Hit Scissorbills Saloon for the best après at the resort. If you’d like a little more perspective, head over to the Saloon at Horn & Cantle, on the nearby Lone Mountain Ranch. You can enjoy a good drink, a roaring fire, and panoramic views of the mountain you just skied.
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