With Lifts Spinning Into May or Beyond at These 10 Resorts, You Can Keep Your Bike in the Garage A Bit Longer
Ski season isn't over quite yet at these U.S. ski areas thanks to high elevations and good spring snowfall.
We made it to the final chapter of the pandemic 2020-’21 ski season with minimal resort closures (at least here in the U.S.). There was griping about reservations, mask-wearing, long lift lines, and the loss of après gatherings. But there was also a rekindling of appreciation for the basics—lunch in the car, turns with loved ones, and skiing for skiing’s sake. Well done, ski family.
The good news is that it’s not over quite yet. While the lifts at most U.S. ski resorts crawl to a stop in April, there are a healthy handful that grind it out into June thanks to high elevations and healthy late-season snowfalls—some with exclusive spring passes that sweeten the deal. Store the golf clubs a bit longer and wring out another ski day or two at these resorts that shred into (almost) summer.
Arapahoe Basin, Colo.
- Estimated Closing: Early June
- 2019: June 2 (all resorts closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic)
- 2018: June 3
While A-Basin competes with nearby Loveland for opening day bragging rights, it always wins the title for closing day, staying open as late as mid-June over the last five seasons. Generous March snowfall has the ski area on track for an early June closing day, albeit without the pandemic-restricted ski beach festivities. What’s more, our friends at Open Snow are predicting snowfall in the double digits for Colorado’s Rocky Mountains next week. FYI, season passes, which will be sold in even more limited numbers than the current season, are on sale now, with prices going up on April 16.
Mammoth Mountain, Calif.
- Estimated Closing: May 31
- 2019: July 7
- 2018: June 17
Mammoth has one of the longest seasons of any of the California resorts, and it announced late last month that it intends to stay open until at least Memorial Day. With a 10-foot base at the summit, that seems pretty likely. Quick reminder to Ikon Pass skiers who deferred this season’s pass to next: You can use it starting April 12 at Mammoth.
Read More: Start Skiing on Next Year’s Ikon Pass Now
Squaw Alpine, Calif.
- Estimated Closing: May 31
- 2019: July 7
- 2018: May 28
While snow totals are lower than past years at Squaw Alpine this season, the upper mountain terrain should stay in good shape to make it to Memorial Day weekend. March, usually a prolific month for the resort, only brought in 62 inches—30 or so less than average. But one thing remains certain here at Squaw: You can’t beat spring corn with a lake view.
Breckenridge, Colo.
- Estimated Closing: May 31
- 2019: May 27
- 2018: April 22
While all of Vail Resorts’ Front Range ski areas extended their seasons by at least a week, Breckenridge, which always stays open the latest of the bunch, is sticking with its plan to hold out until Memorial Day. Conditions are warming, but the March storms did much to fatten the base, and new snow is on the way next next week. Lock in your Epic Pass now at a 20 percent discount before rates start to increase.
Snowbird, Utah
- Estimated Closing: May 31
- 2019: July 4
- 2018: May 13
Typically Utah’s last resort standing, this spring looks to be no different. Snowbird might not be offering the same spring festivities, but its elevation and strong spring snow should keep lifts turning through most of May. With an 88-inch base and 10 inches of fresh this week, the resort is sitting pretty. The ski area will move to weekend only ops starting in mid-May, as terrain is largely dependent on snowfall and conditions.
Mt. Bachelor, Ore.
- Estimated Closing: May 30
- 2019: May 26
- 2018: May 28
With a 98-inch base and 367 inches on the season, Bachelor is on track for a great spring-skiing season. If you don’t have an Ikon Pass and don’t want to buy one, Bachelor offers a spring pass that’s good from March 27 through the end of the season, slated for Memorial Day weekend. Even though over half of the terrain will be closed by the end of April, that still leaves an impressive 2,000 skiable spring acres.
Loveland Ski Area, Colo.
- Estimated Closing: May 9
- 2019: May 5
- 2018: May 6
A 54-inch base at mid-mountain is holding steady at Loveland, which received 234 inches of snow this season with more in the forecast. A few lifts have started to wind down, but over 1,600 acres are still open for spring skiing. The ski area’s 2021-’22 season passes just went on sale, and they do provide access to the mountain for the remainder of this season—a good option for Front Range skiers who want to get in some economical spring turns.
Winter Park, Colo.
- Estimated Closing: May 9
- 2019: May 12
- 2018: May 6
February and March were kind to Winter Park, enough so that the resort has extended its season two weeks to May 9. Thanks to March’s 79 inches alone, the Mary Jane side of the resort will remain open, providing access to most of its 1,766-foot vertical drop. Bonus: Reservations are no longer required, so spur-of-the-moment spring corn is within reach over the next two months.
Killington, Vt.
- Estimated Closing: May 2
- 2019: June 2
- 2018: May 26
Sitting at a few inches shy of 200 on the season, Killington has shifted into spring operations in earnest, closing down several lower mountain lifts and lodges. But there’s still plenty of higher-elevation skiing to be had, with certain lifts, such as the Snowshed Express, opening back up as conditions warrant. What’s more, Killington’s Woodward Mountain Park—the only one in the East—keeps several of its terrain parks open through the spring.
Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore.
- Estimated Closing: May 1
- 2019: May 2
- 2018: May 12
Consistent spring storms throughout March have ensured sweet spring conditions at Mt. Hood Meadows, pushing the resort past its average annual snowfall total. As of late March, the mid-mountain base was reported at 217 inches, and over 430 inches of snow has fallen throughout the season so far. If past years are any indication, getting to early May shouldn’t be a problem.