Skiers’ travel plans turn west when winter slowly morphs into spring across North America. While there’s spring skiing to be had in the East and Midwest, the mountain ranges of the Rockies and far west states are much higher, and therefore gather way more snowfall over the winter and even spring months. That makes for skiing and riding options well into late April and even into May at a limited number of resorts.
So we’ve picked some of the best ski resorts in the Rockies and beyond for spring skiing. For our broader list of the best resorts for spring skiing across North America, head to this article, which features several other ski resorts, including Arapahoe Basin, Alta, and Telluride. Scroll to the bottom to see our complete series of spring articles.
The Best Ski Resorts in the Rockies for Spring Skiing
Colorado
Breckenridge
Breckenridge has one of the longest ski seasons in Colorado, making it a fitting destination on our list of the best resorts in the Rockies for spring skiing. Its 2,908 acres of skiable terrain, base elevation at 9,600 feet, and 300-plus days of sunshine make it one of the headlining ski resorts in the Rockies for spring. Not to mention Breckenridge’s amazing aprés-ski scene. It was the 2022-23 OnTheSnow Visitors’ Choice Award winner for aprés-ski. Note that late spring at Breckenridge is for intermediate-and-above skiers and riders only. Check Breckenridge’s website regularly for the latest updates on spring skiing operations.
Winter Park
Many skiers may have seen the epic Winter Park Spring Bash and Splash events in Warren Miller movies. Now experience it firsthand over the course of four action-packed weekends in late March and April with live music, special events, and sunny skiing. Winter Park’s ski season often continues at least a couple weeks into May (and sometimes longer), which means it has one of the longest ski seasons in Colorado. Winter Park is just over an hour’s drive from Denver, making it an easy day trip, while there are plenty of lodging deals available in the spring.
» Check out lodging options at Winter Park.
Monarch Mountain
Monarch Mountain, located 20 miles from Salida atop Monarch Pass, is a great Colorado ski resort that isn’t on the radar of many skiers and riders. Trails face both north and south, so that once the morning sun hits them, the north slopes turn soft for you to carve up while the south-facing slopes bring that easy to ski corn snow. Although Monarch doesn’t have lodging like many of Colorado’s destination ski resorts, Salida is nearby with accommodations, restaurants, and more. Although there’s a ski bus that leaves from Salida Hot Springs, Monarch is one ski area where a car is necessary. Monarch is about a three-hour drive from Denver.
» Check out lodging options at Monarch Mountain.
Vail
Everything and everybody seems to relax and unwind a bit at Vail, where you can experience one of the world’s most famous ski areas when it lets its snowy hair down in the spring. Vail has a low-key spring skiing vibe, where you’ll be able to ski or ride as long as you wish before enjoying the upscale shopping and après-ski fun in its village. Vail typically stays open for skiing and riding until about the third week of April. A fun time to visit in the spring is during the annual Taste of Vail event, which we named one of the best spring events in North America. Tickets prices vary, and tickets sell out quick, so register for events early.
» Check out lodging options at Vail.
Ski Cooper
Colorado is loaded with major ski destinations, but there are some, like Cooper, which are a bit more off the beaten path. Cooper is located high atop Tennessee Pass and about a 10-minute drive from the old mining town of Leadville on U.S. 24. Beginners looking to get a head start on the next season should consider a spring getaway to Cooper as the soft snow by mid-morning is ideal for learning. Plus, the beginner terrain here is superb. Nearby lodging is available in Leadville, which makes for a very affordable ski trip for families, couples, and solo travelers. Cooper typically closes around early- to mid-April.
» Check out lodging options at Ski Cooper.
Utah
Snowbasin
Snowbasin, located 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City Airport and 10 minutes from Ogden, has plenty of spring skiing in 3 different parts of the mountain served by 2 gondolas and a new express lift. The not-so-well-kept secret here is enjoying outdoor après-ski on the gigantic patio on the backside of Earl’s Lodge. That’s worth the trip alone. Basin Days is a relatively new celebration in March over the past few years with a free ski party on weekends. Snowbasin typically closes around mid-April.
» Check out lodging options at Snowbasin.
Brighton
Our round-up of the best ski resorts in North America for spring skiing included the Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts of Alta and Snowbird. However, you really can’t go wrong with any of the ski resorts in the Cottonwoond Canyons. Brighton, located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, is no exception. Brighton’s season often goes into late April, and even went several weeks into May during the record-breaking 2022-23 ski season. The bonus of Brighton is night skiing and riding, which goes until late-March. That means 12 hours of skiing and riding late into the season.
Solitude, which is Brighton’s neighboring Big Cottonwood Canyon resort, also enjoys a ski season that typically goes until mid- to late-April. During March, make a whole day of skiing in Big Cottonwood Canyon by skiing Solitude in the morning, and then enjoying night skiing at Brighton in the evening. Bonus: Both ski resorts are part of the Ikon Pass.
Idaho
Sun Valley
Sun Valley, America’s first destination ski resort, often gets overlooked, since it’s not near a major city like many other popular ski destinations. And that’s in part what makes it such a great place to visit, especially in spring, when you won’t find traffic, lift lines, or crowded slopes. What you will find, however, is soft snow, blue skies, long days, and some of the best views you’ll find at any ski resort in the spring. Ski or ride in the morning, and then strap on snowshoes to hit some trails in the afternoon. A can’t-miss spring lunch or aprés experience is dining at The Roundhouse, perched at 7,700 feet at Sun Valley Resort. Spring brings with it some great events to Sun Valley, including the U.S. Alpine National Championships, the Sun Valley Film Festival, and year-end bashes.
Montana
Big Sky
Spring is considered Big Sky’s secret season, featuring wide-open terrain, the occasional powder day, warm and sunny aprés sessions, and smaller crowds. Like many ski resorts, March and April are also a couple of the best months at Big Sky for deals on lift tickets and lodging. Big Sky turns things up in late March and early April for its Spring Series, featuring djs, drink specials, and an all-out aprés-ski party. The Spring Series runs over the last few weekends (Thursday-Sunday) of the year at Mountain Village and Everett’s 8800. Big Sky closes for the season toward the end of April.
» Check out lodging options at Big Sky.
New Mexico
Ski Santa Fe
Head 16 miles up the hill from the historic New Mexico town of Santa Fe and catch the spring snow as it warms and softens at Ski Santa Fe. With a base elevation of 10,350 feet, Ski Santa Fe boasts a spring skiing season with lots of snow. March brings live music at Totemoff’s Deck. Later in the afternoon stroll around the historic plaza lined with upscale shops and plenty of restaurants for all budgets. Ski Santa Fe typically closes for the season in early April.
» Check out lodging options at Ski Santa Fe.
Wyoming
Grand Targhee
Grand Targhee on average receives several hundred inches of snow each winter, giving it a nice snowpack come springtime. Located on the Wyoming-Idaho border, about 48 miles from Jackson Hole, it always has a chill vibe and uncrowded slopes, and that couldn’t be truer during the spring months. You may even enjoy a sneaker powder day. Locals and visitors alike look forward to a closing day pond skim. Grand Targhee typically closes by mid-April.
» Check out lodging options at Grand Targhee.
Jackson Hole
Spring at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is known as the “Best Spring Break Ever.” Spring brings some of the resort’s best festivals, deals on skiing and lodging, great snow, short lift lines, uncrowded slopes, and a fun aprés scene that OnTheSnow users have rated as the best in Wyoming. The last few weeks of the season sees Jackson Hole’s unique Golden Ticket promotion, in which skiers and riders with a valid winter resort season pass anywhere in the world can enjoy 50% off lift tickets. While there are many great spring events at Jackson Hole, the headliner is the Rendezvous Music Festival, a free two-day music festival that we named one of the best spring events in North America.
» Check out lodging options at Jackson Hole.
April 04, 2024
