The Best Ski Resorts on the West Coast for Spring Skiing

Spring skiing means different things in different parts of North America. And on the West Coast, it can mean everything from skiing in shorts in California on corn snow to cool powder days in the Pacific Northwest. Many West Coast ski resorts see a long spring ski season that can last into May and beyond, especially during a good snow year. It all makes for one of the most fun times of the ski season. Below you’ll find some of the West Coast’s best ski resorts for spring skiing. For more ideas, head to our article here, which rounds up the best resorts in all of North America for spring skiing, including several West Coast ski areas.

Note: It’s been an unusually mild and dry ski season for most of the 2025-26 winter at ski resorts across the West, which may impact spring operations and closing dates. Use the snow reporting section of our website as a resource and double-check ski resort websites for the latest updates and operating schedule.

The Best Ski Resorts Out West For Spring Skiing

California

Snow Valley

If you’ve skied in Southern California, you may have driven right past Snow Valley Ski Area in Running Springs on your way to Big Bear. But don’t sleep on this humble Southern California ski area, which is particularly great in the spring and worth a day trip from L.A. Snow Valley typically has a closing date in the first half of April, which makes for plenty of spring skiing opportunities. It has terrain for all levels, but Snow Valley’s beginner slopes are ideal in spring to set you up for next season. Soak up the sun on the Mountain Top Terrace after a fun day of laps.

Snow Valley is conveniently on the Ikon Pass along with other Southern California favorites Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Summit. Make it a long weekend and ski all three Southern California ski resorts.

Check out Lodging options at Snow Valley

Mountain High

Mountain High is another Southern California ski resort to add to your spring skiing to-do list—especially since it’s only an hour and a half drive from L.A. While it has terrain for skiers and riders of all abilities, Mountain High attracts a youthful crowd and hosts many on-hill events that honor freestyle skiing and snowboarding. If you enjoy technical trails and a fun terrain park, it only takes four minutes to reach them on the Blue Ridge Express, located on the west side of the resort. Mountain High typically closes by mid-April.

Dodge Ridge

Dodge Ridge is located on the western side of the Sierra Nevada range and is among the closest resorts for many San Francisco Bay Area residents. Bonus: Driving to Dodge Ridge from the Bay Area doesn’t come with the traffic that skiers traveling to Lake Tahoe often experience. Spring here almost always lasts until mid-April, bringing bluebird days and uncrowded slopes. Dodge Ridge is well known as a family resort with plenty of good beginner and intermediate terrain.

Heavenly

Head to Lake Tahoe’s south shore in spring, to Heavenly, and enjoy one of the flagships of Vail Resorts’ West Coast collection of ski areas. Surfaces can be variable during the spring on all the mountains surrounding the lake, but they’re always fun to ski on. Some days will even bring the so called “Sierra Cement,” a heavy wet powder that can be hard to move through. After a thigh-burning day, enjoy the sun and cold brews at the Lakeview Lodge or grab a beer and brats at Stein’s Biergarten. Heavenly typically closes around mid- to late-April.

Check out Lodging options at Heavenly

Mt. Shasta Ski Park

Corn snow is plentiful at Mt. Shasta Ski Park, located way up north in California, on the flanks of Mount Shasta, which is California’s 14,179-foot stratovolcano in the Cascade Mountain Range. While it’s a longer drive for people in the Bay Area than Lake Tahoe is, it’s worth it for one of California’s most extraordinary ski experiences and a more laid-back vibe. Lodging is available at reasonable rates during the spring in the town of Mt. Shasta, just 11 miles away. It makes for a fun, unique getaway to an offbeat California ski destination.

Oregon

Timberline Lodge

Located 60 miles from Portland, Timberline is known for having the longest ski season in the North America. It often remains open for 10 months, typically closing in August and re-opening in the fall. Timberline’s winter season typically begins around Thanksgiving and continues through the end of May. Palmer, which is Timberline’s high-speed quad that operates only during the spring and summer, usually starts spinning by June 1 and continues through most of the summer, depending on conditions.

Timberline sits in the shadow of the summit of Mt. Hood, which at 11,249 feet tall is the tallest mountain in Oregon. Step back in time and spend a night or two at the historic Timberline Lodge, which you may recognize as the hotel’s exterior from The Shining.

Check out Lodging options at Timberline Lodge

Mt. Hood Meadows

Mt. Hood Meadows, the largest ski resort on Mt. Hood, often stays open through the end of April. Skiers typically have access during the spring to the Buttercup and beginner-friendly Buttercup Fun Zone, as well as Vista Express, Mt. Hood Express, and Cascade Express at an elevation of 7,300 feet. The Vista Park banked slalom course and halfpipes are typically groomed for spring riding. The Double Mountain Pond Skim closes out the spring ski season.

Mt. Bachelor

Typically open until late May, Mt. Bachelor is synonymous with spring skiing in Oregon. Not only does it boast one of the country’s longest seasons, but it’s also among the continent’s largest ski resorts, meaning there’s lots of terrain to enjoy through the later part of the season. Spring also brings some of the resort’s best events of the year, including Subaru Winterfest and RendezVan. When aprés-ski arrives, Mt. Bachelor has plenty of great patios to choose from, including the Clearing Rock Bar, at West Village Lodge, and the Sun Bar, overlooking the Woodward Learning Zone at Sunrise Lodge. After getting your fill of spring skiing, head into the town of Bend, which is dotted with great breweries, waterfront patios, and more.

Check out Lodging options at Mt. Bachelor

Washington

Crystal Mountain

Pacific Northwest ski resorts often enjoy April snowstorms, and Crystal Mountain is no exception. Powder day or not, Crystal Mountain makes for a fun day of spring skiing. Located just a couple hours from Seattle, the Washington ski resort is known for its incredible view of Mt. Rainier, which couldn’t be better on a bluebird day. Snowy spring seasons have seen Crystal Mountain stay open as late as June, although ski operations typically are winding down by mid-to-late April.

Check out Lodging options at Crystal Mountain

Mt. Baker

Located way up Washington, Mt. Baker is worth the trek, especially in spring. As one of the snowiest resorts in North America, Mt. Baker’s spring ski season often feels like mid-winter elsewhere. Whether you’re carving through corn snow or exploring the sidecountry that makes this mountain a snowboarding playground, you’ll find plenty to love, even in the spring. Cap off your day with local craft beers on the Heather Meadows sundeck.

Check out Lodging options at Mt. Baker

The Best Ski Resorts on the West Coast for Spring Skiing

The Best Ski Resorts Out West For Spring Skiing

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