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 peaks of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming and Idaho are much higher and therefore gather way more snowfall over the winter and even spring months. It means skiing and riding options well into late April and often into May at a limited number of resorts.
We’ve picked 10 ski resorts in the Rockies you might consider for getting in those spring skiing turns. For our broader list of the best resorts for spring skiing across North America, head to this article, which features several ski resorts in the Rockies, including Arapahoe Basin, Alta, and Telluride.
10 great ski resorts in the Rockies for spring skiing
Colorado:
Crested Butte
Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s abundant winter snowfall all but assures the whole wide mountain will be open during spring with a chance for occasional powder days, and easy-to-ski corn snow surfaces on other days. Groomers warm up as the morning rolls along, while the mountain also has a lot of north-facing terrain that offers a surface they call “edgeable chalk.” Closing date is early to mid-April, but you never know. You can even forget the car since shuttles run regularly from the town of Crested Butte. Plus, Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport is only 30 miles from the ski resort.
» Check out lodging options at Crested Butte.
Monarch Mountain
Monarch Mountain, located 20 miles from Salida atop Monarch Pass, is a great Colorado ski resort that’s off many skiers’ radars. Trails face both north and south, and once the morning sun hits them, the north runs turn soft for you to carve up while the south-facing slopes bring that easy to ski or ride corn snow. Although Monarch doesn’t have lodging like many of Colorado’s destination ski resorts, Salida is close and has everything you’ll need. While there’s a ski bus that leaves from Salida Hot Springs, Monarch is one ski area where a car is easiest.
» Check out lodging options at Monarch Mountain.
Winter Park
Many skiers may have seen the epic Winter Park Spring Bash and Splash in Warren Miller movies. Now experience it firsthand over the course of four action-packed weekends in April, when they’ll be lots of live music, special events and sunny skiing. Winter Park often closes shortly thereafter, but the plan for 2023 is for Mary Jane to remain open until May 11. Winter Park is just over an hour’s drive from Denver and there are plenty of lodging deals available in springtime.
» Check out lodging options at Winter Park.
Vail
Everything and everybody seems to relax and unwind a bit at Vail where you can experience one of the world’s most famous and popular ski areas when it lets its snowy hair down. Vail’s spring skiing vibe is low key and you’ll be able to ski or ride as long as you wish before experiencing the upscale shopping and après-ski fun in a more chill way than the bustle of mid-winter. Vail plans to remain open until late April, but check their website and social media channels as it gets closer. A fun time to visit this year will be April 8-12 during the annual Taste of Vail event. Tickets prices vary, and can go 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 individuals. Closing date is scheduled for 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. Closing date this year is estimated for late April.
» Check out lodging options at Snowbasin.
Idaho
Tamarack
Tamarack, with its 3,500 acres of terrain, is located 90 miles north of Boise in Tamarack, Idaho. It’s a favorite of Boise area skiers especially during March when the significant winter snowfall – it’s on a storm track in the West Central Mountains –softens into spring corn. Tamarack is known for its informal and decidedly friendly vibe. Check the schedule each week for “S’mores on the Snowfront” events. Tamarack’s season ends in late March.
» Check out lodging options at Tamarack.
Montana
Bridger Bowl
Bridger Bowl, located just outside of Bozeman, is a community-owned non-profit mountain that feels like a destination resort except without lodging (which is nearby in Bozeman). Spring snow is plentiful, as the resort is on the eastern side of the Continental Divide, producing a dry snow known as Cold Smoke. Events in spring are plentiful here with Ride and Seek, Slushy Slalom (one day each of fun races for skiers and snowboarders), the Molly Hayes Equinox Giant Slalom, and a Carve Out Hunger food drive. Closing date is typically in early April.
» Check out lodging options at Bridger Bowl.
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
When you hit a ski resort in late March and April that picks up more than 300 inches of snow during the winter, you’ve found sunny nirvana. Grand Targhee, on the Wyoming-Idaho border about 48 miles from Jackson Hole, always has a chill vibe, and springtime is no different. Locals and visitors always look forward to a closing day pond skim. Grand Targhee typically closes around mid-April.
» Check out lodging options at Grand Targhee.
October 03, 2023
