Skiers’ travel plans turn west when winter slowly morphs into spring across North America. While spring skiing opportunities abound across North America, the Intermountain West is about as good as it gets. Ski resorts out West see some of the highest snowfall totals in North America, making for a long spring ski season. It’s not unusual for some ski resorts, especially in the Rockies and Wasatch, to be open into May. 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. Scroll to the bottom to see our complete series of spring articles.
The Best Ski Resorts in the Rockies for Spring Skiing
Colorado
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
Arapahoe Basin, aka A-Basin, enjoys one of the longest ski seasons in North America, often opening by early November and not closing until June. A-Basin is Rocky Mountain high skiing at its best, with its top lifts reaching more than 13,000 feet. Additionally, you can hike up to some of the higher points before pointing downhill, as we discussed in our round-up of Colorado ski resorts with hike-to skiing terrain. It all makes for some of the best late-season skiing in Colorado. Bring some chairs and a cooler of snacks so that you can pull up a spot at the Beach, at the Early Riser parking lot, to soak up the sun and revel in a great day of spring skiing. Advance reservations are required.
» Check out spring lodging options at Arapahoe.
Breckenridge
Breckenridge, too, 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, a base elevation of 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. All five peaks are typically open for skiing until April, when the resort then moves to its late spring operation plans. 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.
» Check out lodging options at Breckenridge.
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 of weeks into May (and sometimes longer), which means it has one of the longest ski seasons in Colorado. The resort operates on a ‘As Late As Possible’ policy at the Mary Jane and Parsenn Bowl areas of the mountain, while the Winter Park side is anticipated to close in late April. Winter Park is just under a two hour 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. Monarch is about a three-hour drive from Denver and is one mountain where a car is recommended.
» Check out lodging options at Monarch Mountain.
Vail
Everything and everybody seems to relax and unwind a bit at Vail, and especially in the spring. Vail has a low-key spring skiing vibe, where you can 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. Ticket prices vary, and tickets sell out quickly, so register for events early.
» Check out lodging options at Vail.
Ski Cooper
Colorado is loaded with major ski destinations, but some, like Cooper, are more off the beaten path. Cooper is located high atop Tennessee Pass and about a 15-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 just over 20 minutes from Ogden, has plenty of spring skiing in 3 different parts of the mountain served by two gondolas and the new DeMoisy 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. Snowbasin typically closes around mid-April.
» Check out lodging options at Snowbasin.
Brighton
You really can’t go wrong with any of the ski resorts in the Cottonwood 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.
» Check out lodging options at Brighton and Solitude.
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 of 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, like the Stifel Sun Valley Finals and year-end bashes.
» Check out lodging options at Sun Valley.
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 some of Big Sky’s best months 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.
Arizona
Arizona Snowbowl
A springtime visit to Flagstaff means good conditions at Arizona Snowbowl, conveniently located just 30 minutes from the city. Arizona Snowbowl is high in the San Francisco Peaks with a base elevation of 9,200 feet and boasts a lift service that rolls up to 11,500 feet (higher if you are in the mood to hike). Spring skiing and boarding at Arizona Snowbowl means planning on sugary conditions on the lower mountain and more wintry surfaces the higher you go. After a morning of skiing, soak up the sunshine and people watching on the deck of the Agassiz Restaurant in the base lodge. Arizona Snowbowl typically closes in early to late May.
» Check out lodging options at Arizona Snowbowl.
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 45 miles from Jackson Hole, it always has a chill vibe and uncrowded slopes. 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 see 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 (check Jackson Hole’s website for specific dates). 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.
More Spring Skiing Reading
- The best of spring skiing in North America
- Where to go spring skiing in the West
- Where to go spring skiing in the Midwest
- Where to go spring skiing in the East
- Where to go spring skiing in Canada
Header credit: Vail Resorts
March 17, 2025
