The Best Spring Events and Festivals at Ski Resorts

BY OnTheSnow Staff
February 24, 2026

Spring is a bittersweet season for skiers. On one hand, it marks the end of the beloved ski season, but on the other, it brings warm, long days, fun conditions, and some of the best ski resort events of the season. Many resorts know how to throw an aprés-ski party and there’s no time that’s truer than in the spring, where they roll out the slush cups, unique food and drink options and incredible live music events. So as you make plans to end the ski season with a bang, consider some of these spring events at ski resorts across North America.

The Best Spring Events At North America Ski Resorts

Rendezvous Music Festival, Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson Hole’s Rendezvous Music Festival returns in 2026, headlined this year by The Flaming Lips, to celebrate Jackson Hole’s iconic mountain culture and the season’s electric second wind that comes with spring skiing in the Tetons. As days grow longer and conditions keep firing, Rendezvous becomes the ultimate convergence of bluebird laps, soft turns, and the ultimate après experience—one that the entire family will love.

Kid on shoulders of parents enjoying music at Rendezvous festival at Jackson Hole
©Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Souls of Mischief kicks things off with a free show under the Tram on March 27, followed by a stacked lineup on March 28 featuring The Flaming Lips, Umphrey’s McGee and Blake Horstmann. From first chair to final encore, Rendezvous Fest delivers a rare experience where all-time ski days flow seamlessly into nights you won’t want to end (you can literally ski to the venue), all set against the unmistakable backdrop of Jackson Hole in spring.

General admission tickets for March 28 are available for $49, with VIP options for those looking to elevate the experience. VIP guests enjoy free locally sourced cuisine, an open bar, private viewing areas, and more—making Rendezvous Fest as refined as it is rowdy, and as iconic as the terrain that surrounds it.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's Rendezvous Festival at Night
©Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Whistler, British Columbia

Taking place every April, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) combines Whistler’s spring energy with a unique week of mountain culture and non-stop events. WSSF brings together athletes, artists, musicians, and more for ski and snowboard competitions, music, art, photography, film, fun nightlife, and some of the best après sessions of the season. A sample of events includes photography and film showdowns, après-yoga, the Slush Cup, and shows by famous artists and DJs. WSSF is like one big ski and snowboard party to close out the ski season. Not to mention that Whistler has one of the longest ski seasons in Canada, making April a great time to get in a few more turns. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a powder day.

Group of friends enjoying drinks on a sunny day at Whistler Blackcomb
©Tourism Whistler

Pain McShlonkey Classic, Palisades Tahoe, California

Palisades Tahoe turns up every year to honor Shane McConkey, the legendary pro skier who passed away in 2009. Guests dress up in their vintage ski best and head to the slopes for slushy spring bumps and a good time. The Pain McShlonkey Classic, occurring this year on March 21, raises money for the Shane McConkey Foundation, an organization that supports other nonprofits in the ever-growing snowsports community. The day involves the classic Hot Dog Downhill race, raffles, a DJ mountain party, and more. Those who can’t make the event can also participate online with the #SnowbladeDay hashtag. Prizes are awarded for race winners and the best photo submissions.

RendezVan Festival, Mt. Bachelor, Oregon 

Mt. Bachelor hosts a massive spring festival each year that welcomes the strong community of RVers, campers, and van lifers to the resort to enjoy live music, spring laps, and one of North America’s top spring skiing destinations. RendezVan 2026 is scheduled for April 16-19. The best part? Your accommodations are just steps away from the slopes and parking lot après sessions. It all gives new meaning to ski-in, ski-out. Camping passes are on sale now. Dogs are welcome, too.

Even those who don’t camp are invited to take part in the free festivities. The base camp, in the West Village parking lot, is where the main action is, while fun happenings take place across the mountain for several days. Highlights include live music, morning mountain yoga, lawn games, food trucks, a full bar, and tons of fun vendors. If that’s not enough, Mt. Bachelor is just a short drive from Bend, Oregon, a vibey mountain town full of adventure, shopping, and great food and drink experiences.

Group of people singing and dancing outside on the snow at Mt. Bachelor
©Mt. Bachelor

Springalicious Annual Cardboard Classic, Steamboat, Colorado

Every spring, Steamboat hosts Springalicious, a massive celebration during the first two weeks of April. Bluebird days and soft spring skiing set the stage for an exciting end to the season. The two weeks are full of fun and interesting activities, like the Cardboard Classic race, which involves loads of recycled boxes, creativity, and a race down the mountain. This event has been happening at Steamboat for 44 years and invites locals and visitors alike to test their crafting skills by building race vehicles made from cardboard.

Other popular events include the Cody Challenge, a race that has been running for 18 years. The SkiMo event, in which competitors race up and down the mountain on skins and skis, raises money for the Cody St. John Foundation. This organization helps support ski patrollers continuing their medical education. The course is split into two tracks, a more advanced and a less advanced series, with both a men’s and women’s division. Other highlights include free concerts, the Splashdown Pond Skim, and more.

Springalicious, Steamboat, Spring event.
©Steamboat Resort

Taste of Vail, Vail, Colorado

What better way to celebrate the end of the ski season than by experiencing one of the preeminent food and drink festivals, Taste of Vail. Taste of Vail, founded in 1990 by a group of food and wine enthusiasts, is now it is 35th year of bringing renowned chefs, artisans, and experts together for a unique culinary experience in Vail. Taking place April 1-4, Taste of Vail is chock-full of elevated wine dinners, tastings, and more. Its premier tasting event, the Gala Grand Tasting: Alpine Elegance, features a special night of sampling food and drinks from all of Taste of Vail’s participating wineries and restaurants. Make sure to purchase tickets, and book your lodging, as far in advance as possible.

Pouring wine at Taste of Vail Food and Drink Festival
©Taste of Vail

Park City Wine Festival, Park City, Utah

The Park City Wine Festival, presented by the Canyons Village Management Association, is the ultimate weekend for wine lovers, running from April 9-11, 2026. This vibrant Park City weekend if chock-full of exciting events, including the Grand Tasting, which  features more than 50 wineries pairing great wines with stunning mountain views. For those seeking a more tailored experience, the festival offers a variety of a-la-carte events. Savor expertly paired wines at Park City restaurants offering exclusive lunches and wine dinners or deepen your wine knowledge at informative seminars. Attendees can curate their perfect wine-filled weekend while exploring the best of this charming mountain town. Park City Wine Festival takes spring aprés-ski up a few notches.

Reggae Festival, Sugarloaf, Maine

Sugarloaf Mountain‘s Reggae Festival is self-described as the East Coast’s largest spring skiing festival. While other resorts, such as Mount Snow, host their own reggae festivals, Sugarloaf’s event is considered the largest and most prominent as New Englanders flock to the resort every April for a weekend full of live music and spring slush bumps. Sugarloaf’s Reggae Festival spreads its concerts over four days, with some shows held at restaurants and bars, while the big party is held outside on Sugarloaf Beach just in front of the main lodge. This means that you can get in a few laps between performances. Check out Sugarloaf’s website for the complete schedule and lineup for its 38th annual end-of-season celebration, taking place April 10 to 12, 2026.

Reggae Festival Sugarloaf Maine.
Reggae Festival ©Sugarloaf Resort

Bodefest, Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire

Cannon Mountain celebrates skiing icon Bode Miller every spring for Bodefest. The event raises money for the Turtle Ridge Foundation, an organization that helps support adaptive and youth athletics in the local community. All proceeds go towards supporting the foundation’s goal. This is particularly a great event for kids since kids under 18 (who can self-load onto a lift and ski unassisted) can ski with Bode, providing an opportunity for your kids to meet and ski with an Olympian. The $59 early bird entry fee (increased to $69 on February 9) also includes entry to the Kids’ Fun Race, entry to an autograph session, lunch, a VIP pass to the BodeFest afterparty, and other perks. This year’s event is scheduled for March 15.

Homesick, Stratton Mountain, Vermont

Stratton Mountain‘s Homesick, presented by East Street Archives, is a three-day celebration of snowboarding culture, community, and history, returning for its fourth season from March 20-22. This unique event honors the roots of the sport, which began at Stratton, Vermont, and invites riders of all levels—legends, pros, up-and-comers, and fans alike—to join in the festivities. Attendees can enjoy on-snow events, check out the WITNESS book release, dive into nostalgia in the Vintage Board Room, and explore The Dawning Exhibit, which highlights the early days of snowboarding. Stratton after all is considered the birthplace of snowboarding. The weekend also offers opportunities to demo snowboards, have books signed by icons of the sport, and level up après with live music and drink specials. Homesick is a perfect chance to reconnect with the roots of snowboarding while enjoying spring skiing at Stratton.

St. Patrick’s Day Family Festival, Granite Peak, Wisconsin 

While many ski resorts have festivities for St. Patrick’s Day, Granite Peak goes all out for an entire weekend of celebrations. Granite Peak’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival is one of a few family festivals that the ski area hosts annually, each with their own unique style and flair. Over the weekend of March 13-15, the mountain dons an Irish theme, with a shamrock scavenger hunt and traditional Irish food being served in the Historic and Sundance Lodges. Green beer is also available across the resort. Don’t miss the mountain’s signature fireworks show on Saturday night. For $20 guests can also take a ride on the resort’s Prinoth Snow Cat grooming fleet to meet the grooming staff and see how they make the magic happen.

Family Festival, Lutsen Mountain, Minnesota 

Lutsen Mountain loves to celebrate its families, and this year, it’s got three events: the January edition has already passed, but February 20-22 and March 13-15 provide two more chances. These weekends are jam-packed with fun activities for the whole family, from scavenger hunts across the mountain to live music. You can even stop by the Lofty Gondola and enjoy pizza slices and s’mores packages. After the lifts stop spinning, there’s a classic torchlight parade and fireworks. Check out the Lusten website and take advantage of the ‘Stay and Play’ deal, which includes 3-day lodging packages and free rentals for both parents and kids.

Header image ©Jackson Hole Mountain Resort