Spring skiing means different things to different people and different destinations. For some ski destinations, like the Midwest, spring skiing is mainly just in March, while in other destinations, like Utah, the spring ski season can go into May (and beyond during a good snow year). If you’re lucky and time it just right, you may even be able to catch a spring powder day or two. Just remember to layer up, and sunscreen up. And, arrive as early as possible so you can get as much of the good snow as possible.
While it’s easy to make a list of the best spring skiing destinations in North America full of the major ski resorts, we’re taking a slightly different approach. We’re leading off with some of the bigger, more renowned ski destination for spring skiing, while also including a few ski resorts that may not be on your spring skiing radar.
The Best Spring Skiing Destinations in North America
Utah
Spring in Utah is the ski season’s cherry on top, bringing together fun ski conditions, warmer temps, and good vibes. Utah’s snow — also known as The Greatest Snow on Earth® — typically continues well into April, which means excellent powder and gorgeous bluebird days. Beyond the slopes, spring is celebrated with end-of-season events, from pond skims and rail jams to St. Patrick’s Day parties, outdoor concerts, and much more.
Utah’s aprés-ski scene comes alive in the spring with sun-drenched decks and bustling patio parties at ski areas across the state. Ski in to High West Distillery in Park City, hop your way around Ogden’s great breweries and distilleries, or soak up the sunshine on any number of great patio decks at Salt Lake’s Cottonwood Canyons resorts and beyond.
What’s more, as spring arrives in Utah the peak winter crowds have gone. Spring means no traffic jams, shorter lift lines, discounted lift tickets and accommodations, and a more laid-back atmosphere. If you’re lucky, you may enjoy a bonus powder day. A number of Utah’s ski resorts typically stay open through April and some into May, making for one of the longest spring skiing seasons in North America. Start planning your spring Utah ski trip now.
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
Arapahoe Basin, aka A-Basin, boasts one of the longest ski seasons in North America. A-Basin’s ski terrain offers what is essentially two back-to-back bowls oriented north and south. That means lots of skiable terrain with 145 trails. Spring snow comes in all sorts of quality packages and you’ll likely find it all here. A-Basin is Rocky Mountain high, 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. Don’t miss spending some time on the Beach. It’s a section of the Early Riser parking lot in an ideal location to take a break, relax and grab some rays between runs.
» Check out spring lodging options at Arapahoe.
Breckenridge
While Breckenridge’s ski season isn’t quite as long as Arapahoe Basin, it’s still one of the longest ski seasons in Colorado, often stretching well into May. Breckenridge’s 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 incredible aprés-ski scene, which we recognized in the 2022-23 OnTheSnow Visitors’ Choice Awards. 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. Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Breckenridge are all within 30 minutes of one another, making this one of the best corners of America for spring skiing.
» Check out spring lodging options at Arapahoe.
Killington, Vermont
Killington often has ski terrain open until around Memorial Day weekend in late May. Don’t expect a full mountain adventure, but there will be some limited terrain toward the end of its season. However, note that late in the season, there isn’t much beginner-friendly terrain. We recommend checking Killington’s website ahead of your spring Vermont ski trip to see what terrain is open. You can usually count on some corn snow fun on a sunny spring day after freezing temperatures the night before. Killington regularly offers a pass for spring skiing from mid-March until the end of the season. Killington’s spring pass is also good at neighboring Pico,
» Check out spring lodging options at Killington.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Spring skiing in Whistler is a must-do for anyone looking for smooth runs, bluebird days, and sun-soaked après-ski in Canada. The season typically goes until around mid-April at both mountains and then continues into May at Blackcomb. According to Whistler Blackcomb, “Runs like Whistler Bowl, Spanky’s Ladder or Glacier Bowl are great in the morning, whereas you can save Sun Bowl and the front side of 7th Heaven for the afternoon to get the prime conditions – the snow will be much softer from a full day of sun exposure.”
» Check out spring lodging options at Whistler/Blackcomb.
Sunshine Village, Alberta
We can’t talk spring skiing in Canada and not mention Alberta’s SkiBig3 ski resorts. While Mt. Norquay typically closes by late-April, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village are open into May. Lake Louise typically closes in early May, while Sunshine continues ski operations until later in May. The Banff Sunshine Slush Cup and Slushine Rail Jam are among the fun events happening as the Banff ski season comes to a close. Spring is such a great time in Canada, too, because of such longer days. Skiers and riders can get in a few hours of laps on soft snow before exploring all that Banff has to offer. Bonus: You can combine a spring ski trip to Banff with adventures around Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park.
» View Sunshine Village spring lodging options.
Telluride, Colorado
The spring ski season in Telluride kicks off with the arrival of March and continues into early April. Although that’s just about a month of spring skiing, it’s so worth it. Plus, spring is prime après-ski season in Telluride. Head to Gorrono Ranch, conveniently located by the Misty Maiden ski run, for live music and a beer or cocktail on the deck. Alternatively, lounge on the sunny patio at Tomboy Tavern, at the bottom of Lift 4, with a local brew and nibbles. For a really unique experience, which is perfect on a late-season sunny day, try to grab a patio table at Alpino Vino, the second-highest elevation restaurant in North America, at 11,966 feet, and featuring a four-course, prix-fixe Italian menu.
» Check out spring lodging options at Telluride.
Mammoth Mountain, California
Skiing takes place at Mammoth Mountain long after many ski resorts have closed. Mammoth’s ski season typically extends through May, and sometimes even into the summer months. Mammoth Mountain has the benefit of the highest lift-served terrain in California, with a summit at 11,053 feet, and a ski season that typically sees at least 300 inches of snow. If you time it right, you may be treated to an April or even May powder day. After skiing in the morning, hit any one of the nearby hot springs. Then head to The Village at Mammoth for patio drinks and dinner.
» Check out spring lodging options at Mammoth.
Palisades Tahoe, California
It’s impossible to talk great spring skiing and not talk about Palisades Tahoe, considering it’s the self-proclaimed Spring Skiing Capital, boasting the longest ski season in Lake Tahoe. Here, skiing typically goes all the way through spring, and often into summer. Palisades Tahoe was open until July 4th during the 2022-23 ski season, with skiing happening at Alpine over the last few weekends of the season. While the spring ski conditions are about as good as you’ll find, so is the aprés-ski experience and events. Spring brings fun events like the annual pond skim, Alpine’s annual Snow Golf Tournament, the Made in Tahoe Festival, and live music in The Village at Palisades Tahoe. After a morning on the slopes, head to any number of great nearby biking trails around Lake Tahoe, or simply soak up the sun and warmer weather on North America’s largest alpine lake.
» Check out spring lodging options at Palisades Tahoe Lodging
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
While Oregon doesn’t come with the warm spring sun of California, it comes with a long ski season at many ski resorts, including Mt. Bachelor. One of Oregon’s higher peaks, Mt. Bachelor has a long ski season that can go into late May. And as one of the largest ski resorts in North America, it has a lot of terrain. After a morning of skiing, head to the Clearing Rock Bar, at the West Village Lodge, and soak up the sun with unbeatable views of Mt. Bachelor. Spring comes with great events, too, including Subaru Winterfest and RendezVan. Once your day is wrapped up on the slopes, head into Bend, which is chock-full of craft breweries, alley bars, and waterfront patios.
For an even longer ski season, check out Timberline Lodge, which is open for skiing through the summer.
» Check out spring lodging options at Mt. Bachelor and Timberline Lodge.
Ski resorts you may not be thinking of for spring skiing
Whiteface at Lake Placid, New York
While spring plants and flowers are pushing up through the dirt in much of the Northeast by the time mid-March arrives, Lake Placid makes for a great few weeks of spring skiing until Whiteface closes, typically in mid-April. Spring can often combine for the sunniest and snowiest time of the season here, thanks to Whiteface’s elevation at almost 5,000 feet. But think of spring skiing here as skiing on mashed potatoes, both heavy and soft. You will have worked for that post-ski hot tub session.
Spring corn snow is generally found higher up on steeper terrain, where the snow’s surface begins to break up into little kernels. You’ll go fast but still hold an edge for carving. Take a break in the mid-day sunshine at Whiteface’s Midstation Lodge, where you can make some new friends on the deck while enjoying a mid-day snack and drinks. On the way to or from Whiteface, drop in at Gore Mountain, Whiteface’s sister resort, for some spring turns.
» Check out spring lodging options at Whiteface or at Gore Mountain.
The Highlands, Michigan
Why yes, you can find some spring skiing in the Midwest. The Highlands (formerly known as the Boyne Highlands) in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is often a good bet into April. However, the waning weeks of March are a bit safer on your calendar. The Highlands will host a “Ring In Spring” weekend March 14-16 with its popular Slush Cup, St. Patrick’s Day weekend festivities, plenty of live music, and lots more. Additionally, the resort will often extend lift hours during the spring ski season and keep the lifts running late into the day. While you’re at it, early spring skiing is available at nearby Nubs Nob and Boyne Mt.
» Check out spring lodging options at Boyne Highlands or at Nubs Nob.
Wolf Creek, Colorado
It’s only fitting that Colorado’s snowiest ski area would also be such a great spring skiing destination. Skiing and riding on that blanket of snow in spring brings the added fun of a bunch of events like Local Appreciation Days (in which everyone is a “local”), College Days, Fun Races, and a Costume Contest. Per tradition, the Easter Bunny will visit and host an egg hunt at Wolf Pup Hollow on Easter Sunday. Grab a tasty lunch or beverage during the extended season from either the Wolf Creek Lodge or Continental Espresso Bar. Wolf Creek typically closes in mid-April, but keep an eye out on their website and social media channels for updates.
» Check out spring lodging options at Wolf Creek.
Sugar Bowl, California
Spring skiing at Sugar Bowl, a venerable resort 10 miles west of Northstar on Donner Pass, can easily be bypassed for the bigger Lake Tahoe names. But don’t sleep on the great spring skiing that’s found here. Spring skiing at Sugar Bowl goes until about mid-April, and means finding corn snow skiing in that warm California sun. Softer, more forgiving snow, also can mean it’s a great time to make progress on your skills. You can expect spirited après-ski on the patios outside of both lodges. Events include the Mini-Pipe Meltdown and Tiki Pond Skim.
» Check out spring lodging options in Lake Tahoe.
Fernie, British Columbia
Fernie Alpine Resort, located in Interior British Columbia, is a friendly mountain and ski town in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It’s just over a three-hour drive from Calgary. Fernie is typically open until mid-April, and late in the season often has its fair share of powder stashes, bluebird days, and après-ski fun on patios overlooking its ski runs. When you’re done skiing for the day, historic Downtown Fernie is dotted with shops, cafes, restaurants, brewpubs, and spas that makes it one of the most fun ski towns in Canada.
» Check out spring lodging options at Fernie.
More Spring Skiing Reading
- Where to go spring skiing in Canada
- Where to go spring skiing on the West Coast
- Where to go spring skiing in the Midwest
- Where to go spring skiing in the Rockies
- Where to go spring skiing in the East
Header image ©Scott Markewitz/Visit Utah
May 11, 2025
