Photo by PhotoMIX Company

We are over halfway through February, which means we are officially entering the latter half of the ski season. With skiable days dwindling and Spring Break on the horizon, it’s time to think about taking that last trip of the year before packing up the skis and boards until next season.

Late-season skiing is amazing for many reasons. Spring skiing is warmer, with longer days, shorter lines, and cheaper lift tickets. With softer snow, Spring skiing is often better for beginners and families.

Not all ski resorts are made equally. Some, while reputable, do not fare well in the late months of the winter season. Jackson Hole, for example, is known to close much earlier than most ski resorts. With many resorts closing in late March, skiers and snowboarders have to wonder which resorts are worth visiting later on.

Some resorts stay open later into the year, but their snow conditions are not always consistent. Skiing in slush isn’t fun, especially if you are a snowboarder who needs to sit down every time to strap in. Finding a resort that is open later in the season and offers quality snow is not easy. 

That’s why I’ve found them for you ;)

Mountain Conditions for Good Spring Skiing

Ski resorts that stay open later in the season aren’t just lucky. Good late-season skiing can be chalked up into three main categories: Quantity of snow, quality of snow, and geographical location of ski area.

• Quantity of snow: The best late-season ski resorts get lots of snow. Resorts such as Loveland Ski Area stay open later than most because they get tons of pow-pow-powder.

• Quality of snow: But quantity is not all that matters! A resort’s snow quality is just as important. It doesn’t matter how much snow a resort gets. It’s not good snow if it turns into slush or ice every other day.

• Geographical location: A resort’s snow quantity and snow quality is typically dictated by its location. Mammoth Mountain and Snowbird get dumped on almost every year because of their staggering elevations and their North-facing slopes. A resort that has North-facing runs is extremely important for the quality of snow during Spring skiing. Put simply, North-facing slopes get less exposure to the sun, which means less melting, and less melting means less slush, and less slush means less ice in the morning!

Best Resorts for Late-Season Skiing

These resorts are not numbered in any particular order. However, the first one might surprise you.

Timberline/Mt. Hood Meadows, OR

Photo by Jesse Borovnica on Unsplash

Have you ever dreamed of skiing year-round? Well, you can! Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood Meadows are the only locations in the United States where people can ski and snowboard all year long. That is, if conditions allow.

Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood Meadows are two separate ski resorts, but they both reside on Oregon’s ACTIVE VOLCANO, Mt. Hood. The volcano is also the state’s tallest moment, offering near-perfect conditions for year-round skiing. While Mt. Hood Meadows takes the cake for advanced skiing and snowboarding, Timberline Lodge is the only resort in the country that offers Summer skiing. Lift lines can be a little longer during the Summer months because they only use certain lifts higher up the mountain.

Arapahoe Basin, CO

Photo by Kevin May on Unsplash

Known as A-Basin, this Coloradan resort is usually the first North American to open and the last to close. Typically, A-Basin closes in June, but it isn’t surprising to see the resort stay open longer. With incredibly steep slopes and tons of powder, it makes sense that this mountain was nicknamed “The Legend.”

This former Vail-owned resort gets such a long season due to its reliable snowpack and its north-facing slopes. It is not uncommon for A-Basin to experience big pow days into May. “The Legend” always pushes to stay open late into the year. As the days get warmer, A-Basin is transformed into an apres-ski paradise, with music festivals and parties nonstop. The resort’s parking lot, “the beach,” is used for tailgating all Spring.

Mammoth Mountain, CA

Photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan on Unsplash

All the way West, in the upper regions of California, Mammoth Mountain is one of the best destinations for Spring skiing. The resort, located on a lava dome, resides in the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges and offers skiers and snowboarders consistent snow into July. Mammoth Mountain is ideal for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Mammoth gets some of the deepest snowpack in the country and its high elevations make sure the snow stays cold enough not to melt into puddles. About two-thirds of the mountain is north-facing, so much of the snow stays hidden from the sun’s warm rays. With an average snowfall of 68 inches in May and April, Californians can enjoy Mammoth’s 3,000+ acres of skiable terrain.

Killington Ski Resort, VT

Photo by Emily Ho on Unsplash

Killington is an East Coast resort that stays open into May and, on rare occasions, July. Killington Ski Resort boasts the second-highest elevation in the state and the second-greatest vertical drop in the East. These two factors make late-season skiing possible. However, visitors should be aware that the resort is only open on the weekends and is catered toward intermediate and advanced skiers/riders.

Killington’s slopes are north-facing (ish) and located atop Green Mountain. Besides skiing, the resort is known for its local delicacies and beer. This is an ideal destination for insatiable thrill seekers and seasoned skiers.

Palisades Tahoe, CA

Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash

Returning to California, Palisades Tahoe is one of the most luxurious places to ski in North America. Cold nights, warm days, and high elevations keep Tahoe’s snow sublime late into the season. Its 4,000+ skiable acres offer more north-facing slopes, making this one of the most popular Spring skiing destinations in North America.

Also located in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, this destination features a vibrant ski culture with incredible terrain for all skill levels. Visitors should bring their A-game and a nice camera to get some astonishing pictures of Lake Tahoe.

Banff Sunshine Village / Lake Louise, Canada

Photo by Jaime Reimer on Pexels

Whistler Blackcomb is Canada’s penultimate ski destination, but did you know Banff, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay are as equally impressive?

Ski Big 3 is the culmination of three mountain resorts including Banff, Mt. Norquay, and Lake Louise. Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise are particularly great spots for Spring skiing. High elevations and extremely cold weather keep the snowpack from melting too early, and their northern latitude aid in protecting the slopes from the sun. Banff and Lake Louise offer terrific terrain for all skill levels and the views of Lake Louise from the summits are like no other.

Loveland Ski Area, CO

Photo by Nicolai Berntsen on Unsplash

One of the best Spring skiing destinations is a mere hour and a half away from the Denver airport! Loveland Ski Area is a respected ski destination West of Denver. This resort is for skiing and snowboarding, and nothing else. With no hotels onsite, Loveland Ski Area gets some of the best snowfall in the country!

With a season that often begins in October, it is not uncommon for pow days to occur as late as May. Often overshadowed by nearby resorts, such as Keystone, Loveland Ski Area is a quaint yet impressive destination that is near-perfect for small families and late-season skiers.

Alyeski Resort, AL

Photo by Volker Meyer on Pexels

Near Anchorage, Alaska, Alyeski Resort gets lots of snow and lots of light. During the Spring, Alaska gets 15-hour days, making the amount one can ski in a single day almost too much!

While traveling to Alaska is an obstacle in itself, Alyeski may not be everyone’s cup of tea. With the longest double black run in all of North America, this resort is loved by advanced skiers and riders. Others can appreciate Alaska’s mouth-watering views and relaxed apres-ski.

Snowbird, Ut

Photo by Cameron Smith on Unsplash

The state of Utah receives lots of snow every year and Snowbird is an ideal Spring skiing location for those on the hunt for late-season powder. Only 30 minutes outside of Salt Lake City, Snowbird is Utah’s highest ski resort.

Most of Snowbird’s terrain is north-facing and the resort gets snow well into April. In fact, the resort has stayed open to celebrate the 4th of July on numerous occasions. Considering this destination is so close to a major city, Snowbird is one of the most popular Spring break destinations for families and students.

Mt. Bachelor, OR

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Located in Oregon, Mt. Bachelor is a bucket-list destination for many seasoned skiers and riders. Its staggering elevations make for incredible Spring skiing. One could argue that its Spring skiing is better than its winter skiing.

The resort boasts 1,700 vertical feet all above the tree line, but this terrain is often closed due to winter storms. When Spring comes, this area is open to all for some of the best carving of the year. Mt. Bachelor is also one of the best destinations for backcountry skiers and snowboarders. Its deep snowpack is paired well with a lively ski-apres scene that will wash away all those bumps and bruises from the slopes.

#DoWhatYouBelieve

With the ski season coming to a close in the next few months, this is your chance to get out there and #DoWhatYouBelieve. Here at Outdoor Master, our goal is to supply beginner and experienced outdoor enthusiasts with the gear they need to thrive. Winter just happens to be one of our specialties. Check out our goggles and helmets! Outdoor Master makes high-quality ski gear at a fraction of the cost. Doing what you love should not mean going broke.

So… are you ready?