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Anyone who spent any time at a Colorado ski area this March probably noticed that it felt more like January. With winter pressing on and spring still to follow, many resorts have extended their seasons. Some slopes are open through most of April and at least a couple (A-Basin and Breck) through May. To close out the season in style, here are the best spring skiing festivities you don’t want to miss (BYO jorts).
Related Article: The Best Snow Beaches at Colorado Ski Resorts
Cardboard Classic and Splashdown Pond Skim
April 8–9, Steamboat Resort
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With more than 400 inches at mid-mountain (and 500 at the summit!), Steamboat can celebrate its diamond anniversary in style: by extending ski season through April 16 (for the first time in three decades). Book it for the Yampa Valley for closing weekend festivities the week before to check out the famous Cardboard Classic—intrepid speedsters race homemade vessels down the hill. True: Some cardboard-and-duct-tape craft are a bit more aerodynamic than others, but that’s part of the fun. The event is free to enter.
The following day, the competition turns to the water at the Splashdown Pond Skim. Costumes are mandatory, and only the first 75 skimmers to sign up (for $20) get to throw down.
Pond Skim
April 9, Purgatory Resort
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Head down south for one of the greatest pond-skimming scenes in the state. In Durango, a hardcore crew of competitors have been defying gravity, perfecting their technique, and dialing in their costumes for years. Anyone can sign up for the Pond Skim, but space is limited. There’s also a scheduled live music lineup from the likes of bluegrassy People We Know and funky-folksy Dana Ariel and the Coming Up Roses before.
90s Retro Bash
April 15, Winter Park Resort
Dust off your starter jacket and unearth your acid-wash jeans: The 90s Retro Bash celebrates your favorite decade with a costume contest and lineup of appropriate cover bands for the occasion. Part of Winter Park’s Spring Bash, the party is free to attend (though there is a Retro Shred-A-Thon fundraiser for the High Fives Foundation) and features a couple of pop-ups with “retro” snacks and N64 games.
Surf and Snow Beach Party
April 15, Snowmass
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When it comes to spring skiing festivities, there’s a lot to choose from in the Aspen Valley. But the best fiesta happens at Elk Camp on April 15: At the Surf and Snow Beach Party, swimwear is encouraged for either the free-to-enter pond skim or patio hot tubbing (best enjoyed in that order). The margaritas are blended with a manual bike-pedal contraption, and leis are handed out for the dance party.
Springtastic and Pond Skim
April 15–16, Keystone Ski Resort
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Keystone intends to keep all three of its peaks operating until closing day on April 16, when it will go out with a splash. While there’s bound to be a lot of sun tanning happening in the field of Adirondack chairs at Labonte’s Beach on closing weekend, arrive early to nab a good spot for the annual rail jam on April 15, where smooth skiers and riders will showcase their slides and spins. The following day, the Pond Skim proposes to be epic, with a lap pool-size pond near the Mountain House base area and live music. Expect separate rail and pond contests for kiddos.
Village Concert
April 20, Vail Ski Resort
Vail has extended its season—so far—through April 23, and to coincide with its employee appreciation event (always a party), the monthly (free) Village Concert series is ramping up for a final third Thursday event. This one will feature performances by bluesy Moontricks, singer-songwriter Joe G, and electronic Lazy Syrup Orchestra; expect food, drink, and raffles, too. The fun begins at 3 p.m. at the International Bridge in Vail Village.
Slush Rush
April 22, Copper Mountain Ski Resort
Also extending its season is Copper, which is now set to run through May 7 for its longest go in a quarter of a century. In celebration of the resort’s 50th anniversary, the annual closing-weekend festivities (which are still set for April 22) are going hard: The first of its kind, the Slush Rush is less a pond-skimming contest than a triathlon. Teams of three will participate in a trifecta of competitions, including a giant slalom down the superpipe, a cross race while holding a cup of slush, and a rail jam into a pond skim. There are limited spots available for kids, adults, and pros, so sign up now. BYO tutu.
Corn Harvest
April 29, Loveland Ski Area
There’s a lot happening in Clear Creek County this spring: The longest-running amateur slalom race, called the Loveland Derby (April 15–16), proposes to attract hundreds of serious and costume-clad racers. Live music every Saturday and Sunday (and many Fridays, too) through May 7 should keep the vibes high. But perhaps the most poppin’ scene of springtime will go down on April 29 with the Corn Harvest: Shred slush all day, then chow down on barbecue and tap the kegs, while bluegrass band Mark Morris performs live. All proceeds benefit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
The Jane Beach
April 29, Winter Park Resort
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While the majority of Winter Park is set to close April 23, the resort has cooked up a deal where Mary Jane will remain open on weekends, as long as conditions allow (presumably until at least mid-May). Head up to Grand County to enjoy a couple final bump runs, then peel off layers, sip suds, and work on your goggle tan at the Jane Beach, where Adirondack chairs invite tired legs. On April 29, expect a party, complete with live music and special food and drink under slush-magnified rays.
Peak 7 Closing Weekend
May TBD, Breckenridge Ski Resort
Take it as a good sign that there’s no mad dash to lock in dates for spring skiing festivities at Breck, which has plans to operate well into May. The entire ski resort will remain open until April 16, after which skiing and riding will be limited to Peaks 6, 7, and 8 through April 23. Then, from April 24 onward, base operations will center out of Peak 7, but terrain across Peaks 6, 7 and 8 will still be open. Expect an epic pond-skimming contest and outdoor party around the end of April, details to be announced here.
Snow N’ Throw
May 6, Arapahoe Basin
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Colorado’s forever champion of the long ski season (tentative closing date scheduled for June 4) is bringing a utopia of spring skiing events to the table this year, including the Snow N’ Throw, which will see the slopes transformed into a wet, downhill disc golf course. Competitors must strike a basket with a flying disc while riding their preferred alpine vessel (skis, snowboard, and snow bike are the preferred means, but no rules outlaw other craft, so long as it can fit on a chairlift). Meet at the Black Mountain Lodge to participate, then catch the last lift to the top of the course for the contest. Prizes will be awarded.
Slush N’ Spokes
May 13, Arapahoe Basin
For anyone conflicted about skiing in May when they’d rather be on a bike, Slush N’ Spokes combines the two a week later. The downhill race offers folks the rare opportunity to (intentionally) ride their knobby-tired bike (fat, downhill, or trail) down a ski run that’s still covered in snow. It’s $69 to enter, which nets participants two lift rides, bike hauls, beer, and a chance to win prizes.
Festival of the Brewpubs
May 21, Arapahoe Basin
OK, one more at the Basin. Since skiing and beer go together like hand and glove, why not check out the Festival of the Brewpubs? Spend your morning spring skiing, then head over to the Mountain Goat Plaza for pours from the best breweries in Summit County and around the country. The official lineup should drop soon, and you can expect live music, too.
Pride Weekend
May 27–28, Arapahoe Basin
Break out the full color wheel, people, because Arapahoe Basin is going big for its second annual Pride celebration. Welcoming the LGBTQ+ community, friends, families and allies, the 2023 rainbow party lasts all weekend and will support local LGBTQ organizations, including Club Q and Mountain Pride. Ski boot dancing is sure to abound on-mountain at Black Mountain Lodge to the live spun soundtrack of DJ Vanaken. Following a collective ski down with all hands on the enormous rainbow flag, the party continues at Mountain Goat Plaza. Full schedule TBA.
