North America ski resorts push their closing dates into late spring and, some, into summer when snowfall has been bountiful during the ski season. So make your plans now for those ideal days ahead when the snow is soft and the sun is high in the sky. Don’t be surprised if a few of the resorts renowned for late spring skiing even extend their own forecasts into June and maybe even beyond.
If you’re new to spring skiing and snowboarding, make sure you get on the mountain early. The snow may be a bit hard in the morning, as cool overnight temps cool off yesterday’s melt, but that will soon change. Watch for snow cookies, snow snakes and few other snowy obstacles that can be present on a classic spring skiing day. Just take it a little slower, and slather on the sunscreen.
All closing dates listed here are projected or tentatively scheduled and subject to change according to ski resort conditions and weather. You’ll get an inkling of what’s going to happen in late spring and early summer by tracking what happens with spring snowstorms. Lots of snow piling up lets resorts stockpile and spread later in the season.
Palisades Tahoe, California
Palisades Tahoe calls itself the Spring Skiing Capital, and it’s for good reason. It often stays open through late May, and following the record-breaking 2023-24 ski season, Palisades Tahoe stayed open until July 4. This season is shaping up for a long spring ski season, too. Palisades Tahoe saw more than 8 feet of snow in February, and more than 11 feet in March, making for a great base heading into the spring months. Bonus: Palisades Tahoe is just minutes from Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America. Ski or ride in the morning, and then head to the lake in the afternoon. Cap off your day with waterfront happy hour at any number of great restaurants and bars that dot Lake Tahoe’s shoreline.
» View Palisades Tahoe Spring Lodging Options
Mammoth Mountain, California
Mammoth is often one of the last ski resorts to close in North America. It remains open until June during most ski seasons, but a good season of snow will extend Mammoth’s ski season much further for what the resort refers to as its ‘Second Season.’ Mammoth didn’t close until August 6 during the 2022-23 season, and has already seen a number of snowstorms this spring. After a morning of shredding, head to The Village at Mammoth for aprés-ski, or enjoy any number of great hot springs in the area. If you visit before mid-April, then don’t miss the Weekend Aprés Party at the Canyon Lodge Sundeck. Happening every Friday and Saturday, from 2-5 p.m., Mammoth’s Weekend Aprés Party is what we called one of the best aprés-ski parties in America.
» View Mammoth Spring Lodging Options
Timberline, Oregon
Timberline boasts the longest ski season in North America, with skiing available throughout the summer. April and even May often bring powder days to Mt. Hood, long after most ski resorts in North America have closed. That makes its spring pass a great option for those who live in the Pacific Northwest. Historically, Timberline doesn’t open the Palmer Express, where summer skiing/riding takes place, until June. However, they were able to open it early this season. If you want guaranteed late spring and summer skiing, then look no further than Timberline.
» View Timberline Spring Lodging Options
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
South of Mt. Hood a couple of hours, Mt. Bachelor enjoys a long spring skiing season that typically goes until the end of May. Once May arrives, expect operations mainly being on the Pine Marten, Sunrise, and Summit lifts. Mt. Bachelor is scheduled to stay open for the 2023-24 season until Memorial Day Weekend. After a morning of skiing, head into the town of Bend, which is dotted with great restaurants and breweries, or hit any number of great hiking and biking trails. Then cool off by floating the Deschutes River through Bend.
» View Mt. Bachelor Spring Lodging Options
Killington, Vermont
Killington boasts the longest spring ski season on the east coast. It often stays open until late May, and in a few rare cases, has stayed open a couple days into June. During the late season, Killington is open Fridays through Sundays, and closed during the week. Killington has a great spring skiing pass, which includes access to its nearby sister ski area, Pico Mountain. Note that only intermediate and advanced skiing/snowboarding is available during Killington’s late spring ski season.
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Snowbird, Utah
It’s fitting that one of North America’s most renowned states for skiing would have skiing that goes late into spring. The 2022-2023 ski season was a record-breaking season in Utah, including Snowbird, which broke its all-time snowfall record. As such, Snowbird was able to stay open well into June. The 2023-24 ski season has been another great year in Utah, with Snowbird planning on staying open until Memorial Day Weekend.Additionally, Brighton and Solitude are planning on skiing well into May.
» View Snowbird Spring Lodging Options
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
Arapahoe Basin, affectionately known as A-Basin, is often one of the first North America ski resorts to open and one of the last to close. As such, Arapahoe Basin has the longest ski season in Colorado. It’s not unusual for skiing and snowboarding to continue into June and beyond. Arapahoe Basin isn’t called “The Legend” for nothing. Late spring sees some great events, from A-Basin’s spring concert series to Festival of the Brewpubs, and more.
» View Arapahoe Basin Spring Lodging Options
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge historically sees skiing go well into May, and a good snow season can see its ski season stretch to the end of May. By mid- to late-April, Breckenridge switches to spring skiing operations, with late-season skiing access happening out of Peak 7. The late spring skiing and riding conditions are for intermediate-and-above level terrain. Even still, there’s a lot of great skiing to be had come spring at Breckenridge. Not to mention that the spring aprés-ski scene in Breckenridge is top-notch. In fact Breckenridge was OnTheSnow’s 2022-23 Visitors’ Choice Award winner for best aprés-ski.
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Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada
Sunshine is known for its snow farming approach, utilizing miles of fencing to capture large amounts of natural snow to spread out across the resort. This helps make it one of Canada’s longest ski seasons. Historically, Sunshine’s ski season goes late into May, and especially during a good snow season. Sunshine’s spring pass makes for about two months of great spring skiing. Check out the town of Banff after a day of skiing to soak up the sun and enjoy après-ski on any number of restaurant, bar and brewery patios.
» View Sunshine Village Spring Lodging Options
This list provides a sampling of late spring ski operations in North America. See more projected closing dates here.
Header photo: ©Ian Zinner/Arapahoe Basin
