When do ski resorts close in colorado?
Locals and visitors have until the end of May to hit the mountain and get their favorite runs in, as ski Season in Colorado ends between April and June 2023, depending on the resort.
Locals and visitors have until the end of May to hit the mountain and get their favorite runs in, as ski Season in Colorado ends between April and June 2023, depending on the resort.
Most years, Colorado's 28 ski and snowboard resorts open earlier and stay open later than anyone else (roughly early October to late April, although one noteable exception — Arapahoe Basin Ski Area — can stay open well into June or even the Fourth of July as conditions allow).
Yes!
Every single ski resort in Colorado is open through March, with most closing the first and second week of April. In fact, Colorado ski resorts often see their deepest snow bases during this month since it's typically still snowing and spring storms tend to pack a heavier punch in terms of moisture.
All Colorado ski resorts remain open during the month of March. Closing dates vary year to year and are often subject to change depending on weather conditions, but most of the big guns close down the slopes sometime in April.
Sun and Snow in the Rockies
And spring is quite possibly the best time of year to ski these majestic mountains. The high elevation often brings “bluebird” conditions in the months of March and April. Complete with sunny, blue skies that make spring skiing so enjoyable – it's a unique treat that Coloradans cherish.
As for the months with the least snow, July and August typically do not see any. June, very occasionally, can experience small amounts of snow, but on average, the summer months are full of blue skies and good weather.
The ski season typically runs from late November to mid-April.
The main reason lifts close early in the day is safety. In the winter it gets darker earlier and much faster, so each resort needs to close the lifts before dusk sets in.
Arapahoe Basin, which doesn't estimate its closing date, is known for its extra-long ski season. "A-Basin," as visitors affectionately call it, is often open well into June, two whole months later than other Colorado ski resorts. It opens the slopes earlier than other resorts, too.
Is March the snowiest month in Colorado?
MARCH'S COLDEST TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED IN DENVER WAS -11 DEGREES AND OCCURRED ON THE 28TH DAY OF 1886. FOR DENVER'S NINE MONTH SNOW PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY, MARCH RANKS AS THE SNOWIEST MONTH AND TYPICALLY ACCOUNTS FOR 20 PERCENT OF THE ANNUAL SNOWFALL.
When are Vail Valley ski resorts closing for the season? 2023/24 Ski season in Vail Valley ends at 2024/04/21. Check out this list of projected closing dates for ski resorts in Vail Valley to help you plan the rest of your ski season and get those late-season turns in.

Better Deals
It's no lie that tourism “coins in” during peak season – and when it comes to skiing, that season is winter. But for those who think smart, going skiing in March is actually the best time to get cheaper deals, making it a perfect excuse to enjoy the slopes.
What time does Breckenridge Ski Resort open? Breckenridge Ski Resort chairlifts open every day at 9 am and close at 4 pm. On rare occasions, lifts may temporarily close during the day due to high winds or lightning.
High Five to Spring Vibes into May
Spring is one of our favorite times of the year at Breck for skiing and riding, and there are plenty of chances to get your spring turns in with the resort regularly scheduled to operate as long as possible into May, until the snow melts!
Yes! April is one of the best times to ski in Breckenridge. Conditions this time of year are soft and forgiving, which makes it more fun for beginners and experts alike. Thanks to late season snowfall, it's easy to enjoy Breckenridge's groomers, bowls, parks and high alpine terrain.
FOR DENVER'S NINE MONTH SNOW PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY, APRIL RANKS AS THE 5TH SNOWIEST MONTH AND ACCOUNTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 13 PERCENT OF THE ANNUAL SNOWFALL OF 53.8 INCHES. DENVER NORMALLY COLLECTS 6.8 INCHES OF SNOW IN APRIL BASED ON AVERAGES FROM FORMER STAPLETON INTL AIRPORT (1981-2010 AVERAGES).
On average, Denver sees 8.8 inches of snowfall in April, making it the second snowiest month of the year.
April can get beautiful days and huge dumps of snow, spring skiing at its finest. April ushers in spring skiing in Vail – bluebird skies, soft snow conditions and a fun, upbeat après-ski scene. Though the weather is mostly sunny and mild, spring storms still periodically dump snow on the Gore Range.
And on average, January is the coldest month in Colorado, though sometimes December is the coldest in places, such as Colorado Springs and Denver. Typically, January and February are the snowiest months, so opt for these if planning a ski vacation.
What are the two snowiest months in Colorado?
Keep in mind, we still have half of the month to go to see more snowfall and there is a chance for snow in Denver next week. Historically, the two snowiest months on average in Denver are March and April.
Denver averages about 57 inches of snow each season. The snowiest month is March with 11.5 inches on average followed by April with nearly 9 inches.
The Ski Slopes in Aspen Snowmass in the Spring are Uncrowded. The perfection of spring skiing in Aspen Snowmass is still a bit of a well-guarded secret. Chances are you'll rarely encounter a lift line in March or April. And you'll have an excellent chance of scoring those sublime first tracks, too.
With longer, sunnier days, powder storms, goggle tans, and some of the best après weather the season- it's no secret that March is one of the best months to ski in Aspen.
With a whopping four ski resorts nearby, it's no wonder Aspen is famous for its skiing. People travel from all over the world to ski here (and not just the rich and famous).
Blackout dates are those days that the Epic pass is not valid for. This means that even if you have an epic pass, you cannot ski during those days unless you purchase a separate lift ticket. These blackout dates are simply there, so the resorts can squeeze out more revenue on the most popular days of the year.
President's weekend is one of the busiest weekends for Colorado ski resorts and travel in general. The ski resorts in the Colorado mountains are large and expansive with lots of wide-open ski runs. So, even if there's a crowd at the gondola first thing in the morning, it usually spreads out as the day goes on.
Many resorts draw water from nearby streams or reservoirs and typically use compressed air and electricity to blow snow into piles on the slopes when it's cold. Those piles are then spread into a base layer that allows resorts to open in the early winter and to stay open through the spring.
Anywhere from 25 to 50 days would be an admirable goal, and make no mistake—bagging 25 days of skiing in a year is more than most skiers get! By far, the easiest way to ski 100 days in a year is to structure your work life around skiing.
Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Offering a chairlift dedicated exclusively to summer skiing (it's too snowy and windy during the winter), Timberline Lodge boasts the longest ski season in North America.
What state has the longest ski season?
Timberline. Timberline is located on the tallest mountain in Oregon, provides impressive terrain parks and has one of the longest ski seasons in North America.
Average Temperature in Denver
The cold season lasts for 3.5 months, from November 19 to March 2, with an average daily high temperature below 53°F. The coldest month of the year in Denver is December, with an average low of 23°F and high of 46°F.
1. Crested Butte. The beautiful mountain village of Crested Butte is also Colorado's snowiest city. Once an old coal mining town that has now shifted to a great little ski town for skiing and other recreational activities.
Best Time to Visit Colorado for Skiing
That said, the snow tends to be nice and deep (and still falling) in late January and into February, while March offers warm-weather spring skiing.
Aspen is more luxurious than Vail. Aspen's average home price is the second-highest in the state. You'll find plenty of high-end hotels and restaurants in town. Vail also has plenty of upscale accommodations, restaurants, and shops.
"It takes a lot of bodies to run a ski area," Goodell said. "We all love to ski on groomed terrain. One of those snow machines costs more than most houses cost." Labor costs are going up as ski areas invest more in employees, including in employee housing.
The cheapest month for flights to Vail is May. On the other hand, the most expensive months are September and October.
Just like with summer breaks, weeks that are less popular are generally cheaper. For the lowest ski holiday prices, January is the sweet spot – and it also usually has the best snow and fewest crowds, so it's a win all-round. Going at the start or end of the season can also be really good value.
Get up super early and ski half days (8-noon) on Saturdays and Sundays — Sunday mornings are usually less crowded than Saturday.
Season | Opening | Closing |
---|---|---|
21/22 | Nov 12 2021 | May 15 2022 |
20/21 | Nov 13 2020 | May 23 2021 |
19/20 | Nov 05 2019 | Mar 14 2020 * |
18/19 | Nov 07 2018 | May 27 2019 |
How late can I ski in Utah?
Utah's ski season typically runs from mid-November through to April. And, unlike other regions, the snow is generally bountiful and consistent throughout – like, 500 inches bountiful.
Typically in the United States, a ski season lasts from late November to early April, however larger resorts in Colorado and California are known to spin the lifts as late as the 4th of July.
The best time to visit Breckenridge is November through April when the slopes are ready and waiting for skiers and snowboarders. These months tend to see 300 inches of annual snowfall and average daytime temps hover in the upper 20s.
Crowds are heaviest 3rd week of march but all of march is spring break somewhere. Weekdays will be less crowded than weekends especially at breckenridge which gets weekend skiers from denver. Yes, the Spring Break crowds are bad.
Month | Snow amount (week) | Snow days (week) |
---|---|---|
January | 5.9 in | 3.2 days |
February | 8.7 in | 4.0 days |
March | 8.7 in | 3.6 days |
April | 9.4 in | 3.9 days |
It's not to late to plan an adventure this spring. Usually, by April, many people have shifted their attention to beach vacations and the like, not swooshing down the slopes for spring skiing dressed in a tshirt getting a killer tan. For the die hard skiers, skiing in April sounds like a dream!
March is also one of the snowiest months in Breckenridge, so be prepared for all weather conditions. Dress in layers, wear the right gear and pack snacks, water and sunscreen. Sunglasses and soaked-through base-layers are no fun in a snow-storm, and a goggle burn is not fun to show up with at work the next day.
Spring Skiing on The Mountain
Conditions this time of year are soft and forgiving, which makes it more fun for beginners and experts alike. Thanks to late season snowfall, it's easy to enjoy Breckenridge's groomers, bowls, parks and high alpine terrain.
The best time to go skiing is between December and April – which is the main ski season in most resorts – and each month has its benefits.
Season 2023 | Opened 10/31/22 (210 days so far) |
---|---|
Season 2022 | 11/17/21 to 05/22/22 (186 days) |
Season 2021 | 12/03/20 to 05/17/21 (165 days) |
Season 2020 | 11/02/19 to 04/20/20 (170 days) |
Season 2019 | 11/14/18 to 05/12/19 (179 days) |
Is skiing all year round in Colorado?
Ski season in Colorado usually starts in mid-October and by the beginning of November almost all the Colorado ski resorts are open for business. But the bulk of ski season in Colorado starts at the beginning of November and goes through April. Although sometimes the ski season can last into May or June.
It has snowed each month of the year in Colorado, but the snow is mainly during the months of late October - late April. Snow is usually heavier and wetter (more moisture) in the spring time than winter. The mountains receive more snow and it sticks around longer than Denver/Front Range area.
Although the busiest week of the ski season is between Christmas and New Year's, Martin Luther King, Jr and Presidents' Day long weekends are also popular times for ski vacations. Book lodging early and make restaurant reservations at least the day before.
The main reason lifts close early in the day is safety. In the winter it gets darker earlier and much faster, so each resort needs to close the lifts before dusk sets in.
Season | Opening | Closing |
---|---|---|
21/22 | Nov 12 2021 | May 15 2022 |
20/21 | Nov 13 2020 | May 23 2021 |
19/20 | Nov 05 2019 | Mar 14 2020 * |
18/19 | Nov 07 2018 | May 27 2019 |
Winter: Mid-November to Early-April
Colorado is a true winter wonderland with plenty to see and do. While snow is probable most of the season, the heaviest snows are January to March and even April can experience heavy snow.
Most well-known Colorado ski resorts charge well beyond $150 per day just to be on the mountain. Some have eclipsed the two-hundred-dollar mark for a single day of riding! And that doesn't include gear. Skiing in the Rockies is expensive.
But in a new study on ski resorts' future viability, with predictions for the benchmark years of 2050 and 2090, this just is not the case. The most dire outcome is that the majority of ski resorts won't be able to open in the year 2090, just over 70 years away.
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