Why We Love Spring Skiing in Colorado
Warm days and lots of snow make Spring skiing in Colorado a dream
Here in Colorado, we’re lucky enough to get three seasons of skiing each year. Our pre-season can begin as early as late October and comes with all the joys of being among the first batch of riders and all the challenges of patchy, mixed conditions. Mid-Winter brings the promise of fresh, thick powder, hordes of holiday tourists, and mixed visibility. However, Spring is when the state really shines. Though you’ll still catch us dodging rocks in October and freezing our beards off in January, here are some reasons why we love Spring skiing the most.
Longer days mean more sunshine and warmer weather:
Tired of having to be first on the mountain to get some turns in before the sun sets at 4pm? In Spring there’s no need! We love enjoying relaxed mornings with a few Bloody’s before gearing up for a warm, windless, “bluebird” day. Even if you’re an avid, all-day-with-no-breaks kind of skier, there’s nothing quite like knowing you’ll have plenty of light and visibility right up until the lifts close. If you’re in the right spot, you might even have a chance to catch the beginnings of a Rocky Mountain sunset as you carve out your “last” run.
Even at 12,000 feet, Colorado’s “warm” season is is a welcome shift from frigid Winter conditions. Many Coloradans have worn both sandals and ski boots on the same day, so don’t be surprised if you also see t-shirts or even a bikini top speeding down the slopes. With humidity that usually stays below national averages, you can stay nice and dry even after a few powder runs. Just be sure to pack backup layers in the case of a late season storm!
Heading off from camp towards the snow
There’s plenty of snowpack:
Believe it or not, some Colorado hills have closed as late as June! While most people accept that June conditions are not peak conditions, the fact is that if you’re not ready to accept that Spring is here, you can keep riding even while your low-altitude friends are breaking out their mountain bikes and pumping up paddle boards. Even with Summer months rapidly approaching, one can still find excellent snowpack well into April and sometimes through mid-May. Certain mountains benefit from having North-facing runs that stay covered until the hill closes. Below are a few choice mountains along with their projected 2023 closing dates:
Copper Mountain | April 23rd
Loveland | May 8th
Winter Park | May 21st
Breckenridge | May 28th
Arapahoe Basin | June 4th
It’s a great time to go with kids:
Watching tiny bundles of fleece and Gore-Tex pizza their way down the mountain is adorably entertaining, but milder weather makes for a much more pleasant skiing experience for both kids and parents. Even the most insulated child still has much less mass than their adult counterpart and therefore will always have more trouble maintaining a comfortable core temperature. More predictable weather patterns also mean that you and your little ones have much less chance of getting caught at the peak in an unexpected blizzard.
Spring is also a much better season for teaching your kids how to ski and refining their skills. In general, hills are less busy with tourists which means less time standing in lines and more time practicing on groomers before they get choppy. Need some advice on how to get the little ones down the hill? Check out our blog about teaching kids for the first time.
Lastly, if you or your family are new to skiing, Spring is a great time to find discounted gear. The price point of ski/snowboard gear is often a barrier to entry for most newcomers but taking advantage of late-season sales is a great way to find reliable gear for your next adventure.
Getting the little kids out for some turns in warm weather
Steamboat Springs Pond Skiing
Spring skiing is a party:
The real fun begins when the need to “hunker down” goes away and the sun comes out more consistently. Many mountains host a slew of fun Spring events to get you out of the lodge and onto the slopes. Events usually include live outdoor concerts, costume contests, pond skimming and more.
Here is a quick list of some of the scheduled events for Spring 2023:
Winter Park’s Spring Bash & Splash
April 8-23
Steamboat Spring’s Springalicious
April 1-9th
Arapahoe Basin’s “GAPER” Day
Stands for Guaranteed Accident Prone Every Run) that harkens back to the days of neon jumpsuits, mono skis, and oversized sunglasses.
TBA
Crested Butte’s Beer Ski World Championships
For those who want to test their Nordic ski abilities, Crested Butte hosts the “Beer Ski World Championships” which feature both solo and team-relay events in which racers are required to both finish beers and laps faster than their opponents.
April 8th
It’s the best time to ski camp:
Our heated vans can maintain a comfortable temperature in just about any climate but you’ll seldom find us chilling and grilling outside in the dead of Winter. In Spring, the vans serve as your bedroom and kitchen with the great outdoors as your living area. Many camping areas become much more social during the Spring months and some dispersed areas become more accessible. With less tourists, the places we avoid all Summer like big RV parks and KOAs turn into quiet oases once the snow begins to fall. Many also have great amenities to make your Spring ski camping experience even more comfortable.
Not sure where you can camp near ski areas in Colorado? We build a guide just for winter camping trips! Check it out here.
Camp down low
Then drive up into the snow
Whether you’re hitting opening day or skiing the last storm of the year, Titus Adventure Co. has the gear and vehicles you need to have great experiences across all seasons. We love Spring skiing in particular for its approachability, fair weather, and fun events. Book your van now before the season’s over and we’ll see you on the slopes!
