Best Spring Skiing in Colorado

Your Complete Guide to Late-Season Colorado Skiing | Updated 2/25/19

Sun and Snow in the Rockies

Want to fast-forward to see the top 3 reasons not to miss Colorado's epic 2018-2019 ski season? In this piece, we provide updates on a few mind-blowing stats on this year's enormous total snowfall amounts. If you're on the fence about a last-minute spring ski trip, this should provide enough convincing.

With 28 world-class resorts (see our page on comparing Colorado ski resorts here), Colorado is arguably the epicenter of North American ski culture. And spring is quite possibly the best time of year to ski these majestic mountains. The high elevation often brings “blue bird” 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. The best part? You typically don’t have to sacrifice excellent snow conditions to enjoy the milder weather. March and April are often the heaviest months for Colorado snowfall, so you’re equally likely to be cruising through fresh powder as you are to be getting a suntan. Now how’s that for a two-for-one?

Update: Multi-mountain passes for Colorado mountains and resorts around the world typically go on sale in March and April. Click here to learn more about which ski pass is right for you and see 2019-2020 season pass prices.

Colorado in March

Skiing in Colorado in March can be confusing to out-of-towners. Colorado actually sees its highest monthly snowfall in March -- around 25-30 inches on average in the high country. However, these dumps of snow are typically followed by warm, spring-like days, when you'll see people skiing in shorts and t-shirts. The combination of heavy snowstorms and bluebird days creates a great apre-ski scene, so you're likely to see some kind of event or party going on during the weekends and Spring Break.

As for snow quality, in a "normal" year, it can be mixed. However, after the incredible winter the Rockies have seen in 2019, there will be epic skiing deep into the season. If you ever were to plan a spring ski trip, this is the year. In fact, the snow is so good, Breckenridge announced it will now stay open through Memorial Day (May 27).

Here's a quick breakdown of the average March highs and lows of a few resorts in Colorado.

Breckenridge: 48°/20°
Vail: 43°/16°
Telluride: 43°/14°
Steamboat: 43°/16°

Colorado in April

In 2019, we've seen enormous amounts of snow, so this year's April skiing conditions are likely to be the best they've been in as many as 20 years. Already, Breckenridge has extended its season to Memorial Day, and A-Basin will be open into June. To celebrate this historic season, InvitedHome is offering the 4th night of your stay for free when you book 3 nights between April 1 and April 30, 2019. To learn more about this April special, call us at (970) 368-8082. And remember, any InvitedHome rentals include 24-hour guest services, a dedicated vacation consultant from booking to checkout, high-end linens, and a responsive local team to ensure your stay goes exactly as planned.

For many, April is a time for fun last runs of the season with friends, mixing other activities in thanks to the longer days, and resort-sponsored events. Concerts, parties, and festivals are common. If you're looking for a great spring skiing experience, head to any of the resorts for their final-day festivities. Below is a list of 2019 Colorado ski resort closing dates.

And here's a look at April's average highs and lows:
Breckenridge: 54°/26°
Vail: 50°/23°
Telluride: 51°/22°
Steamboat: 54°/25°

The 2019 closing dates for Colorado ski resorts are:
A-Basin: June 6 (This estimate is one of the latest in the state)
Breck: May 27
Beaver Creek: April 14
Vail: April 21
Telluride: April 7
Steamboat: April 14

Spring Break Deals

Discounted Vacation Rentals ~ when you want them most

Every week we feature a few homes that would be perfect for a Colorado Spring Break getaway, and even include a discount on them. Check out this week's discounted homes below, and click to learn more about the home.

Mountain Kingdom: Breckenridge

6 Bedrooms
Sleeps 21 guests
5 full bathrooms and 2 half bathrooms
Incredible mountain views from outdoor deck and hot tub
Click here for booking information

Clearview at the Meadows: Beaver Creek

3 Bedrooms
Sleeps 8 guests
Steps from chairlifts at Beaver Creek
Click here to learn more

Seventh Heaven: Breckenridge

5 Bedrooms
Sleeps 17 guests
5 full bathrooms, one half bath
Incredible amenities, featured in Better Homes and Gardens and the Travel Channel
Click here to view or book this home

Nordic Hideaway at the Ascent: Beaver Creek

3 bedrooms
Sleeps 6
3 full bathrooms
Located walking distance to the shops, restaurants, and bars of Avon
Free shuttle to the lifts
Click here to learn more

Where to Ski in Colorado in March and April

The resort you choose comes down to a couple qualifications, including when you’re traveling, and who’s in your group.

Spring Skiing at Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin, also known as “A-basin”, “A-Bay” or simply “The Basin”, is perhaps the favorite local spot.
Arapahoe is a great spot for younger folks looking to let loose and get a true taste of Colorado life. But, we don’t recommend it for tourist groups looking for family activities or resort amenities.
Tailgating and picnicking are a-ok. Bring your own grill and cook up some barbecue in the parking lot. Or contact the resort to reserve a spot on the “beach”and take your party slope-side.
Dogs are welcome in the parking lot and beach, so feel free to bring along a furry friend.
If DIY isn’t your style, grab a beverage from the bar at the base lodge and head out to the sun deck to watch skiers come down. And enjoy phenomenal views of the basin’s unique topography.
If you’re driving up from Denver, take the Loveland Pass off I-70 to enjoy breathtaking views at the Continental Divide. Just be forewarned, it’s a doozy of a drive with no guard rails. If weather conditions are not ideal, you’ll want to take Highway 6 instead.
Arapahoe Basin stays open much later into the Spring than other Colorado resorts. You can often ski here until June or even July, depending on snow conditions, thanks to its high elevation and primarily north-facing slopes.

Where to stay when skiing at A-Basin

While there isn't a resort at the base of the mountain, there's plenty of lodging options nearby. Check out our vacation rentals in Breckenridge, just a 30-minute drive from the lifts.

Spring Skiing at Breckenridge

Big news for 2019! This year, Breckenridge is planning to stay open through Memorial Day (Monday, May 27). That gives you all of April and nearly all of May to experience Breck's fantastic spring skiing. Be one of the first to book any of our Breckenridge vacation homes near the slopes in the month of May!
This is a large-scale resort, so you know it’s great for big groups of adults or families. Enjoy sprawling on-mountain patios with bars and food offerings outdoors. Soak up some sun and say hi to fellow skiers. For an even deeper dive into Breckenridge, check out our complete guide to the town, resort, and surrounding mountains, or our list of the Top 15 Family Activities in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge also boasts a vibrant downtown and nightlife scene for après-ski adventures.
The ski area is projected to close on April 22, 2018. But, they have added an additional weekend in the past when snowfall is above average. Stay tuned.
Check out the Spring Fever Concert series March 16 – April 21, 2019.

Be on the lookout for these events in Breckenridge in March and April

Helly Hansen Big Mountain Challenge
Youth Ski League Championships
Easter Weekend
Breck Spring Beer Festival
Breck Chili Cookoff
Breck Ascent Series Race #4
Closing Day & Breck Plunge

For lodging options, check out all our luxury Breckenridge vacation rentals here. Or check out our Spring Break Pick of the Week, Moose Ridge Cabin, pictured on the right.

Spring Skiing at Copper

Copper’s spring skiing scene is all about the party. You might want to leave the kids at home if you’re coming for closing weekend, though.
Closing day at Copper is a spectacle. Check out the Sunsation festival on April 20-21, 2019 to celebrate the last day of ski season. This upbeat event includes a RedBull Slopesoakers competition, a freestyle showdown that incorporates floating rails to put a unique spin on pond skimming… plus free live music, a color run, cardboard box races and even a bikini contest.

Spring Skiing at Steamboat Springs

With a registered trademark on the term “Champagne Powder”, this resort’s main claim to fame is its distinct northern Colorado brand of snow.
Steamboat is a bit off the beaten path, and locals like it that way. Head here to avoid the crowds at more mainstream resorts to the south on highway I-70.
Lifts stay open later thanks to additional daylight in the spring. Some say the last chair on a bluebird day is almost as satisfying as the first chair on a powder day.
Enjoy pond skimming, free concerts, and celebrations galore throughout the month of April.
Stop by the Strawberry Park hot springs for a soak in natural, healing mineral water after long days of skiing.
For a complete look at Steamboat and all there is to do there, check out our guide here.
The mountain has a projected closing date of April 14 in 2019.

To see all our luxury vacation rentals in Steamboat Springs, click here.

Spring Skiing at Telluride

Telluride has some of the best ski-in, ski-out homes of any resort in the country. Whether you're looking for a ski-in, ski-out condo or a large hillside estate, you'll find it on our list of the 13 best ski-in, ski-out homes in Telluride.

Telluride is the top spot for experienced riders. There’s a plethora of expert terrain, if that’s what you’re looking for. But there are plenty of beginner runs for less aggressive riders and children, too.
Enjoy closing weekend with a classic pond skim and a wild west après-atmosphere. We recommend Gorrono Ranch, with its awe-inspiring views of the Wilson Range and a cabin bar with a wood stove that will take you back to the days when outlaw Butch Cassidy resided around these parts.
Telluride’s ski season ends on the early side to accommodate for elk migration patterns. The resort will close its doors on April 7 in 2019.
You can look through all our luxury vacation rentals in Telluride here. We've also put together a comparison of the different neighborhoods of Telluride, including Mountain Village and Town.
Telluride is one of Colorado's most remote ski resorts, however it's getting much easier to fly into it. Check out this updated page on How to Get to Telluride, including new flights and recommended driving routes.

Where to Stay in Telluride

Five Woods Retreat

Be one of the first to experience the recently remodeled Five Woods Retreat, which now has 7 bedrooms and can sleep up to 18 guests. Located directly on the golf course, it has sweeping mountain views, and is close to all the world-class skiing Telluride is known for. You'll also experience:

A private outdoor hot tub
A covered deck with dining setup
A grand fireplace with a true ski lodge feel
Click here to see more photos and availability

Winterfell

Winterfell has the ski-in, ski-out access you're looking for, and the space you need. With 5 bedrooms and an additional sleeping area, up to 14 guests can stay in this gorgeous mountain home, which also features:

A private outdoor hot tub
A steam shower
home theater
Free shuttle to town
See more photos and booking information here

Spring Skiing at Vail

This area is perfect for a romantic or just plain classy getaway. The village design was based on the classic European ski resorts, giving it a distinctly ski-retreat feel.
Vail's sister resort is Beaver Creek, however both of these mountains have their own feel. Learn more about each in our article Beaver Creek Vs. Vail: What's the Difference?
Vail is known for its iconic village, with its unique European feel and plentiful restaurant and nightlife options. Probably the most vibrant après-ski celebration scene in Colorado. We’ll let you be the judge.
Vail boasts numerous lifts, gondolas, basins and famed “back bowls” that usually remain open until season’s end.
Closing weekend is a big deal in the Vail Valley. Think A-list bands & DJ’s, pond skimming, and other distinctive events, culminating with Spring Back to Vail on closing day. They know how to say goodbye for the season right.
In 2019, the resort will close on April 21. If you want to extend your stay, check out our complete guide to Vail here.

Many of our guests also enjoy heading to Vail for the entire ski or summer season. If you're interested in this, take a look at our page on the best Vail seasonal and long-term rentals.

What You Should Know

A Few Pro Tips ~ For Spring Skiing in Colorado

Wear layers. At high altitude, temps can rise and fall quickly, and you might be surprised how warm (or cold) you get during different times of day.
Bring sunscreen. The sunlight is extremely powerful at this elevation as well, and may lead to serious sunburns if precautions are not taken.
Take your time waking up and hit the slopes in late morning. The freeze-thaw cycle in springtime can often create harder snow or even icy conditions in the early a.m.
Make friends at the mountain! Coloradans are typically friendly folk, especially on sunny spring days where the locally brewed craft beers & spirits are flowing.
Learn how to prevent or treat altitude sickness. Our information sheet on altitude sickness is geared toward Telluride, but the lessons learned can be applied to any high-altitude setting.

Want to Keep Reading?

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Beaver Creek vs Vail

What’s the difference between skiing Beaver Creek and skiing Vail? It’s a question our Guest Experience teams get all the time, so we thought we’d offer our deep knowledge of both resorts to help you choose the best destination for your family or group.

Which Colorado Ski Pass is Right for You?

Overwhelmed at all the different price points and offerings of the different ski passes? We break them all down for you here, so you can confidently choose the right one for your ski season.