7 Best Ski Resorts for Spring Skiing in North America

Spring skiing combines the excitement of shredding fresh powder with the warmth and fun of sunnier days. While the winter crowds thin out, experienced skiers and snowboarders know that the season still has plenty to offer—from discounted lift tickets to world-class après-ski. But not all resorts are equal when it comes to spring conditions.

I’ve rounded up the 7 best spring skiing resorts (really 9) in North America from Colorado to Canada. Each of these ski areas tend to hold snow and keep trails open through April.

What Makes a Resort Perfect for Spring Skiing?

Spring skiing is all about the balance of great snow and the relaxed atmosphere that this time of year offers. Here’s what to look for:

Key Conditions for Great Spring Skiing

• Higher Elevation: Resorts with higher peaks hold snow better, making terrain softer and more fun even as temperatures rise.
• North-Facing Slopes: Slopes that face north get less direct sunlight, meaning slower snowmelt and great conditions well into April and May.
• Minimal East/West-Facing Terrain: Sun exposure on east- and west-facing slopes tends to create freeze-thaw cycles that can turn skiing into a less enjoyable experience.

Perks of Spring Skiing

• Lower Costs: Enjoy significant discounts on lodging, lift tickets, and passes as resorts wind down for the season.
• Sunny Weather: Trade heavy winter gear for sunglasses and lighter clothes while soaking up bluebird days.
• Crowd-Free Days: With fewer people on the slopes, it feels like you have the mountain all to yourself.
• Après-Ski Options: Outdoor barbecues, live music, and patio vibes offer unique ways to wind down after hitting the slopes.

7 Best Ski Resorts for Spring Skiing in North America

7. Lake Louise & Banff Sunshine, Alberta

• 3,358/4,200 Skiable Acres
• 360″/179″ Annual Snowfall
• 3,500/3,250 ft Vertical Drop
• 1-hour 45 min drive from Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Best Place to Stay: Post Hotel & Spa

Picture yourself carving down slopes with the iconic Canadian Rockies as your backdrop. Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine, two of Canada’s highest-elevation ski resorts, blend stunning scenery and reliable spring snow.

• Why It’s Great: Lake Louise offers varied terrain for all skill levels, while Banff Sunshine is renowned for its long season, often running into May.
• Spring Visitor Tip: Pair your skiing adventure with a trip to Banff National Park for breathtaking hikes and world renowned views.

6. Telluride, Colorado

• 2,000 Skiable Acres
• 300″ Annual Snowfall
• 4,425 ft Vertical Drop
• 1 hour 30-minute drive from Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)
• Best Place to Stay: Inn at Lost Creek

Tucked away in a remote box canyon, Telluride offers pristine skiing and a unique, small-town charm that’s hard to match. With high-altitude slopes and reliable snow preservation, it’s a spring paradise.

• Spring Visitor Tip: Spend part of your trip exploring the picturesque San Juan Mountains or enjoy mid-morning skiing followed by a relaxing afternoon in town.
• Why It’s Great: Telluride combines awesome skiing with festival-like spring vibes, complete with live music, outdoor dining, and local breweries.

5. Aspen, Colorado (Snowmass)

• 3,339 Skiable Acres
• 300″ Annual Snowfall
• 4,406 ft Vertical Drop
• 2-hour drive from Boise Airport (BOI)
• Best Place to Stay: Limelight Hotel Snowmass

Luxury meets spring skiing in Aspen, where the north-facing slopes guarantee quality runs late into the season. This destination is famous not just for skiing, but for its vibrant après-ski culture. Aspen has four different mountain areas, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk with Snowmass being the largest.

• Spring Visitor Tip: Make time to visit Aspen Mountain for steeper, more advanced runs or relax with outdoor drinks and people-watching along Aspen’s iconic streets.
• Why It’s Great: Aspen hosts end-of-season events like music festivals or outdoor concerts that add to the excitement.

4. Palisades Tahoe, California

• 6,000 Skiable Acres
• 400″ Annual Snowfall
• 2,500 ft Vertical Drop
• 1 hour from Reno International Airport (RNO)
• Best Place to Stay: The Village at Palisades Tahoe

Formerly Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Palisades Tahoe has two ski areas often boasts some of the best spring snow on the West Coast. Warm sunny days, soft snow, and a wide range of terrain between the two areas make this one of the largest ski resorts in the United States a great resort for spring skiing.

• Spring Visitor Tip: Follow the sun across the resort. Palisades is known to hold the corn snow well into May.
• Why It’s Great: It offers a dual-mountain experience with plenty of trails for skiers of all levels and the chance to enjoy a relaxed spring atmosphere.

3. Winter Park, Colorado

• 3,081 Skiable Acres
• 345″ Annual Snowfall
• 3,060 ft Vertical Drop
• 1 hour and 40-minute drive from Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Best Place to Stay: Zephyr Mountain Lodge

Known for its family-friendly vibe, Winter Park combines higher elevation with quiet slopes, making it an excellent choice for an affordable spring getaway.

• Spring Visitor Tip: Located under 2 hours from Denver, it’s an easy trip as most major airports have cheap flights into Denver.
• Why It’s Great: The snow stays fresh well into April, and there are great off-slope activities like snowshoeing or snow tubing.

2. Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

• 1,428 Skiable Acres
• 350″ Annual Snowfall
• 2,530 ft Vertical Drop
• 1 hour 30-minute drive from Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Best Place to Stay: River Run Village

Arapahoe Basin, affectionately called “A-Basin”, is legendary for pushing the ski season well into early summer. Its high elevation preserves snow quality like few others and it has some of the most intense terrain in Colorado.

• Spring Visitor Tip: Pack a grill and stake out your spot at “The Beach” parking lot for the perfect snow-day barbecue.
• Why It’s Great: A-Basin is a haven for die-hard skiers who love day-long runs paired with grilling and chilling at “The Beach.”

1. Snowbird & Alta, Utah

• 2,500/2,614 Skiable Acres
• 500+” Annual Snowfall
• 3,240/2,538 ft Vertical Drop
• 45 minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
• Best Place to Stay: Cliff Lodge & Spa

Tied at the top of the list are Snowbird and Alta, in Utah’s Wasatch Range. These resorts are attached at the hip, literally, connected by ski runs and boast some of the best spring snow conditions in North America, with consistent storms that often extend the season.

Note that Alta Ski Area is Ski Only, Snowboarders are not allowed.

• Spring Visitor Tip: Take advantage of multi-resort passes to enjoy both mountains during your stay.
• Why It’s Great: Snowbird offers a modern vibe with hearty après-ski scenes, while Alta appeals to traditionalists who love a no-frills, skier-only experience.
• Spring Story: In April 2002, 5+ feet of snow dumped on Alta, reopening it late in the season for one of the most extraordinary spring skiing experiences in history.

Contact Skizi

Spring skiing offers countless reasons to hit the slopes—from warming temps and discounted lift tickets to the unmatched serenity of quiet trails. Take advantage of this season to explore quieter slopes, snag epic discounts, and enjoy unique experiences that winter skiing can’t offer.

Let us create the ultimate trip for you! From lodging and flights to lift tickets, transportation, and activities, we handle all the details—at no extra cost to you.

Send in a Trip Intake Form for a custom itinerary or Book online to start planning your ski getaway today!

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