Best Bets for Spring Skiing

Today is March 02, and as I gaze outdoors it’s 20 degrees and snowing, hard. Last night they got a huge thunder snowstorm that produced 9 inches of fresh up the road in Aspen. But yesterday, it was 54 degrees and sunny in Snowmass. Tomorrow, who knows – more snow, but warmer Tuesday. So what is this all about? Springtime.



Changeable weather patterns have arrived in the Rockies. And that means many beautiful, if unpredictable ski days ahead. Snow one day, suntan weather then next. So pack the sunscreen and come on out. Just keep in mind that planning a ski trip between now and the end of the season is all a matter of laid back attitude, proper latitude and base elevation.



To assist you in making that Spring Skiing Reservation, here are a few of the best bets on where to find great snow and good time between now and the last turns of the year …



Copper, Keystone or Breckenridge, Colorado – That’s right, all three of the “Summit County” resorts are a very good bet for late season snow. And don’t forget A Basin, just up the street from Keystone. They often ski past Memorial Day at this late season classic. Plus, if you book Summit County after say April 05th, you are going to get a great package deal from Rocky Mountain Vacations, guaranteed. So why select Summit County? I mean, there are places that get more snow overall, right?



Reason This Area Works For You: Elevation. Each one of these favorites has a base elevation over 9,200 feet. Copper has the highest base elevation of the three, at just over 9,700 feet. That’s well above mid mountain at many resorts, and near the peak of a few. So, it’s realistic to say that April in say Breckenridge is like March in say Park City or Sun Valley.



Where best to lodge? I like Main Street Station in Breckenridge. This condominium / retail development is well located near the base lifts, but also adjacent to historic and hopping downtown Breck. Units and large and very comfortable, and the staff generally well trained. If it’s just two of you and all you want to do is ski, who cares about night life, then opt for Tamarack at Copper Mountain. This is an older building adjacent to the new fancy Village units, but the studios here are unusually large and the walk to the lift is maybe 6 minutes tops. The springtime rates here are quite reasonable too.



Banff / Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada – Here is a really special treat for Spring Skiing. Book a trip with Ski Org to the Canadian Rockies, and see what ‘changes in latitude’ is all about for US skiers and boarders. This is big mountain skiing in a foreign country (where they actually like us) in one of their National Parks no less. So everything is pristine, beautiful, and well, a little different. Interesting, ‘eh?.



Oh, I almost forgot. The scenery all over this region is about as dramatic as it gets. Order a drink at the ‘window bar’ at the Chateau Lake Louise and you will see what I mean.



There are two really great ski mountains in this overall region, Sunshine and Lake Louise – and maybe three. Marmot Basin at Jasper might be equally good in it’s own right. Not sure, so I am going up there next week to check it out.



Reason This Area Works For You: While the elevation is not very high (base elevation is typically about 5,500 feet) you are way up north - well north of all US skiing except Alaska. And moreover, you are well inland, almost a thousand miles from the Pacific. So winter lingers here, even as the sunshine extends well past the last run of the day.



Where to Lodge? That’s easy. Take three nights at the Chateau Lake Louise and then two nights at the Banff Springs. These are Fairmont ‘castles’ in every good sense of the word. Lodging here is a once in a lifetime experience. And in April, these posh, historic hotels are quite affordable – at least the rooms are. You can always dine out a night or two while in Banff and save some on meals . But you have to stay here once, and April is the month to do so, no matter your budget.



Interested in more Springtime Best Bets? Then stay tuned, because there are a dozen in total.

Labels: Spring Skiing

posted by Mr. Ski Organizer @ 8:14 AM