Whether you’re a ski bunny or ride with the eye — and presumably, blood — of the tiger, the end of March is designed to bring out the party animals in Colorado ski country.
Completion of the lion-to-lamb transition notwithstanding, a late Easter is keeping the chairlifts spinning well into April at many ski areas statewide. And while the spring snow can be fickle, there are distractions aplenty on the side.
Colorado skiers and riders recognize April “locals’ month.” Powder appetites have been satisfied by four months of winter, the spring-break crowds thin to manageable numbers and late-day sun encourages afternoon lounging. And then there are the deals.
Since April also is largely the forgotten month among those at lower elevations (yes, Denver, 5,280 is low by A-Basin standards), resorts use cheap(er) skiing, lodging packages, free concerts and festivals to jostle the memory.
It’s marketed as a “celebration of the season,” and that’s appropriate enough. Especially in a season such as this one, where snow has been plentiful at most mountains. Yes, the base is in place. Now it’s time to add some drums and guitar to the mix.
Arapahoe Basin. The Spring 3-Pass ticket includes three days on the slopes for the price of two ($138), and it’s on sale through April 17. Live Music Fridays fall in that window, with free shows this Friday and April 8. The 22nd annual Enduro race is a ski/party marathon on April 13.
Aspen/Snowmass. Aspen Mountain’s Silver Queen Gondola and Ajax Express will remain open until 6 p.m. Friday, while the Village Express, Coney Glade and Big Burn chairlifts at Snowmass will stay open until 6:30 p.m., as will the terrain park. Aspen Highlands will extend hours on April 16, including access to Highland Bowl until 5 p.m. “Late arrival” lift tickets are $44 after 2:30 p.m. on sunset skiing days.
Beaver Creek. The Vintage Ski Festival and Race returns April 16. Break out your skinny skis and “classic” sweaters.
Breckenridge. “Spring Fever” officially gets underway this weekend (through April 17) with live concerts at the base of Peak 8 every Saturday and Sunday, beginning with the Flobots and Cornmeal. The Wailers and Ozomatli follow April 9-10. Jibbers will revel in the “(Chair) 5 ’til 5” Terrain Park Happy Hour every Thursday starting April 7, with free DJ, food, swag and a video contest. The Spring Beer Festival hits April 9, followed by a couple of major ski mountaineering races April 9 and 16.
Copper Mountain. Copper’s “Sunsation” is a bit like pop art, combining live music from the Gin Blossoms, Quiet Riot, The Samples and more with the Red Bull 1976 Games on April 16-17, a world-record attempt for the most people to apply sunscreen at once April 23 and a family-friendly Easter celebration April 24. All of it highlighted by lodging discounts of 55 percent and $49 lift tickets.
Crested Butte. The 43rd annual Flauschink Festival beginning Thursday is a riotous season finale designed to flush out winter and celebrate spring before shutting down for the season Sunday.
Echo Mountain. Celebrate spring skiing and shredding with $5 Friday night lift tickets through April 15. Last Park Standing is their signature spring event April 30.
Keystone. Check out Robert Earl Keen in concert for free April 9, complete with a kids’ game zone to keep the grommets entertained while you act like proper adults.
Loveland. New Belgium Brewery’s Scavenger Hunt this Saturday is about as silly as it sounds. Other worthwhile wastes of time include the Loveland Poker Run, April 9, and the Corn Harvest Benefit Ski Party, April 30.
Monarch. Do yourself a favor and simply stand at the base with an adult beverage in your hand at Saturday’s annual Kayaks on Snow race. It’s safer, and it’s good practice for the Parking Lot Cook-Off and Tailgate Party on April 10. In between, Monarch is offering free lift tickets on Monday (really) to say both “thanks” and “you are welcome.” Just donate a nonperishable food item.
Purgatory. Beach Bash Blowout packages start at $85 per person for two-day lift tickets and slopeside lodging at this weekend’s season finale. Activities include a craft beer festival, kids’ carnival, live music, a snow-mountain bike race and more.
Steamboat. The $99 Springalicious 4-Pass is good for any four days until closing day, April 10. The ‘Boat will be rockin’ with free shows from Los Lonely Boys on Saturday and The Wailers on April 10.
Silverton. Unguided skiing returns to the big mountain on weekends beginning Friday through April 17.
Telluride. The end-of-season bash begins with the KOTO Street Dance downtown Friday at 2:30 p.m. and wraps up on the mountain Sunday at 5 p.m.
Vail. Beginning with the Vail Film Festival, Thursday through Sunday, and continuing through the World Pond Skimming Championships on April 24, the big resort will be bumpin’ all month. Other highlights include Taste of Vail, April 7-9, and a monstrous Spring Back to Vail weekend concert lineup featuring Train, Greyboy Allstars, Stephen Marley and Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, among others, beginning April 15. Skiers can hit all the Vail resorts (Summit too) as often as they like from April 10-24 for $199 (with seven-day advance purchase).
Winter Park. Monday kicks off the Spring Ski Free lodging and lift ticket package, featuring two free lift tickets with each night booked (two-night minimum). It’s perfect timing for Spring Blast, featuring live music in the Plaza on April 16-17 and 23-24. The Coca-Cola Spring Splash takes pond skimming to another level on closing day, April 24.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
