It’s way too early to make reliable predictions about prospects for late-spring skiing in Colorado because, while more snow this month and next could add to base depths that look encouraging, warm temperatures could make them dwindle in a hurry.
Still, for Winter Park skiers and riders hoping to ski until Memorial Day again, there is reason to be optimistic. As of March 12, Winter Park’s base stands 12% above normal, reporting and forecasting service. Nearby Berthoud Pass is 15% above normal and, just down the road, the Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic area is 11% above normal.
In addition to Winter Park, three other resorts — Vail, Beaver Creek and Steamboat — have base depths that are 10% to 15% above normal. Others showing above-normal bases include Monarch, Crested Butte, Breckenridge and Echo Mountain.
Eleven areas have bases standing at 90% to 99% percent of normal: Snowmass, Granby Ranch, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain, Cooper, Powderhorn, Eldora, Copper Mountain and Aspen Highlands.
According to the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service, March precipitation in Colorado should be above average, while temperatures should be near normal. Its three-month outlook says there are “equal” chances of above- or below-normal temperatures and precipitation.
Below is a list of projected closing dates for Colorado resorts. Keep in mind that while some are firm dates, others could be adjusted depending on how their slopes hold up.
May 12: Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Loveland
As long as snow lasts: Winter Park and Arapahoe Basin. Last year, Winter Park closed on May 29 and A-Basin on June 4.
Closed: Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, Cooper, Crested Butte, Keystone, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Telluride, Wolf Creek, Beaver Creek, Snowmass, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Aspen, Steamboat, Vail, Monarch.
