It’s that bittersweet time of year again (mainly bitter) when the ski season winds down for the final splashdown at Colorado’s ski areas. With no snow in the forecast, excepting a slight chance Monday night, you best get out before it’s too late.
If you do nothing else ski-wise for the remainder of the spring, you ought to at least make plans for one or more of the events listed below at Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) ski areas. Special thanks, once again, to CSCUSA for compiling the list below, to which we just did some minor editing.
CSCUSA, by the way, represents all of Colorado’s ski areas excepting the Vail Resorts (Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail). More on those resorts soon. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know for end-of-season events and deals at the CSCUSA ski areas…
Events
Now until April 1, Winter Park Resort, The Championships: Read all about it at this link, or go to http://www.winterparkresort.com/events-and-activities/events-calendar/march/. The 10-day celebration will include the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships, the Return of the Champions Family Challenge team race and U.S. Ski Team reunion, the U.S. Ski Team Pro-Am Team Competition and the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships. Recreational racers and fans of the sport will have the opportunity to meet, race and compete with current and former U.S. Ski Team athletes. There will be live music, Warren Miller film screenings, parties, sponsor demos, race video and more. The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships will include Men’s Women’s slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G.
Today at Eldora and March 31 at Loveland Ski Area: Eldora and Loveland are hosting this year’s New Belgium Scavenger Hunt, which is a day for guests to don their best costume, chase chickens, search for bigfoot and answer ridiculous riddles all while skiing, raising money for a great local non-profit, and bonding with friends. In addition, guests are invited to grab a buddy or three, bring $10 per person and their ski passes, or purchase a lift ticket, and join the fleet of New Belgium characters on the slopes for a Scavenger Hunt. For more information visit www.newbelgium.com/hunt
Today and Sunday, Sunlight: Sunlight features its Spring Thing this weekend, a unique event with two hot tubs bubbling at the base of the area, with jumps and rails overhead. Pro riders will show off their skills by jumping over the hot tubs while guests relax and take in the show. This will be complemented by live music, drink specials and a Spring Celebration.
Today and April 7, Wolf Creek: Wolf Creek will host Mens’ and Ladies’ Ski and Board Clinics. Lift tickets and two hour group lessons for any ability level are $63. Also happening on both of these dates is a Senior Ski and Board Clinic, which features a lift ticket and two hour morning lesson for any ability for $49. Lastly, the Telemark Clinic takes place on March 24 and April 1, with lift tickets and a two hour morning lesson for any ability for $63. More information on these events can be found at www.wolfcreekski.com/wolf-creek-event-calendar.php.
March 31, Echo Mountain: Echo’s version of the Wild West happens on Saturday, March 31 at the Scion Verizon Wireless Echo Mountain Roundup. Guests are invited to bust out their boots, hats and Western garb as Denver’s closest ski and snowboard area transforms into the Old West. Scheduled activities include Scion’s Design Your Own Snowboard Contest, a Lil’ Wranglers Rail Jam, High Rollers Rail Jam, costume and eating contests, a mechanical bull, Rocky Mountain Chili Bowl snowboard giveaway, Moe’s Original BBQ, and more. For details, visit www.echomt.com.
April 1, Powderhorn: Closing Day at Powderhorn features the Pond Skim Beach Party and Pineapple Crackers band. The resort also features a $99 lift and lodging special based on double occupancy. More information can be found atwww.powderhorn.com/lift-and-lodging-packages.
April 1-15, Steamboat: In celebration of spring, Steamboat is hosting Springalicious, which offers a boatload of Springalicious festivities. The two-week long festival begins April 1 and includes free concerts from Keller Williams and JJ Grey Mofro, the 32nd Annual Cardboard Classic, the 5th annual Splashdown Pond Skim and more. Find out all the details at www.steamboat.com/springalicious.
April 1, April 13, April 14-15, April 27, April 28, Loveland: April’s a busy month at Loveland, with the ‘80s Party Retro Day on April Fool’s Day; the Vitamin Water Snow Day on Friday the 13th; America’s largest amateur ski race, the 51st Annual Loveland Derby on the weekend of April 14-15; Pop Chips Share the Love event on April 27; and the Corn Harvest Benefit Ski Party on April 28 (more on that below). Go to Loveland’s event calendar at www.skiloveland.com/events/April.aspx to find out more about each event.
April 7-8, Monarch: Monarch’s signature event, the 7th Annual Kayaks on Snow, is back once again. Contestants race head to head, similar to Skier Cross, down a specially designed course featuring berms, banks, and bumps, ending in an icy pond. This event is as fun to watch as it is to race. Sponsors will be on hand to provide plenty of stoke for this unique event, including Mountain Khakis, Bolle, Colorado Kayak Supply, Camelbak, Cliff Bar/Aquaphor and The North Face. For more information and registration, call 888-996-7669 x5050.
April 7-8, Ski Granby Ranch (formerly SolVista Basin): The resort winds down the season with its annual Spring Splash on Saturday, April 7, and ends with special Easter activities on Sunday, April 8. On both days that weekend, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., children’s lift tickets to ski or ride with the Easter Bunny are just $49. Guests can reserve their children’s spot with the Children’s Center Ski/Ride by calling 888-850-4615. On Sunday, April 8, it’s skiing as usual, and there will be a children’s Easter egg hunt. There will also be an Easter Brunch with the Easter Bunny at Granby Ranch’s Seven Trails Grille. Guests are invited to reserve a table for the special Easter Brunch by calling 970-887-5200.
Easter Sunday, April 8, Arapahoe Basin: The Beach’n Egg Hunt is on again this year at Arapahoe Basin. The Easter Bunny and Chicken visit the area for an Easter Egg Hunt on skis. Both skiing and non-skiing children can participate. The Easter Bunny arrives at noon just outside the Snowsports Center. The free egg hunts take place on Molly Hogan for guests who do not ski and on Wrangler for those that do ski.
April 8, Silverton: Silverton celebrates spring on the mountain with this year’s BrewSki. The theme for 2012 is a Preppy Party. Guests are encouraged to bring their croquet sets, argyle and cheese and crackers, as they enjoy spring skiing while sipping local microbrews. Past refreshments have been provided by Ska, Three Rivers, Carvers, Steamworks, Silverton and Durango breweries. Entrance to BrewSki is $15, or $12 with a lift ticket purchase or Silverton Mountain season pass holders. Book online www.silvertonmountain.com, or call 970-387-5706.
April 14-15, Copper Mountain: Sunsation returns to Copper Mountain. The free event kicks off on Saturday, April 14 with the first-ever CopperMan event, an obstacle course that will put ice in contestant’s veins and finish with an end line celebration to put warmth in their hearts. Then, on Sunday, April 15 at noon Copper and Woodward at Copper will host the inaugural Slopesoakers: Floating Rail Jam. Positioned in front of Jill’s deck, the pond will have a rail floating on top of inner tubes, creating a unique spin on the traditional pond skim. The event is free, and guests are encouraged to come and watch some of the best athletes get soaked. Throughout the weekend, live music will feature from Pata Banton, Michal Menert, the Spazmatcis, and an all-female tribute Lez Zepplin. For more information, guests can visit www.coppersunsation.com.
April 21, Arapahoe Basin: The ski area will be hosting The Spyder Grind, an uphill, downhill adventure race designed to introduce new participants to backcountry skiing as well as challenge veteran skiers. Races are modeled after European randonee events with competitors beginning on foot and running to clip into their skis. Athletes skin uphill on a challenging course and race down to the finish. The race category vertical is approximately 4,500 feet, while the recreational category is 2,000 feet. Full details about Arapahoe Basin’s events can be found at www.arapahoebasin.com/events.
April 28, Loveland: Loveland Ski Area will host the 11th Annual Corn Harvest Benefit Ski Party for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). This event is more than just a benefit; it’s a good time with both old and new friends at Loveland Ski Area. Guests are invited to meet and ski with folks from CAIC to show their support for their efforts to help us all stay safe. Hawaiian shirts are encouraged and registration includes lunch, raffle tickets for great gear and prizes, beer from New Belgium, and live music on the patio at the end of the day. This is the ultimate experience to enjoy a great day of spring skiing with friends while giving back to a great cause. For more information on this events and other April events at Loveland visit www.skiloveland.com/events/April.aspx
Deals/Packages
Crested Butte: The Elevation Hotel and Spa is offering a last minute end of season promotion; buy one night of lodging and get the second night free. Guests can stay one night and get the second free, stay a third night and get a fourth free. This deal continues with every second night free. The offer is good for travel between now and April 7 and cannot be combined with any other offer. Resort fees and taxes are not included. For more information or to reserve online visit www.skicb.com/bogo or call Crested Butte Vacations at 800-600-2803.
Durango Mountain Resort: The whole family can enjoy spring skiing at Durango Mountain Resort with its Spring Stay Ski Packages, starting at $249 per night. Complemented by fun events for the entire family, the resort will feature live music, zip lining, tubing, fantastic skiing and riding conditions and incredible sunny days. The $249 per family, per night package is based on a family of two adults and two children (6-12 years). There is a slightly higher price for teens. This offer is valid on new reservations only and not valid with other offers or discounts. For more information, details and reservations, call 800-525-0892.