Spring skiing isn’t quite over yet! Pack your bag, grab your skis, and book your private jet charter. Learn our top 5 spring skiing destinations.
As summer is quickly approaching, you may feel that it is time to turn your attention to the types of sports you can spend time doing out in the heat—things like beach volleyball, soccer, fishing, and the like.
Nothing is quite as enjoyable as the icy cold wind hitting your face as you swoosh downward on a blue track at your favorite ski resort. The rush you get is something you wish you could experience again and again. If so, you may question whether or not you even have time to get in that last trip down the slopes or if you have to resort to hanging up your skis until next winter.
Good news – it is too early to call it quits just yet. Summer may be here before you know it, but there is still time to get some late-season skiing in.
Here are a few of the best late spring skiing destinations of 2021 – and some tips to make it an unforgettable experience.
Tips for an Unforgettable Spring Skiing Experience
Choose a wider ski. The snow during spring skiing will not be frozen. That means you may want to go for a wider ski that will help you handle these slushy conditions better. Perhaps this is why so many people choose to give snowboarding a try. It is a great time to do so.
Do not skimp on the wax. Again, the slopes are going to be slushy, and they are going to be wet. Wax your skis well before you take that leap. This is the best way to avoid any damage or slipping.
Check your layers. In the middle of winter, you layer up because the temperatures can be brutal. During the late season, however, the sun is hot, and the temperatures are milder. It would help if you layered because you are still dealing with the cold snow, but you do not want to go too overboard to end up a hot, sweaty mess. Find comfortable ski attire that will allow you to stay warm but free from sweat.
Reach your ski resort via a private jet. Many of the great destinations with late spring skiing require a small charter jet to access nearby landing strips or a long ride from the large commercial airport. Remember, time is ticking down to where you will no longer be able to ski until next season. Do not miss a minute on those slopes – a private jet charter gets you as close as possible and as quickly as possible. Of course, it is also an easy way to travel with your ski equipment too.
Ask about the closing date. The weather is always unpredictable, so slopes/resorts may close sooner or later than their stated closing date. Before you book that private jet charter, double-check the closing date.
Now that you know how to make it a great experience, let’s talk about those destinations – here are your best 2021 late spring skiing options:
1. Snowbird, Utah
High elevations can mean significant snowfall late in the season. With an elevation of nearly 8,100 feet, it’s no wonder that Snowbird is known to stay open well into summertime. Independence Day skiing, anyone? Most of the terrain here faces the north, which helps make a case for late-season skiing, too.
The best part of choosing Snowbird is that it is close to Salt Lake City, Utah – which means lots of stuff to do in addition to skiing. You can make this a well-rounded ski trip if you throw in some hiking, hot springs, shopping, and dining.
2. Timberline, Oregon
Located in Mt. Hood, Oregon, the Timberline Lodge has an infamous history. If you’ve seen The Shining, then you have seen this lodge. Well, the exterior, anyway.
Nestled at an elevation of 11,245 feet, you can ski the slopes here year-round – that means through spring and summer. They have over 3,600 vertical feet of slopes for you to enjoy, too.
This family-owned and operated resort on the tallest mountain in Oregon is sure to give you a late-season ski trip for the memory books.
3. Mammoth Mountain, California
Sticking to the west coast, Mammoth Mountain is another high-elevation ski hotspot (at about 11,000 feet) that is open well into the summer months. They have about 3,500 acres available for skiing and excellent conditions for the white stuff well into spring.
As the season starts to wind down, you will find many additional activities to enjoy, too, like bike paths, mountain climbing, golfing, and camping.
4. Killington, Vermont
Believe it or not, Killington has a relatively low elevation – 4,241 feet. But they pile up snow throughout the winter onto their Superstar run that grows and grows as the snowfalls. This is one of the only ski options late in the season located on the east coast.
If you are looking for a spot that will allow you to enjoy skiing without having to head across the country, this is your spot.
5. Alpine Meadows, California
Alpine Meadows ski resort is a little off the beaten path from more well-known options – especially Squaw Valley to the north. This area has a lot of its ski runs above the tree line. And, if you prefer corn snow, you will find it here. It is a forgiving type of snow that can give you the best run. Not everyone knows about it or where to find it (since timing is everything). Alpine Meadows is well-known for it, thanks to its sunny days and nights with plummeting temps.
Spring Skiing: Final Thoughts
From the year-round runs in Timberland to the high elevation of Mammoth Mountain to the corn snow of Alpine Meadows – and everywhere in between – you are sure to find just the right ski resort for you.
If you follow these tips and book your ski time at one of these late-season ski resorts, you are sure to head into summer feeling refreshed.