With the arrival of March, the time has come to start planning spring skiing trips. Good conditions may be in the offing, thanks to normal and above normal snowfall across much of the state.
As of March 3, half of the state’s ski areas have average or above average base depths. They are Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Cooper, Copper Mountain, Echo, Eldora, Granby, Keystone, Loveland, Monarch, Steamboat and Winter Park. Vail stands at 95% of normal and Crested Butte 92%.
The Aspen areas are at 74-82% of normal while southern Colorado ski areas are hurting. Wolf Creek is at 48%, Purgatory 47%.
March can be a very snowy month, though, so it would be wise to follow storm systems.
Here is a list of projected closing dates, confirmed by contact with each resort for the latest schedule. All are subject to change depending on the weather. Some may extend beyond these dates; others may close earlier than scheduled. The Denver Post will update this list as announcements are made.
April 20: Aspen Mountain, Eldora, Snowmass, Steamboat, Vail
April 27: Purgatory, Winter Park. (Winter Park’s Mary Jane complex will remain open as long as conditions permit, however. Last year that came on May 28)
May 11: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Loveland
Arapahoe Basin: As usual, A-Basin plans to stay open as long as conditions permit
Closed: Granby Ranch, Buttermilk, Crested Butte, Keystone, Powderhorn, Sunlight, Telluride, Wolf Creek, Aspen Highlands, Beaver Creek, Ski Cooper, Monarch, Silverton
