It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. . . Spring Snow & Skiing!

Although we’re just days past Mother’s Day, some of the country’s experiencing Christmas-like snow. This doesn’t dampen a skier’s spring but instead evokes the hope of getting even more runs in this season.

For inquiring skiers that may be so inspired, we’ve put together a run-down on some areas that are accessible for late and extended season snow skiing. Be sure to check the area websites before heading up, as some of the resort terrain and services fluctuate daily depending on what Mother Nature delivers.

Spring Snow Skiing

Out East, Killington is still going with the announcement of another weekend planned. Although closing is anticipated this Sunday, they claim they’ll remain open until “the snow’s no more” so stay tuned.

Mammoth in California is gearing for a Memorial Day finish. They’re one of few California resorts that have stayed open until July 4th, and they’ve outlasted some colder areas by stretching their ski season into August.

Mt. Bachelor in Oregon is planning to go out with a bang during their Big Finale Weekend on May 25 and 26 with their pond skimming competition, brew festival and a spring music concert.

In Utah, Snowbird will keep skiing going Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until May 27.

Summer Snow Skiing

With a fresh 17’’ of snow in the mountains of Colorado this week, Arapahoe Basin is preparing to keep their lifts running every day through June 1 with rumors they’ll extend again to July 4th. They’ve already extended their original closing for a bonus weekend Friday, Saturday, & Sunday June 6-8, 2014 so keep checking.

Timberline in Mt. Hood, Oregon offers nearly year-round skiing each year and usually the longest season in North America. Although the summer ski area is used mostly for race camps, they provide at least one lane daily for public use. They remain open daily almost every month after a good snow year, except in September when they temporarily close for maintenance.

Whistler Blackcomb, in British Columbia, offers summer skiing each year on the Horstman Glacier for three hours daily from mid-June to late July. The resort opens to their lifts snow-hungry Summer Glacier campers this year on June 22 through July 28th, 2014.

*Update* Beartooth Basin in Montana — formerly a private ski and snowboard training camp — is set to open to the public next week.  Season, daily, half-day and “power hour” passes are available for daily summer skiing, weather permitting, through July 8.  This gem of a Montana area offers 600 acres of skiing terrain and is one of the oldest Alpine training areas in the West,  touted by it’s management as “back-country skiing with a lift.”  If you like a crowd, they’ll be hosting an IFSA Junior Big Mountain Competition on June 14 & 15.

There you have it, 11 months of skiing to satisfy your snow cravings! If that doesn’t do it, grab your gear and head to the Southern Hemisphere because with a winter season that’s an antipode to ours, they’re just getting started.

Which late spring and summer ski areas have you enjoyed?