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, according to the OpenSnow 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.
March 31: Buttermilk
April 7: Aspen Highlands, Cooper, Crested Butte, Keystone, Powderhorn
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April 14: Beaver Creek, Eldora, Monarch, Snowmass, Silverton. NOTE: Purgatory ends daily operation but will remain open on weekends through April 28
April 21: Aspen, Steamboat, Vail
April 28: Copper Mountain (Purgatory weekend operations end)
May 12: Loveland
As long as snow lasts: Breckenridge, Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin. Last year, Breckenridge closed on May 21, Winter Park on May 29 and A-Basin on June 4.