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.
Arapahoe Basin: Staying open as long as possible, conditions permitting
Aspen Highlands: April 13
Aspen Mountain: April 20
Beaver Creek: April 13
Breckenridge: May 11
Buttermilk: April 6
Cooper: April 13
Copper Mountain: May 11
Crested Butte: April 6
Echo Mountain: TBD
Eldora: April 20
Granby Ranch: March 30
Keystone: April 6
Loveland: May 11, conditions permitting
Monarch: April 6
Powderhorn: April 6
Purgatory: Open daily through April 13; plus weekends through April 27
Silverton: April 13
Snowmass: April 20
Steamboat: April 20
Sunlight: TBD
Telluride: April 6
Vail: April 20
Winter Park: April 27; Mary Jane will remain open as long as conditions allow. That happened May 28 last year
Wolf Creek: April 6