The ski season in Colorado is not over yet. Here’s what opened in May.

On By Vaseline

Avid skiers and riders will tell you that spring can be the best time to hit the slopes in Colorado. And there are still five ski areas open. Some of them don’t plan to close anytime soon.

Arapahoe Basin

Arapahoe Basin has not yet decided when it will close. North America’s highest-altitude ski resort plans to stay open “as long as the snow remains,” says communications manager Shayna Silverman. In Arapahoe Basin, almost all of the terrain is open, except for the steep gullies. Alan Henceroth, who writes “Al’s Blog,” says the Upper East Wall is at its peak and more snow will fall. “Abay” plans events every weekend in May with live music every Saturday.

Ian Zinner


Snow N’ Throw: May 5

Slush N’ Spokes: May 11

Gay Basin: Ski & Ride with Pride: May 18-19

Alpine Rallye Avant Le Ski: May 25

Brewpub Festival: May 26

Watch out for thunder. Spring weather conditions could force lift operators to close the lifts, according to Silverman.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is the only Vail Resort still open in Colorado. It has Peak 7, parts of Peak 6 and the T-bar open.

Sarah Mclear of Breckenridge Ski Resort says, “It’s still a lot of fun in May.” “We’re going to see how far we can go,” she says. Your best bet for accessing the entire site is from Peak 7 and the Independence chairlift. Mclear says, “It still feels like winter here.”

Copper mountain

Copper Mountain has extended its season with a May 12 closure. According to Colorado Ski Country USA, the state’s nonprofit trade association, the lift is now only accessible from East and Center Villages. Much of Copper Mountain is still covered in snow.

Loveland Ski Area

Don’t feel like driving up the mountain? Head to Loveland Ski Area on the Snowstang. Bus service is available this weekend. Loveland plans to remain open through May 12. 7 of the 12 lifts are still in use. And it still seems like winter!

Winter Park Ski Resort

Typically this time of year, diehards flock to the Mary Jane side of the Winter Park resort. This year, a number of rides have been opened at the front while the gondola is still in operation. It is best to park in the Mary Jane parking lots. They are free. And it’s less walking. If you catch Mary Jane after a spring snowstorm, you won’t be disappointed. Winter Park has 7″ of new snow in the last 3 days.