With over 30 inches of new snow and another 20 inches by next weekend, many Colorado ski resorts have decided to extend their closing day or re-open for one last weekend of powder skiing.

The lower 48 states may be well into spring, but winter just won’t give up in the Rockies. Most Colorado ski resorts have received over a foot of fresh snow in the last 24 to 48 hours, and could receive another 20 inches of new snow by Saturday, April 20. The only problem is that most Colorado ski resorts have already closed for the season. Aspen Highlands and Winter Park are among the few Colorado ski resorts that are still officially open. They were set to close this coming weekend, April 20-21. But this just in: Aspen Highlands, who’s received over 30 inches of snow in last week, recently announced they’d be opening up for a bonus weekend, April 27-28. And in other big ski resort news; both Vail, Breckenridge and Copper  have received over a foot of fresh snow since their closing day on Sunday, April 14, so they too are re-opening  for this coming weekend, April 19-21.

A view of Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands post snow-storm.

While the Colorado Rockies seem to have reaped the most benefit from this spring snow storm, there are still plenty of other ski resorts open. California’s Kirkwood recently announced that they will stick to their initial April 21 closing date, Squaw will also close April 21. Mammoth will be open until Memorial Day thanks to new snow in the Lake Tahoe area. British Columbia’s Whistler Blackcomb has also extended its season until May 27. Utah’s Little Cottonwood resorts−Alta and Snowbird−will also remain open.  Alta has closed for weekday skiing, but will be open April 19-21 and April 26-28. Snowbird will remain open until May 12, and after that they will only open on weekends until a determined closing date based on snow conditions.

So, if the promise of one more day of powder skiing this season is too tempting to pass up, you’ll want to consider booking a last minute ski vacation.

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Vail Closing Day
Thanks to 12 inches of new snow in the last week, Vail’s Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin will be open and skiing great through closing day on April 14. Like its terrain, Vail closing day is big. Vail has been celebrating its 50 years all season long. So, closing weekend will be party to end a year-long party, so to speak.  So, be ready. There are endless après parties all over the base villages, a stacked list of live concerts, including O.A.R., Sublime with Rome and reggae legend Jimmy Cliff,  and of course the World Pond Skimming Championships at Golden Peak. Book your last minute Vail Closing Day vacation.

Breckenridge Closing Day
If the concerts−Matisyahu and Colorado-native band 3OH!3 − don’t convince you to join the ruckus festivities of Breckenridge Closing Weekend, then the fresh 11 inches of powder should. Be sure to cheer on the competitors in the Imperial Challenge, a unique snow triathlon of sorts that includes a six mile bike to the base of Peak 8, and then an ascent to the top of Peak 8, and a descent back to the bottom. Book your last minute Breckenridge Closing Day vacation.

Aspen Mountain & Snowmass Closing Day
With a whopping 14 new inches of snow, Aspen/Snowmass seemed to fare best from this recent storm. Conditions will surely be prime for closing celebrations at both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. For ultimate hilarity, you’ll want to head to Snowmass’ Schneetag−German word for “snow day” event.  Costumed participants perform silly dances before sending themselves and their handmade craft into frigid water. And don’t forget, Aspen Highlands is open until April 21, and with more snow in the forecast, you might want to consider a last minute Aspen ski vacation.

Steamboat Closing Day
Steamboat Springs is renowned as a “snow vortex,” it’s often a Colorado leader in annual snowfall, and this year was no different. Steamboat recently surpassed the 300-inch mark, so closing weekend conditions will certainly deliver. Be sure to check out the silliness of Steamboat’s 33^rd Annual Cardboard Classic. Teams construct cardboard crafts and ride them into a freezing pond. There’s also traditional, costumed pond skim to keep the laughs coming. And don’t miss jamgrass band Missed the Boat, who will be performing on April 13. Book your last minute Steamboat Closing Day vacation.

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No joke: Alta and Solitude received more than a foot of snow on April 1!

An April 1 storm dropped a foot of snow on resorts across Utah, delivering mid-winter conditions and a welcome snow report! Park City Mountain Resort was the big winner with 15 inches, but Alta, Solitude and Canyons all broke the 12-inch mark. There are still a few weeks left to enjoy some spring powder, so check out our ski vacation deals and book your trip today!

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Saturday, February 23rd, was a powder day as Jackson’s season total crested the fabled 300-inch mark. Saturated grey clouds settled over the Tetons throughout the day, and Wyoming’s powder-hungry masses turned out in droves for the awesome day of storm skiing. Everyone was calling it “the deepest powder day of the year,” and the excitement level in the tram was palpable. Here’s a video from Saturday’s action in Jackson:

The snow kept falling all day and overnight on Saturday. Then, as if the weekend couldn’t get any better, the clouds broke as the sun rose on Sunday, February 24th. Blue skies sat overhead, deep snow was underfoot, and Jackson Hole showed everyone on-hand why it is one of the most popular ski resorts to visit in North America.

Blue skies and deep snow. Jeff King samples some of Jackson Hole’s powder on Sunday, February 24th. (Photo: Greg Fitzsimmons)

CLICK HERE if you want to experience skiing in Jackson Hole first-hand, or for more information about the resort.

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Winter Park Ski Resort’s “Mary Jane” from a distance.

Last Friday I had the pleasure of visiting Winter Park Ski Resort for the first time. After reading and hearing about it for the last few years, I knew my one task at hand for the day was to make it over to their famed terrain for bumps and trees: Mary Jane Mountain. After a morning of warming up our legs on fresh powder and a lunch refueling on chili, we headed over to the terrain we had been eyeing all day. With six inches of fresh snow and more falling on us, it was everything I had expected and more. At one point in the afternoon a coworker pointed out that I had been giggling like a school girl over every bump and around every tree.

Every ski resort seems to have at least one iconic run, chute, bowl or section of the mountain that adds to its notoriety in the ski world. Mary Jane has officially been added to my list of favorites. Here are a few more you should add to yours:

Revelation Bowl – Telluride, CO: Relatively new to Telluride (it opened during the 2008/2009 season), north-facing Revelation Bowl is conveniently located off the back side of Gold Hill and Chair 14 and is accessible by a quad lift.

Blue Sky Basin – Vail, CO: As one of Vail’s legendary seven Back Bowls, Blue Sky Basin is seven miles from Vail Village and is the most remote destination at the nation’s largest ski resort. The trek to get there via four different lifts is worth it, however, as skiers and riders enjoy a 645-acre backcountry playground consisting of moguls, groomers, trees, glades and cliffs.

Highland Bowl – Aspen, CO: Located on the peak of Aspen Highlands, this locals’ favorite is left to those willing to earn their turns with a gradual 45-minute hike to its summit. The reward is spectacular views and 2,500-vertical-foot descents down varied terrain including incredible tree skiing and pitches as steep as 45 degrees.

Rendezvous Bowl – Jackson Hole, WY: Located 4,139 feet above the valley floor andaccessed by Jackson Hole’s famous aerial tram, Rendezvous Bowl gives skiers and riders the chance to experience a fairly steep grade and abundant powder stashes after one of Jackson’s many humongous snowfalls.

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Last Friday, a crew of Ski.comers headed up to enjoy the on-mountain goods at our neighbors to the north: Vail. The Annual Vail Ski Day was a huge success with a full day on the mountain, complete with lunch at Two Elks on the edge of their famous Back Bowls and an après-ski session at the Arrabelle at Vail Square.

As a former Vail resident, I always love getting back there and enjoying some of my favorite places and am often contacted by twice-removed family members, friends of friends, and other acquaintances, requesting recommendations on places to eat, drink and be merry in this Colorado playground. During my quick visit last week I was sure to hit up some of my usual haunts and thought I’d share a few of my top experiences should you visit this High Country paradise:

• Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek – keep an eye on their calendar and you could catch an incredible comedy show or world-renowned musician.
• The Osprey Lounge – located in the Osprey at Beaver Creek, a RockResort, this tapas-inspired restaurant may look understated but serves up some of the best concoctions in the valley. Get the tempura asparagus, prosciutto and Gouda…and…well you basically can’t go wrong with any of it.
•  French Deli – located in the heart of Lionshead, Les Delices de France (known to locals simply as the French Deli) is the perfect pit stop to grab a breakfast sandwich before jumping on the gondola.
• Garfinkel’s – also located in Lionshead, Garfinkel’s is, in my humble opinion, the go-to place to après in Vail. An expansive sundeck is the perfect place to enjoy a cold one on a sunny afternoon and if you head there on a Friday, you can have any drink of your choice during “$3 You-Call-Its”.

If you’re looking for more recommendations and insider tips on Vail, Beaver Creek or any other one of your favorite ski destinations, our Mountain Vacation Specialists can share their extensive and intimate knowledge with you. Additionally, you should be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest happenings in Ski Country.

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Have you ever had a “perfect day”? The kind where you wouldn’t change a single thing from the people you were with and the places you went to, to the things you did there? That sentiment seemed to be a theme this past weekend within myself and nearly everyone I came across. One of those days where between the time you put your boots on in the morning and when you finally take them off 10 or so hours later, you experience the full effect of this culture we love. From bluebird skiing and riding on your favorite mountain with a handful of your friends or family members to an outdoor après session in the sun where you reminisce over the turns you just took. My sun-kissed skin, wobby legs and perma-grin were similar to those of the people I encountered along the way over the weekend and I was reminded of that feeling of camaraderie I love about this culture – that feeling of, “Yeah, this is pretty great.” I hope you get a “perfect day” in soon!

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That being said, I’ll take you into the weekend with one of my all-time favorite clips from a ski film. Giving urban skiing a whole new meaning, this clip from 2011′s “All. I. Can.” is famously known as J.P. Auclair’s Street Segment and went viral when it hit social media channels early last season. Warning: it’s nearly impossible to watch this only once.  And…..don’t try this at home:

When you’ve picked your jaws up off the ground, take a look at this behind-the-scenes video, released earlier this week, documenting the creation of this now famous segment.

Enjoy and have a safe and fun weekend, everyone! See you on the slopes!

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The American GFS Weather Model posted this 5 day model for snowfall across North America.  Canadian ski resorts and the Montana, Utah, and Colorado Rockies ski resorts should see some good snowfall if all goes well…

Source:  American GFS Weather Model

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