Pebble1011

My boyfriend and I are headed to Colorado for some spring skiing. We could use some advice....What are the benefits/negatives to spring skiing at either A-basin or Loveland? Where can we get reasonable rental skies?

Thanks for the help!

Gretchen

When is your "spring"?

Pebble1011

May 13-15, 2011.

martym

I checked Loveland's website and they posted that closing day is May 8. Arapahoe Basin is usually open much later (i.e.,as long as they have snow).

Pebble1011

Thanks for scoping out Loveland...I must have missed it.

Are there any rentals close to Arapahoe Basin that have good prices? Has anyone been skiing at A-Basin in May? Is it fun?

fmpden

For all practical purposes the ski season and spring skiing closed this past weekend when all the major ski areas closed. Because we have had record amounts of snowfall this winter, Loveland is staying open through May 8. It depends on weather how long A Basin stays open. The same for the ski rentals. Most will have converted to summer furniture by end of next week. I am sure that rentals will be available at the base at A Basin when they are open.

I have skied in mid May at A Basin. It is interesting. The early morning was solid ice with lots of grooves. You just hope that the groove you chose matchs your ability. By mid morning or so the ice soften to a mushy consistency that wasn't too bad. By mid afternoon it was closer to water skiing with huge rooster tails. Don't fall, you will be soaked. However, the sun and beer is terrific.

tomfuller

If Colorado doesn't work out for you, Mt. Bachelor in Oregon will have good skiing until Memorial Day. Bend is a good beer town as well.

furledleader

I'm 99% sure that A-Basin will still be open at that time. They've had a ton of snow. The conditions will be much as fmpden has described. Early in the morning it will be icy everywhere.... even where they groomed the night before because they groomed wet snow and it freezes during the night. As the day progresses the snow will soften up from the sun and increasing temps. The softening will start at the base area and work its way up the mountain. It will change in consistency from ice, to sugar, to mashed potatoes.

Un-groomed areas early in the morning can be a virtual mine field of large, hard icy chunks of snow that IMO are just downright dangerous to try to ski through until they have softened up. Unless there has been a 6 inch snowfall during the night, stay on the groomed stuff until later in the day.

Coverage will be deteriorating on the steeper, ungroomed runs as snow is worn away by the sun and temps and skiers..... and rocks, stumps and ever-growing patches of bare ground are exposed.

Part of the fun of skiing at A-Basin during this time is tailgating at lunchtime along the "beach" - that first row of parking spaces that faces the ski hill. People bring their grills, folding chairs and coolers and soak up the sun as they grill burgers and brats....or just chow down on sandwiches and munchies they brought along. Get there before the lifts open if you want a parking spot right on the beach. Beach parking closest to the lodge is by reservation only. Further from the lodge area it becomes first-come, first-served.

tomfuller

The event of the spring for Bend Oregon May 21, 2011-PPP
Pole Pedal Paddle http://www.pppbend.com/

Start on the snow of Mt. Bachelor, ride a bike back to Bend and paddle a kayak on the Deschutes River.
It has been going on every spring for over 30 years now.