lvk

We are thinking of combining a college tour in Boulder with a few days of skiing/boarding during spring break, which for us in 2010, is the first full week in April. I looked up these stats - http://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/colohist.htm According to this, it looks like there will still be pretty good snow at places like Breckenridge. We are just starting our research. We were thinking of Vail/BC or Breckenridge, but would be open to other suggestions and insight from anyone who skis this late in the season.

Thanks!

lvk

ttt^

historytraveler

You'll probably be okay, but there are never any guarantees with snow predictions. You might also want to consider A- Basin which always stays open later than any of the other resorts. Be aware that spring conditions seldom mean good powder conditions. The best skiing is mid-late morning and early afternoon. It'll be icy early morning and slushy mid-late afternoon.

christy1

April was fabulous this year in Summit County. Much better than in March when we went, when it didn't snow for weeks (then it DUMPED in April). But of course you never know from year to year...I think the chart you have is your most reliable source of info.

Gretchen

You should be able to have pretty good snow. We have been there when it got pretty mushy at the bottom of the mountain by late day as the temps rose. Ooops. See that was covered above too.

the_scarecrow_in_oz

You should be fine at any of the big resorts at that time of year. You could get dumped on with 15 inches of fresh snow; or you could have a week of sunny springtime conditions (icy morning, slushy late afternoon). No resort has any better chance of having one or the other than any other resort. What all of them WILL have though, is better snow at the top of the mountain than at the bottom.

Prices start to drop for various things at that time too. Check resort web pages to see when their lift ticket prices change.

christy1

Well, that's not actually true. Elevation and whether a resort faces north or south make a HUGE difference for spring skiing. There are no guarantees but there are Colorado resorts that are usually good for spring skiing (A Basin, Copper), and Colorado resorts that are very bad bets for spring skiing (like Steamboat).

tekwriter

Well, if you're travelling to Boulder anyway, it would be very feasible to just wait until you get here to decide whether to spend the money and time to go skiing! I can't imagine you wouldn't be able to find great deals on lodging at the last minute. April is not high season! Chances are, the conditions somewhere will be good enough to make it worth your while, but I wouldn't commit big bucks on non-refundable deposits this far out. If you fly on Southwest Airlines, their tickets are completely changeable at no additional fee. Something to keep in mind.

Gretchen

I was going to mention Steamboat also, but I think (without checking) it is an appreciably lower elevation, isn't it?

sylvia3

Ditto A-Basin; you'll have good snow at that time (I've skied there the 4th of July; slushy, but fun). You can hop there easily if you are staying in Keystone or Breckenridge (its worth it just for a change of slopes, and it will be a cheaper lift ticket).

Don't forget to get your tickets at a reduced price at a King Soopers grocery.

the_scarecrow_in_oz

christy,

I agree, and stand corrected.

Everything being equal, you are better off finding good spring snow at places like A-Basin (which faces north) than at Telluride or Steamboat (both of which face primarily west). Yet...a spring storm can come through Colorado and dump 20 inches of snow on Telluride or Steamboat while giving A-Basin nothing at all.

Or visa versa.

Gretchen,

Downtown Steamboat Springs is at an elevation of 6,695 feet. The base of its ski area is at 6,900 feet, and it's summit (Mt Warner) is at 10,568 feet. The base area at A-Basin is at 10,780 feet (over 200 feet higher than Steamboats SUMMIT!!), and A-Basin's summit is at an amazing 13,050 feet!

And the view at the top of A-Basin is awesome!

Gretchen

Plenty high enough and a nice town. We've never skiied there, but visited in the summer. Thanks for the correct stats. I had no illusions about A-Basin being higher and better.

lvk

Thanks, all. This is the exact type of info. that I was looking for. A-Basin looks like a winner. Any comments on Vail/BC?

fmpden

Let me toss some cold water. You are going coming the week after Easter. Easter weekend (April 4th) and the weekend after is the historical closing for most of the ski areas. The ski resorts hate it when Easter comes early but it is mostly psychological since front range skiers do not ski after Easter. So there is the possibility of some of the areas will be closed by that week especially if the forecast for snow conditions is marginal.

Second, the probability of good skiing conditions will be low. Granted last year's April was terrific but that was unusual and there have been a couple of other Aprils but don't count on it. A-Basin does last the longest but rarely lasts pass the end of May. And it is a very small ski area and fairly demanding especially under poor conditions. When it has been open on the 4th it is more the novelty rather than the skiing.

As someone, don't make any advance commitments and play it by ear when you get here. The great advantage will be no lift lines.

starrs

Go right now! GREAT snow!