This may be a controversial statement, but spring is the best time of year for skiing and snowboarding. The days are long, the snow is stable and soft, and resorts (along with the people who visit them) start to loosen up and get a little weird: More bikinis and beers. And That usually culminates into one heck of an on-hill end-of-season party. Here are some of our favorites. Closing Day at Aspen Highlands: April 8
Aspen, a town known for its ability to party, calls Highlands Closing Day “the best party of the year.” Even the Chamber of Commerce recommends you wear a costume. There’s pondskimming, DJs, and a wild daylight dance party. For full-on ski town debauchery it’s not to be missed. Sugarloaf Reggae Fest: April 12-15
Sugarloaf, Maine might not seem the place for a legendary reggae festival, but this year marks the 30th annual Sugarloaf Reggae Fest. Ski the snowfields, get a burger at the Bag, and then noodle your way through the music at the base. Vail Four at Four: April 15
Pond Skimming at Vail. Photo: Vail Resorts Vail’s closing day is always a melee, the official Spring Back to Vail event has involved ski patrollers pondskimming in the past, and the unofficial party culminates at the top of Chair Four, where people gather at 4 p.m. when the lifts close. Expect snowball fights, “shotskis,” figgle races and more. If you want a slightly more low-key vibe, head to Blue Sky Basin at lunch time to grill out. World Ski and Snowboard Festival: April 6-15
The crowd. Photo: WSSF If you’re still charged up from the Olympics, the week-long World Ski and Snowboard Festival at Whistler-Blackcomb combines the best of competitive ski and snowboarding with sunshine, live music, and film/video events. And it doesn’t hurt that Whistler Village is one of the best party towns in Canada … Just sayin’. Killington Norbeaster: April 1-May 1
Wipeout Killington style. photo: Killington Killington’s end-of-season party goes on for weeks. Starting at the beginning of April the mountain hosts events every weekend. They range from rail jams and bump competitions to a last day all-out slalom race on May 1. East Coast debauchery for everyone!
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This may be a controversial statement, but spring is the best time of year for skiing and snowboarding.
The days are long, the snow is stable and soft, and resorts (along with the people who visit them) start to loosen up and get a little weird: More bikinis and beers. And That usually culminates into one heck of an on-hill end-of-season party. Here are some of our favorites.
Closing Day at Aspen Highlands: April 8
Aspen, a town known for its ability to party, calls Highlands Closing Day “the best party of the year.”
Even the Chamber of Commerce recommends you wear a costume. There’s pondskimming, DJs, and a wild daylight dance party. For full-on ski town debauchery it’s not to be missed.
Sugarloaf Reggae Fest: April 12-15
Sugarloaf, Maine might not seem the place for a legendary reggae festival, but this year marks the 30th annual Sugarloaf Reggae Fest. Ski the snowfields, get a burger at the Bag, and then noodle your way through the music at the base.
Vail Four at Four: April 15
Vail’s closing day is always a melee, the official Spring Back to Vail event has involved ski patrollers pondskimming in the past, and the unofficial party culminates at the top of Chair Four, where people gather at 4 p.m. when the lifts close.
Expect snowball fights, “shotskis,” figgle races and more. If you want a slightly more low-key vibe, head to Blue Sky Basin at lunch time to grill out.
World Ski and Snowboard Festival: April 6-15
If you’re still charged up from the Olympics, the week-long World Ski and Snowboard Festival at Whistler-Blackcomb combines the best of competitive ski and snowboarding with sunshine, live music, and film/video events.
And it doesn’t hurt that Whistler Village is one of the best party towns in Canada … Just sayin’.
Killington Norbeaster: April 1-May 1
Killington’s end-of-season party goes on for weeks. Starting at the beginning of April the mountain hosts events every weekend. They range from rail jams and bump competitions to a last day all-out slalom race on May 1. East Coast debauchery for everyone!
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Read article
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Read article
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
An Avalanche Expert’s Tips on Spring Backcountry Safety
Read article
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Read article
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