The 10 Best Resorts for Spring Skiing This Season

Spring, in mountain-person nomenclature, can mean multiple things at once.

That late-April surprise storm qualifies as spring skiing, as does the day, only a week later, when skiing corn snow under the sun. The weather in this transitory period is mercurial.

However, when we think of spring skiing, we lean towards the sunnier, slushier side of the spectrum. In our books, the word spring means a few things: parking lot parties, egregious goggle tans, and pond skims. At a certain point, it's time for the powder to make way for corn. 

A word of warning about the 2025-26 season, though—snowpacks in many regions across the West aren't, to be blunt, looking great. While there's plenty of season left to go, it's worth paying close attention to how the usual spring skiing titans are faring before booking a trip. On the other hand, the East is sitting pretty with plenty of snow.

There's also a faint silver lining to all the atmospheric weirdness this season: we might be skiing in t-shirts sooner than usual.

The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.

10. Camelback Resort, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania isn't, of course, known for its prolonged ski season. With less snow than their western counterparts, resorts in the state shift towards activities other than skiing earlier.

But if you're living out East and can't be bothered to travel, Camelback Resort, Pennsylvania, is making moves to keep winter going, with a closing date in May as the goal. If Camelback can pull it off, it'll be the latest it's stayed open across its 60-plus years of operation. The resort's commitment is real.

As of March, the snow guns were still firing.

And what Camelback might lack in steep slopes, it makes up for with off-mountain activities. This place is a one-stop shop for all kinds of diversions, like an indoor waterpark and an arcade with laser tag. Skiing is first in our hearts, but we aren't ones to turn down a waterslide.

9. Killington, Vermont

Killington's long been the go-to spot for Vermont and East Coast skiers who aren't ready to quit. Historically, the resort has remained open until late May or early June, keeping the party going on Superstar, a classic lift which got updated in time for the 2025-26 season. The newly improved, $12 million chair sports a faster ride time and more places for your buddies to take a seat.

That's just the place where Killington's season typically makes its final stand, though. Before then, far more of the mountain is available to explore in the spring, with glades, bumps, and groomers all on the table. Sweetening the deal is the Killington Spring Pass, a heavily discounted pass that includes unlimited access from March through the end of the season.

8. Palisades Tahoe, California

Palisades Tahoe, California, refers to itself as the "spring skiing capital." It's a bold claim, to be sure, but the resort has plenty of evidence. For one, Palisades Tahoe is famed for its big mountain and expert-oriented terrain. The KT-22 lift, which cruises past McConkey's, a legendary no-fall-zone, is a significant part of the resort's mythos. Other lifts, like the Headwall Express, dive into the gnar, too.

But across Palisades Tahoe's sprawling terrain offerings, you'll find more than imposing double black diamonds. Groomers and cruisers also abound, particularly in the more approachable Alpine area, a separate resort that now operates under the Palisades Tahoe banner.

7. Timberline Lodge, Oregon

Timberlodge Lodge, Oregon, is North America’s summer skiing mecca. Perched on the picturesque Mt. Hood, this ski resort maintains operations through the warmer months, drawing crowds of skiers who want to keep turning, flipping, and jibbing long after other destinations have closed.

Unsurprisingly, when spring arrives, Timberlodge Lodge is often the place to be, too, particularly for those who like to spin hot laps through the terrain park. Countless ski edits have been filmed in the resort’s parks, highlighting the vibrant, local newschool scene. While never a guarantee—Mother Nature does what she wants—the prospect of sunny skies and slushy snow add to the Timberline Lodge spring skiing allure.

So does the ski area’s historic lodge, also called Timberline. Built in 1937 and later designated a National Historic Landmark, this storied structure, which incidentally appeared in the horror film The Shining, is one of skiing’s most iconic crash pads. If vibrant bodies of water are your thing, the nearby Trillium Lake has that base covered, providing unobstructed views of Mt. Hood.

6. Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

In its Colorado cohort, Arapahoe Basin stands out with a firm commitment to offering the state's longest ski season. Typically, that season starts in late October or early November, stretching all the way until June, snowpack dependent. As of the 2025-26 season, Arapahoe Basin's closing day could be earlier, given the lack of snow in Colorado.

Still, the resort's base elevation—nearly 11,000 feet—certainly aids Arapahoe Basin in the quest for providing a prolonged season. It also means those visiting from lower altitude locales should come prepared. Sunscreen, ibuprofen, and lots of water are your best friend when tangling with the thinner air.

To catch a proper spring vibe, visit Arapahoe Basin's uppermost parking lot, known as "The Beach." Here, tailgating and good times reign supreme. 

5. Mt. Bachelor, Oregon

At many resorts, the highest lift presents skiers with boundaries. In one direction, they can descend into a network of marked trails; in the other, they face a line of bamboo and rope, demarcating the start of no man's land.

A different program prevails atop Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, where, after riding the Summit Express, you can descend in almost any direction you'd like. This 360-degree freedom is the skiing equivalent of a choose-your-own-adventure book. If you can see it, the odds are good you can ski it in this unique, rolling landscape.

And thanks in part to its 410 inches of average annual snowfall, Mt. Bachelor makes, during most seasons, a strong spring-skiing proposition. While wet and sometimes rainy throughout the mid-season, the Pacific Northwest comes alive as spring arrives. 

4. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Just north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb looms as North America's largest ski area. Well, technically, it's two ski areas connected by a high-flying gondola called the Peak 2 Peak. Either way, it provides a deep roster of terrain that, in the spring, remains skiable (oftentimes quite well) due to a thick maritime snowpack.

That's the thing about Whistler Blackcomb. It encompasses an enormous 5,280 vertical feet, packing several climates into one ski resort. On any given day, it might be soggy in the base area while fresh flakes are flying throughout the alpine. Sleeper powder days—powder days, that is, when people least expect them—are always possible at Whistler Blackcomb, even in the spring.

The variability extends to the resort's runs. Lower down, groomed trails flanked by trees dominate, while the upper mountain, expert-oriented lifts travel into wide-open, alpine bowls. World-class terrain parks further establish Whistler Blackcomb's status as a spring skiing kingpin. 

3. Lake Louise, Alberta

Lake Louise is a full-fledged springtime haunt. It is, at the height of winter, a place to score deep snow and steep lines. Then, when the temperatures climb, slushy groomers and terrain park laps come into play.

The fun's aided by a slew of new lifts that have come online at Lake Louise in recent years. In 2024, the ropes dropped on the Pipestone Express, which expedites travel on the front side. A year later, Richardson's Ridge arrived, adding 200 acres of new beginner and intermediate terrain served by a high-speed quad.

Plus, Lake Louise is a quick drive away from Banff, a bustling tourist town with shops, restaurants, and more opportunities to soak in the natural splendor. It's not the Alps, but as far as North America goes, it's pretty close. Oh, and that aforementioned lake, which is gorgeous, is just across the street from the resort.

2. Sunshine Village, Alberta

Another member of the Banff crew, Sunshine Village lives up to its name. At this resort, under sunny skies, you can scope stellar views of the surrounding mountains before dropping in and carving through corn snow. 

Among other things, Sunshine Village delivers on variety. Delirium Dive, an experts-only area, caters to thrill seekers with a freeride bent. More casual runs, accessible by lifts like the Strawberry Express Quad, suit beginner skiers, while terrain parks peppered throughout the resort's footprint serve up jumps and rails. A unique layout that transports visitors from Sunshine Village's parking lot to its base lodge is another draw.

1. Mammoth Mountain, California

Mammoth Mountain, California, is known for massive mid-winter storms that assail the resort with feet of snow and high winds. As spring arrives and the conditions settle, this wintry weather sets the stage for a sunnier, gentler strain of Golden State skiing. 

While Mammoth Mountain often spins its lifts through June, it has, in the past, kept the party going longer. During the 2022-2023 ski season, the resort was open until August after a record-breaking 700-plus inches of snow arrived at its base area. 

This, of course, was unusual, but Mammoth Mountain delivering the springtime conditions skiers seek is reliable. The resort bills the latter half of its yearly operations as the "Second Season," providing a haven for folks whose home resort has already closed. Similar to Timberline Lodge, Mammoth Mountain has one of the best park programs around, so consider packing your twin-tip skis if you have a trip to Mammoth on the docket. Also, keep your eyes peeled for Woolly, the resort's furry mascot. 

California's snow season this year has been spotty at best, but Mammoth Mountain still plans to stay open through Memorial Day in 2026. The Second Season lives on.