Light weight outing on a blue sky day. Cath Howard at Royal Gorge
As the cross country (XC) ski season winds down most XC ski areas close because of lack of skiers rather than lack of snow on the trails. The sun comes out, the temperature rises, and the XC skiers quit. Huh?
XCSkiResorts.com spoke with ski area operators around the nation to get their take on spring skiing. In normal years, many areas host springtime season pass holder parties and offer big discounts for purchasers of season passes for next year.
Lapland Lake in Northville, NY commented that their trails are compacted on a daily basis so the snow does not disappear like in the city or open areas in suburbia. Lapland's Kathy Zahray encourages skiers and snowshoers to get out and enjoy this weather and these great spring conditions!"
Zahray admits that “the reality is that in the spring it costs more for grooming and staffing than the amount of income earned from the diminishing number of skiing patrons, however this is one of the most fun times of the year to enjoy the outdoors. The milder temperatures and discounted rates are terrific for everyone and it is fun to ski in shorts and t-shirts." Lapland Lake is offering special lodging prices through the end of March starting at $160 per night for two guests.
Rikert Nordic Center in Ripton, VT has a big banner on its website offering 40% off day trail tickets, rentals, lessons and merchandise. This is a great incentive to attract skiers, snowshoers and fat bikers in the spring. Patrons who purchase the low priced season passes in the spring for next season get one free ski lesson, too.
Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT is offering private maple sugaring tours and they plan to stay open as long as the snow holds. Don’t miss the von Trapp Brewing Bierhall Restaurant, which is conveniently situated on the XC ski and mountain bike trails. The Bierhall is a gathering place for friends to enjoy “a little of Austria, a lot of Vermont,” serving fresh lager beers and a selection of freshly prepared Austrian lunch and dinner selections
Groomed trail with blue skies at Byrncliff Resort & Conference Center
Carters XC Ski Center in Bethel, ME have been very busy this spring renting cabins and selling equipment. Carter’s hosted the Burger, Beer & Bike Festival for their patrons in late March to try fat bikes and enjoy the area.
In Minnesota at Maplelag Resort, proprietor Jay Richards concurs "that people want to get on the snow early but get tired of winter and ready for warm spring days." He feels that "skiers in the Midwest are conditioned to colder and drier snow compared to skiers in other regions who are more accustomed to a wider variety of snow conditions."
At Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI they run spring events on machine-made snow but there has been warm weather and little snow late in the season. If there is new snow enough to groom, the trails will be open. Proprietor Lynne Frye invites everyone to celebrate all that is great about spring: long, sunny days of great cross country skiing in Michigan!
The Breckenridge Nordic Center in CO has skiers who are enjoying the patio and lounging around with a glass of beer or wine. They expect to remain open through mid April, as the trail cover and base remains due to snowmaking in the fall. Owner Josh Dayton said “We’re having really fantastic skiing on beautiful sunny days and our snow holds up very well.”
Erika Halm of Methow Trails in Winthrop, WA stated, “This season has been another fantastic snow year! We have no shortage of snow but people stop skiing in late March which is really too bad because we often find the best skiing of the season comes in the spring. The trails are well packed, and the days are lighter and warmer making it much more comfortable to ski.
The website for Methow Trails in Winthrop, WA implores skiers to enjoy spring skiing at its best with sun, longer days, uncrowded trails, and the bird songs of new arrivals. Cold nights help keep the trails open for your skiing pleasure with the best skiing on trails groomed in the previous 24 hours. Usually trails will start to soften up quickly this morning. Spring skiing sounds delightful!