18 • Worldwide Travel
Te Travel Guide - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 4 March 2026 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Long seasons and high peaks: Colorado skiing into spring
ASPEN MOUNTAIN/JEREMY SWANSON, ASPEN SNOWMASS
Colorado was the original long-haul dream destination for British skiers, and for good reason
There are few places where one moment, you find yourself immersed in the American West — Stetson hat and all — and the next, you’re carving through powder on some of the world’s best slopes. With 28 ski resorts scattered across the Rockies, Colorado is defined by scale, altitude and famously light, dry snow. That elevation also brings a longer season, with lifts turning well into spring. By April, bluebird skies, quieter pistes and immaculate grooming make these five Colorado resorts a standout choice for spring skiing.
ARAPAHOE BASIN There are long seasons, and then there’s Arapahoe Basin. In a good year, T-shirt-clad skiers and boarders are still carving the slopes well into early June, giving the resort one of the longest seasons of any in the Northern Hemisphere. Little- known to British visitors, A-Basin is the antithesis of cookie-cutter modern resorts, and its altitude beats European rivals such as Val Thorens for late-season skiing. Alongside plenty of challenging double-black diamonds, the resort also boasts North America’s highest- elevation terrain park. “Gnarly” just about sums it up.
WINTER PARK Public transport doesn’t automatically spring to mind when thinking about the US, but Colorado bucks the trend with its ski train from downtown Denver to the slopes of Winter Park. Running from Denver’s Union Station straight to the resort (Thursday to Sunday until 29 March), the Winter Park Express allows skiers to fly into the Mile High City, acclimatise to the altitude and explore Denver’s creative neighbourhoods — be sure to visit RiNo, a hub of street art, galleries and craft breweries — before boarding the train as it winds through the Rocky Mountains. Powder-seekers chasing a late-season fix should head to Winter Park’s Mary Jane side, famed for deep snow and challenging terrain, and the reason locals say, “No pain, no Jane”.
ASPEN Aspen Snowmass is one of the greats of North American skiing and for good reason. One single lift ticket covers four distinct mountains — Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass — all linked by a free and efficient shuttle bus system. From the steep glades and moguls of Ajax to the legendary hike-to terrain of Highland Bowl, cruisy groomers at Buttermilk and the vast, high-alpine expanse of Snowmass, there’s remarkable diversity across more than 5,500 acres. Snowmass alone is larger than the
other three combined, while roughly 65% of the overall terrain is rated advanced or expert. High elevations and north-facing slopes also make Aspen Snowmass a standout for late-season skiing, with reliable snow conditions long after many resorts begin to wind down.
BRECKENRIDGE/BRECKENRIDGE T.O.
VAIL Vail offers some of the very best spring skiing in Colorado, with long, sunny bluebird days, warmer
temperatures and a high-energy atmosphere fuelled by a vibrant music scene. The resort’s Legendary Back Bowls are in their prime at this time of year, and the extended daylight creates a vibe unlike anywhere else in the Rockies. The season typically runs into
mid-April, with frequent late-season snowstorms delivering excellent conditions for both skiing and apres-ski. From soft afternoon turns to lively patio celebrations, spring in Vail is a special experience that keeps guests returning year after year.
BRECKENRIDGE Breckenridge feels like a proper mountain town, its Victorian-era buildings lining streets that are often dusted with snow, giving the place an old-fashioned wintry charm. It’s also relatively good value by long- haul ski standards, with no shortage of independent shops, relaxed bars and welcoming restaurants to duck in to after a day on the slopes. On the mountain, Breckenridge’s popularity is easy to understand. The terrain unfolds across a series of peaks, offering everything from long, confidence-boosting groomers to testing mogul runs, steep couloirs and gladed lines through the trees. Breckenridge is an excellent choice for mixed-ability groups, with something to suit everyone from first-timers to confident, more experienced skiers.
For further information Visit:
colorado.com/visitwinter
PLAN YOUR MOUNTAIN GETAWAY Spring is one of the most rewarding times to ski in Colorado, combining high
elevations with a relaxed end-of-season atmosphere. Longer days bring sunshine, softer snow and quieter slopes, while many resorts continue operating well beyond the traditional winter months. It’s also a smart time to plan ahead. When Ikon and Epic passes go on sale in the spring, skiers can secure lift access across multiple Colorado resorts for the following season, often with added benefits for late-season skiing and excellent overall value.
ARAPAHOEBASIN/DAVE CAMARA
WINTER PARK EXPRESS/CLAUDIA GAROFALO + 9 NEWS
VAIL/JACK AFFLECK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28
