Rates Are Lower in the Spring Ski Season

Amateurs speak of the ski season as if it were one snowy, four-month entity. But that’s like lumping the elaborate courses of a banquet under the term “dinner.”

When most resorts open in late November, assorted rocks and branches usually peek through a blanket of man-made snow. In the months when temperatures dip to winter lows the number of skiers soars; the busiest times are Dec. 26 through New Year’s, and President’s Weekend. High season continues through most of March.

Although crowds diminish as temperatures rise, sporadic--often heavy--snowfalls can generally be counted on until at least mid-April.

Best Conditions

It’s not unusual to find the season’s best conditions just a few days before a resort closes, and lodging and lift bargains proliferate at season’s end.

Granular spring snow, called corn snow, can be a mass of clumped ice early in the morning but by midday it takes on a wet, easy-to-ski consistency. On particularly warm days the lower slopes can become heavy, even mushy.

“Skiing is definitely more athletic in the spring,” Laura Wittern of Killington, Vt., said. “The heavier the snow, the more strength it takes to carve a turn.”

Different Sport

Spring skiing is almost like a different sport. Skiers relax, knowing that every additional day is a bonus. They dress differently, and they seem to spend as much time sunbathing and socializing as skiing.

“At Arapahoe Basin (Colorado) we see a lot of snow boards and entire contingents of skiers wearing shorts and halters, even swimsuits,” a spokeswoman said.

Spring skiers seldom rush, as in winter, to get onto the slopes. Instead, they sleep in, letting the sun soften the corn snow. Elaborate picnics or al fresco barbecues are the order of the day, as skiers get a head start on summer tans.

Barbecue Time

At Killington, crowds gather on the base decks; in Colorado they’re at 10,000 feet midway up the mountain. At Vail, Wildwood Shelter draws hundreds to its barbecue and terraced deck, where the views look over Mt. of the Holy Cross and at least three mountain ranges stretch to the horizon.

Bonnie’s, the midway spot on Aspen Mountain, becomes Bonnie’s Beach Club: the help, wearing shorts and floral skirts, serve Hawaiian chicken burgers to customers stretched in lawn chairs or gathered around sun umbrellas.

The following sites offer good spring skiing:

Aspen, Colo., value season is April 1-9. Lift-ticket prices remain at $35. However, skiers can pre-buy a six-out-of-seven-day lift package for $150.

Room rates take the largest plunge during value season. For example, the Snowflake Inn’s $140 rooms drop to $85; at the ultra-chic Hotel Jerome, double prices that began at $225 during regular season fall to $135-$175. Call toll-free (800) 525-6200.

Beaver Creek, Colo., value season is April 1-16. Lift tickets remain $35, but they are discounted $5 at front-range outlets. Lodging prices drop 20% or more. Whenever the sun shines is the ideal time to eat lunch at Beano’s Cabin. Stake out a table on the spacious patio. Chances are that you won’t get around to skiing any more that afternoon. Call (800) 525-2257.

Heavenly Valley, Calif., upgraded its snow-making capacity last summer to the point where it’s the world’s largest system. By spring, snow making is needed only where traffic is heavy and on slopes without a northerly exposure.

Discounts abound April 1-22. For example, Lakeland Village offers a seven-night package that includes six days of lift tickets for $527 per person, based on double occupancy of a one-bedroom place, taxes included. That same package, a month earlier, costs $735. Call (800) 243-2836.

Jackson Hole, Wyo., is on a roll. There is increased jet access via Delta, American, United and Continental Airlines. Beginning March 25 the Alpenhof, at the base of Teton Village, discounts its deluxe room to $95 a night (from $130) until season’s end April 9. Call (800) 443-6931 or (307) 733-4005.

Keystone, Colo., barely leaves time for summer. Extensive snow making had things under way by Oct. 27, enabling Keystone to claim to be the nation’s first resort to open on a daily basis.

Skiing continues nonstop into June when Keystone’s Arapahoe Basin, Colorado’s premiere spring ski area, finally calls it quits.

Spring skiing at Arapahoe goes under the name “Beachin’ at the Basin.” At the 11,500-foot midway barbecue, skiers sprawl in lawn chairs, listening to Beach Boy tunes echo off canyon walls.

Keystone’s Spring Ski Free package runs from April 2 through May 31, offering a free lift ticket for each night spent at one of the many condominiums or at the lodge.

In addition to free skiing, room prices are reduced. For example, double occupancy in a one-bedroom condominium is $78 per person during the regular ski; during Spring Ski Free days that condominium drops to $59 per person and includes a lift ticket. Rooms at the lodge are similarly discounted. For reservations call (800) 222-0188.

Killington, Vt., has stayed open into June for seven consecutive years. Spring ski packages begin in mid-March. At the Red Robin Lodge five nights and five days of lift tickets, with daily breakfast and dinner, runs $425 a person, double occupancy. Regular season rates are $498 per person. Call (802) 773-0755.

Snowmass, Colo., celebrates with one of the zaniest gimmicks: The fourth annual “Banana Season” is April 1-9. A treasure hunt gets things started, as skiers search the slopes for hundreds of plastic bananas filled with prizes that range from suntan lotion to gift certificates. A banana-boat relay race in a large pool and the Banana Olympics preface the Banana Ball, where the best tropical costumes win.

Lift tickets remain at $35 a day, but lodging prices drop an average of 30% from the regular season. Call (800) 332-3245.

Steamboat Springs, Colo., continues to offer a “Kids Ski Free” program, allowing children under 12 to stay free and ski free when their parents buy a lift ticket for five days or more on a one-to-one basis and stay a minimum of five nights at any participating property. Children also have free ski rentals on a one-on-one basis when their parents rent skis for the same period.

During spring value season, April 2-9, lift tickets drop to $29 a day. Call (800) 525-2628.

Sugarbush, Vt., usually closes South Basin a week or two before Mt. Ellen. In 1988 South Basin closed April 10. This year tickets and lodging are discounted from March 27 until season’s end. Single-day tickets, regularly $32, drop to $22.

Starting March 26, $49 per person a day covers accommodations, lift tickets and breakfast at many inns. For more information, call (800) 537-8427.

But a confirmed discount for families, the “Kids Stay and Ski Free” program, goes into effect March 19 through closing, scheduled May 1. A maximum of two children (17 and younger) per parent can ski and stay free with parents who are skiing and staying in a Sun Valley Co. hotel or condominium. For more information, call (800) 635-8261.

Vail, Colo., doubled its terrain over last summer to become the largest ski resort in North America. That leaves plenty of room for picnics at the Wildwood or Far East shelters.

Lodging prices drop April 1-16. For example, a mountain-view double room, with breakfast, at the luxurious Bavarian-style Sonnenalp Hotel is $160 a night, down from $200 in February and March. Call (800) 525-2257.