Amid a challenging Colorado ski season, Loveland Ski Area is planning to close days earlier than usual, welcoming the last skiers and snowboarders of the season on April 26, 2026, weather permitting.
“Until then, we’re still going strong with 500+ acres of terrain,” the ski area wrote in a social media post. “There’s more great spring riding ahead, with sunshine, slushy turns, and a stacked line-up of events and live music.”
Over the past five years, Loveland has averaged a May 8 closing date. It tends to open in late October, often making it one of the first ski areas operating in North America each season.
As every Colorado skier knows, though, this winter was far from normal.
By the time March arrived, the state’s snowpack was already limping along well below normal. Then came the heat dome, which hit ski resorts all across the West, baking what little snow was on the ground.
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In the aftermath, just a small handful of ski areas remain standing in Colorado.
Of those, Arapahoe Basin will be watched the closest. The high altitude resort has a reputation for its long seasons, often staying open into June. Last season, Arapahoe Basin closed on June 15. As of now, though, making it that far this year doesn’t seem possible.
We’re inclined to look on the bright side, though.
A bit of snow is in the forecast for next week. The lift-accessed season isn’t over yet. And, for those of you hoping to avoid crowds, the coming weeks should be the best time to do so. We’d prefer April powder, but once spring weather sets in, people tend to move on to activities other than skiing. That’s a boon for those who’d rather stick around in the mountains for a little longer.
This is where you can still ski in the Centennial State.
- Arapahoe Basin
- Aspen Mountain
- Breckenridge
- Copper Mountain
- Loveland Ski Area
- Winter Park
Related: Powder Days Are Great, but I’d Rather Ski in the Spring
