While the season is already over at many of the West’s mountains, over in Nova Scotia, skiers can look forward to another weekend on the slopes at one of the continent’s most unique oceanside ski resorts.
“Too much snow to call it. So we’re not,” Cape Smokey announced in a social media post, confirming that it would be open between April 24 and April 26 for more skiing and snowboarding. “Honestly… it would be a crime to close right now.”
The resort said the spring conditions are unreal, with “soft turns” and “bluebird views.” Typically, Cape Smokey’s season lasts from November through April.
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.
The extension puts Cape Smokey ahead of some hotshot destinations in Utah and Colorado that, because of the low snow season out West, have already closed. But it is in good company with some eastern ski resorts south of the border, like Killington and Jay Peak, Vermont, that remain open.
The little 150-acre mountain stands out in other ways, too.
Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, it offers views you won’t catch at many other resorts. Cape Smokey’s website proudly proclaims that it’s home to “Atlantic Canada’s only gondola.” The base elevation is only 50 feet.
Given the out-there location, you might think Cape Smokey’s infrastructure would only consist of a few fisherman shacks and a lighthouse. You can, after all, go whale watching near there during the warmer months.
Cape Smokey, Indy Pass Media Kit
But a major development project is underway that aims to create “a full boutique-style village with shops, dining, and year-round entertainment,” according to a press release shared last year. Bookings for some of the new digs, which look like something you’d find in a high-end mountain town, open on June 15.
On top of all that, Cape Smokey is part of the Indy Pass, an independent ski area-focused multi-pass. If you’re looking to ski at a place unlike most others, this probably is a good place to start.
Related: The Best 10 Days of Skiing Sun Valley Has Ever Seen
