Ski through spring

Sunglasses?  Check.  Sun tan lotion?  Check.  Skis?  Check.  Huh?  You’re probably wondering.  Believe it or not, skiing and snowboarding is not just reserved for the chilly months of winter.  Warm weather, clear skies, short lift lines, amazing deals and coming back with a tan are all reasons why skiing in the spring is one of my favorite times to go.

Here’s a list of the top 5 places to go skiing in the spring:

1. Tignes/ Val d’Isere, France

Skiing here goes past spring and even through the summer.  The high altitude keeps the spring snow crisp.

1. Oetztal Arena, Austria

This is the highest ski resort in the Austria Alps and the fact that it’s in a valley, which shelters the glaciers, makes it perfect for hitting the slopes come spring.

1. Summit County, Colorado

This county has some of the highest resort altitudes of the state.  Cooper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland are all worth checking out.

1. Lake Louise, Alberta

One of Canada’s most beautiful resorts, Lake Louise has over 130 runs and boasts a vertical drop of over 3,200 feet.   After a long day of swishing down the slopes, why not catch a few rays (the days are longer now!) and enjoy an après-ski glass of chilled ice wine at the Chateau Lake Louise? 

1. Mammoth Mountain, California

Doesn’t the name just say it all?  This resort, at an altitude of 8,000 – 11,000 feet, has some of the best spring skiing as it’s freezing at night and mild during the day.

Now get out there and catch some rays!

— Lian Novak