Ten Spring Après Events at Colorado Ski Resorts

Despite several feet of packed powder, spring was in the air last weekend at Steamboat Ski Resort. As temperatures neared 40 degrees and 4 p.m. rolled around, skiers and riders descended into the base area where MTN MIX was in full swing.

The North Face-produced event featured a community ride session with sponsored athletes, gear giveaways and live sets from several DJs, including local EDM producer Maddy O’Neal. She brought the party to T-Bar, one of the state’s best après spots, which was packed with people in new TNF apparel, spiffy jorts and, of course, a couple of inflatable T. Rex costumes.

Sad you missed out? Good news: There are many more après events at Colorado ski resorts this spring. Here’s what to put on your calendar.

Spring Fling Festival
Monday, March 17 to Sunday, April 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Purgatory Resort, 1 Skier Place, Durango
Highlights of Purgatory’s new Spring Fling Festival include a slopestyle freeride competition and a snowcat dining excursion, both set to occur on March 22. Closing day on April 13 will bring about its annual pond skimming contest with fun prizes and live music. During the four-week festival, visitors also get 50 percent off multi-day basic rentals and adult full-day group lessons, plus a $10 in-resort credit per day (hint: free beer). To extend your après itinerary, head to Durango Hot Springs, one of the state’s best hot springs resorts.

Bud Light Spring Jam
Monday, March 17 to Saturday, March 29
Aspen Snowmass
Back for its 24th year, Bud Light Spring Jam will feature live music performances at the base of Snowmass and Aspen Mountain, plus night skiing on March 21 and 22. The event also involves challenging contests like its annual banked slalom snowboarding competition on March 23 and Battle In The Bowl on March 29, where experts will compete for the most laps down the legendary Highland Bowl. Other mountain challenges range from fat bike racing and snow golf to the Ullrhof Games’ beer pong and stump tournaments.

Springalicious
Tuesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 20
Steamboat Ski Resort, 2305 Mount Werner Circle, Steamboat Springs
After a party lap through Steamboat’s champagne powder, get down with its Springalicious festivities. In addition to several free concerts, this event features the wacky and wild Cardboard Classic. Watch as competitors sled down the groomed Stampede run aboard self-built cardboard crafts on April 12 and don’t miss the splashdown pond skim on April 13. Closing weekend promises even more fun — stay tuned for details.

Taste of Vail
Wednesday, April 2 to Saturday, April 5
Vail Village
Taste of Vail’s 34th annual festival will feature four signature events: a rosé release party on April 2; an après tasting in Vail Village on April 3, followed by a mountaintop tasting at Vail Ski Resort on April 4; and finally, the grand tasting event on April 5. Wine seminars and a pairing dinner round out the festivities. Purchase tickets to individual affairs or opt for a signature event pass — and see a few familiar faces, as several Denver-based restaurant concepts have recently moved to the high country.

Keystone Springtastic
Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m.
Keystone Resort, 100 Dercum Square, Keystone
To close out its season, Keystone Resort will host its annual Springtastic celebration. Register for its rail jam competition on April 5 or show off your pond skimming skills (and best costume) during its Slush Cup event on April 6. Alongside the standard pond, a fun-sized pool will be stationed at the Mountain House base area, allowing kiddos to also compete.

Spring Bash + Splash
Select dates between Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 27
Winter Park Resort, 85 Parsenn Road, Winter Park
Every weekend through April, Denver’s own Winter Park Resort will host free concerts and themed events as part of its Spring Bash + Splash festival. The fun kicks off on April 5 with the TheBigWonderful Beerfest and Bluegrass, followed by music performances and the annual banked slalom snowboard race on April 12. The next Saturday, April 19, will spotlight ’90s nostalgia with a costume contest, photo booth and live throwback tunes, along with the tenth annual Retro Shred-A-Thon benefitting High Fives Foundation. Cap off the season with its slopeside beach party on April 26 and a costumed pond skim on April 27.

Wolf Creek Closing Day
Sunday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wolf Creek Ski Area, US-160 East, Pagosa Springs
Wolf Creek was the first ski area to open this season — not just in Colorado, but the entire country. Celebrate its closing day and final 85th anniversary events on Sunday, April 6. These include a costume contest, a vintage ski selfie station, 85-cent cupcakes and signature cocktails. Bonus: festivities occur on one of several local appreciation days, which apply to all visitors. At just $68 per adult, Wolf Creek offers some of the cheapest lift tickets in the state.

Peaks & Beats
Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27, 8:30 a.m.
Breckenridge Ski Resort, 1599 C Summit County Road 3, Breckenridge
The new Peaks & Beats spring bash at Breckenridge Ski Resort will feature two days of pond skimming at the base of Peak 8. Pull on your swimmies and silliest costume, or simply watch the contest from the snowy sidelines. Then, get your groove on with live DJ performances. Dombresky will headline on April 26, followed by Cassian on April 27. And what’s an après party without a little booze? You’ll have to wait until next ski season to be part of the world’s longest shotski, but belly up to TBar for hot toddies and more.

Sunsation
Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27
Copper Mountain Resort, 509 Copper Road, Frisco
Previously headlined by The Main Squeeze and Beau Thomas Band, Sunsation is set to return to Copper Mountain on April 26 and 27. Though event details have yet to be announced, expect free live music, slushy turns and tropical vibes. Take note of the dress code: leis, grass hats and Hawaiian shirts are encouraged.

Gay Basin
Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arapahoe Basin, 28194 Highway 6, Dillon
When Alterra Mountain Company acquired A-Basin last year, fans of the formerly independent ski area worried things were headed downhill. But the locals’ mountain has maintained its charm and soon, tailgate parties on the Beach and mid-mountain pond skimming will return, as will its annual Gay Basin event on May 17 and 18. Expect live bands and DJs, dancing (as best one can in ski boots) and more après fun during this Pride weekend party.