Even though the calendar has flipped to May, you still have time to rack up slope time at four California resorts. The spring ski and snowboard season is going strong with chairlifts turning at Kirkwood, Palisades Tahoe/Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain, and Mt. Baldy. And since May means long days and toasty weather, you can forget your boot warmers. Instead, strip down to your base layer as you carve down perfectly groomed corduroy, then high-five with your friends after a perfect day of spring skiing.
Two more benefits to spring skiing in California: festive parties and deals on lift tickets and lodging. At Mammoth, for instance, you can find late-season lift tickets for as low as $79 and get up to 25 percent off lodging packages during the spring window.
Here's what’s happening at California’s still-open ski resorts:
Closing date: After July 1—still TBD
If you really don’t want the snow to melt, head to Mammoth Lakes on the Sierra’s eastern side, where you can ski until the end of July. Mammoth’s summit received a record-breaking 897 inches of snow this winter (715 inches at the base lodge), more than any other California resort. Sixty-nine percent of the resort’s trails are still open, which means there’s a huge amount of terrain to explore and no shortage of fluffy white stuff. Mammoth hasn’t announced an exact closing date, but the lifts will keep running long after Independence Day.
Don’t miss: On Memorial Day Weekend, May 26–29, dress up like Gilligan or Ginger for the nautical-themed Mammoth Yacht Club Party with live music, giveaways, snow tubing, and more. On June 3, show up to watch the daredevils at the World Quarterpipe Championships. And on July 1, ride the Mammoth Scenic Gondola to 11,053 feet for a Summit Sunset Party. You’ll get to see the glowing orange orb set right over the Minaret Range.
Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows
Closing date: May 29 (Palisades side) and July 4 (Alpine Meadows)
These jointly owned resorts on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore, 11 miles from Truckee, will stay open until July 4 with plenty of snow to go around. Palisades Tahoe received 720 inches of snow this season compared to its average season snowfall of 400 inches. Throughout May, both Palisades and Alpine Meadows will be open for spring skiing Friday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The rest of the week, Palisades will be open Mondays and Tuesdays and Alpine Meadows will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays. In June, Palisades will close for the season due to construction work on its funitel, but Alpine Meadows will remain open every weekend, Friday to Sunday.
Don’t miss: Mark your calendar for a giant closing party at Alpine Meadows on July 4.
Closing date: May 14
Celebrating its 50th year in operation, this resort 32 miles south of South Lake Tahoe is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until May 14, so get there fast. Resort spokesperson Dennis Baggett says Kirkwood will have live bands playing on Saturday, May 13 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Sunday, May 14 (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.). Kirkwood’s slopes are still holding an astounding amount of snow—the resort received 725 inches this winter, or just over 60 feet.
Don’t miss: On May 14, you can also take part in a longstanding closing-day tradition, a giant snowball fight at the top of Chair 10. The friendly battle is not an “official” event, but it will happen, and you definitely want to be there.
Closing date: End of May
This locals-favorite resort 50 miles from Los Angeles and “just up the hill” from Ontario and Claremont plans to stay open on weekends till the end of May. Lifts are running Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for as long as the snow holds out.
Don’t miss: Buy your lift ticket in advance on the web for only $55, or purchase a Club Baldy Membership for $75 and ski free for the rest of the season.