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May, 2025

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Best place for spring skiing

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MikeStreeter
Posts: 64 - Karma: 188
My friend and I are planning on going out west to spring ski when our spring semesters end around May 10th. The plan is from May 10th until June 1st when our internships start. Where would the best place to go considering we are going to be living out of our car/tent and have epic passes? We are willing to buy another pass.
3 years ago
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broto
Posts: 9040 - Karma: 25,673
Go to hood. Spring pass thru memorial day.
3 years ago
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MikeStreeter
Posts: 64 - Karma: 188
brotoGo to hood. Spring pass thru memorial day.


Would it be worth it? Its a 44 hr drive from MA and going to A-Basin is 27 hours. Probably a 3.5 day drive vs 2 days to Colorado between my buddy and I driving.
3 years ago
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ajbski
Posts: 1313 - Karma: 5,421
Where are you driving from?

do you have ikon pass?

if so and you don’t mind driving to Cali, I recommend mammoth. The quality of skiing even in august is great. Camping on USF land there is so chill and so close to the lift. The lakes are great to wash up. The town is usually vibing. Biking in the lower sections might be open. You can always drive south and hit the beach if you’re a bit tired or wanna do some surfing.

just don’t piss of the locals. They scratched up my windshield and jammed rocks in my fenders (probably because I parked a bit too close to their camper van)
3 years ago
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MikeStreeter
Posts: 64 - Karma: 188
ajbskiWhere are you driving from?

do you have ikon pass?

if so and you don’t mind driving to Cali, I recommend mammoth. The quality of skiing even in august is great. Camping on USF land there is so chill and so close to the lift. The lakes are great to wash up. The town is usually vibing. Biking in the lower sections might be open. You can always drive south and hit the beach if you’re a bit tired or wanna do some surfing.

just don’t piss of the locals. They scratched up my windshield and jammed rocks in my fenders (probably because I parked a bit too close to their camper van)


I don't have an ikon pass, was planning on buying one next year. Loved mammoth when I went in Feb 2019 and got like 6 feet while we were there. Would be down to drive there for tahoe too. Do you know if I buy the Ikon pass in march/april could I use it in May? I know some mountains would let you do that but idk with ikon resorts. Also that's kinda fucked the locals did that.
3 years ago
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KCoCM
Posts: 963 - Karma: 8,787
hood/ bachelor/ tahoe for park. abasin usually has features up but not too many, but vibes at abay in may/ june are usually hard to beat
3 years ago
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sexyjulian
Posts: 873 - Karma: 11,244
I wish Canada had some legit summer skiing like you fellas down south :(
3 years ago
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ajbski
Posts: 1313 - Karma: 5,421
sexyjulianI wish Canada had some legit summer skiing like you fellas down south :(


You mean with a ski lift and grooming?

there are plenty of glaciers here. Not sure if I actually like skiing sun cups
3 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38138 - Karma: 130,191
Anywhere with the right people.


But give me a case of beerskis and some primo April corn in Snowbird and im good
3 years ago
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sexyjulian
Posts: 873 - Karma: 11,244
ajbskiYou mean with a ski lift and grooming?

there are plenty of glaciers here. Not sure if I actually like skiing sun cups

yeah like summer mountains with a lift and what not.

which glaciers are actually worth hiking and skiing in ab/bc? I know there’s the Columbia ice field but it’s all roped off. the mountains around Canmore usually have some snow till august but it’s not worth trying to ski it.
3 years ago
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7546 - Karma: 67,055
mammoth or palisades Tahoe (aka Squaw)
3 years ago
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ajbski
Posts: 1313 - Karma: 5,421
sexyjulianyeah like summer mountains with a lift and what not.

which glaciers are actually worth hiking and skiing in ab/bc? I know there’s the Columbia ice field but it’s all roped off. the mountains around Canmore usually have some snow till august but it’s not worth trying to ski it.


Yea not worth the approach. But if you’re really itching to get some turns in, they do the job.

anyone know if they’ll ever open up the the horstman glacier in whis ever again?
3 years ago
1 0
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Fenk
Posts: 18 - Karma: 119
MikeStreeterI don't have an ikon pass, was planning on buying one next year. Loved mammoth when I went in Feb 2019 and got like 6 feet while we were there. Would be down to drive there for tahoe too. Do you know if I buy the Ikon pass in march/april could I use it in May? I know some mountains would let you do that but idk with ikon resorts. Also that's kinda fucked the locals did that.

I bought an ikon pass for this year on april 10th and got a bunch of days last spring at palisades and mammoth, spring in CA is nice, great tooring too
3 years ago
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CGMedia
Posts: 44 - Karma: 852
Timberline Spring Pass Mt Hood 100% worth it , camp in the woods it will be great
3 years ago
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TreyDudski
Posts: 362 - Karma: 3,827
Depends on what youre doing.. if park then i would say head up to oregon because it really cant be beat. But Ive had a shit ton of fun the past few years up at snowbird. The snow normally doesnt melt til really late so it stays fun for the whole month of may. I would highly suggest it.
3 years ago
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 5,781
Hood
3 years ago
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OldManAtABasin
Posts: 292 - Karma: 2,475
Come to Abasin and I'll buy you a beer.
3 years ago
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MikeStreeter
Posts: 64 - Karma: 188
OldManAtABasinCome to Abasin and I'll buy you a beer.


The plan is to go to a basin until our 7 days run out and then hit up mammoth for the rest of the time. Will hit you up when were out there.
3 years ago
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SmokedGouda
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 6,878
I have a pretty unpopular opinion on a part of this, but in years past, if I’m taking a chill day, I found some enjoyment at vail with the back bowls just getting absolutely baked and some lower front side stuff skiin nice. Then hit lovers keep and the snow is still soft. If you’re looking for good people though, vail is not the best bet on that. Had a few run ins with people yelling, yellow jackets on the hunt, and some goof tellin me to not swerve smh. I’d venture out to Copper for some spring park laps and abay for sick spring technical shit. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with any park jumps on a spring day. Just wax those puppies or else… unless your Dins are dialed in.
3 years ago
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Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,323
ajbskiYou mean with a ski lift and grooming?

there are plenty of glaciers here. Not sure if I actually like skiing sun cups


Farnham. Here's a photo from Labour Day weekend a few years back. Was able to get my Forester up to the hut, but from the hut we had to use my buddies pick up to get to the toe of the glacier. Just shy of a foot of fresh made for some very decent turns for that time of year.




The bridge at the bottom (where you turn off of Horsethief) is in really bad shape, or at least was in the summer of 2020. There's no good wood up there so I doubt they are gonna fix it.
The bridge as of August 2020:
3 years ago
5 0
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Mahusa
Posts: 9 - Karma: 187
Mt.Bachelor is great for spring skiing, the season goes into late may, it’s close to town and the parking lot vibes are great. Although with a 65 inch base in feb, no sign of new snow in the near future, and our main park lift being broken I could sadly see this season ending soon and not on a good note.
3 years ago
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Funnel
Posts: 7819 - Karma: 1,590
I’m going to cast a vote for Mammoth. Great weather, crowds die way down, and a variety of things to do. You’ll be able to use your Ikon Pass there by next May. Can even switch it up and hit Palisades (Squaw) pretty easily. Best combo of steeps and park in the spring IMO.
3 years ago
2 0
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5098 - Karma: 18,680
MikeStreeterI don't have an ikon pass, was planning on buying one next year. Loved mammoth when I went in Feb 2019 and got like 6 feet while we were there. Would be down to drive there for tahoe too. Do you know if I buy the Ikon pass in march/april could I use it in May? I know some mountains would let you do that but idk with ikon resorts. Also that's kinda fucked the locals did that.


FenkI bought an ikon pass for this year on april 10th and got a bunch of days last spring at palisades and mammoth, spring in CA is nice, great tooring too


FunnelI’m going to cast a vote for Mammoth. Great weather, crowds die way down, and a variety of things to do. You’ll be able to use your Ikon Pass there by next May. Can even switch it up and hit Palisades (Squaw) pretty easily. Best combo of steeps and park in the spring IMO.


Early purchase Ikon pass should get you the lowest price and spring after ~April 15th???

Palisades (squaw) is soooo good late into the spring, but the snow situation is not great right now from what I understand so Mammoth might be the play, either way the vibes and skiing are always good in the springtime sunshine in California, pack your sunscreen.
3 years ago
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Professor-Modelo
Posts: 460 - Karma: 5,078
a basin in may is the shit
3 years ago
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11990 - Karma: 12,272
ajbskianyone know if they’ll ever open up the the horstman glacier in whis ever again?


not likely for whis.

right now our best bet for lift access summer skiing in canada would be a resort that farms all their snow for summer (similar to what copper does) or the valemount resort. who knows if it'll actually get built but i guess there has been progress made in the last year and the town supports it.
3 years ago
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apc.fr
Posts: 293 - Karma: 879
Oregon is 100% the place you want to be, but losing ski days makes a basin the move.

Better check the pass situation though.
3 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52632 - Karma: 174,692
MikeStreeterWould it be worth it? Its a 44 hr drive from MA and going to A-Basin is 27 hours. Probably a 3.5 day drive vs 2 days to Colorado between my buddy and I driving.


Where are you going to stay to ride abay though? Summit aka west denver is pretty packed these days. For hood its pretty easy to camp and dirt bag it. Spring pass is like 170.

Abay is fun and they keep some park stuff up but its a pretty small park usually like 4 or 5 features. Depending on how early you make it hood might still have a bunch of stuff up before everything moves to mile and the tows.

Abay has some good skiing though, some steeps and what not.

I guess it depends on what you want to ski. Hood is a lot farther but honestly a reason i wouldn't worry about. Its a road trip either way.

Everyone shoulds drive across the whole country at least once in their lives.
3 years ago
1 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 52632 - Karma: 174,692
Also if you do hood you can go northern route on the way back and hit beartooth basin on the mt wy border by yellowstone. If they have enoigh snow. That ski area and the hike terrain around it also a must hit


Mammoth and Palisades(squaw) are good CA options. Also depending on your pass you can hit a few places.

Idk if you skate at all also a good reason to make a road trip out of it. Especially with friends.
3 years ago
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lil.Boye
Posts: 2791 - Karma: 12,669
Buy a ticket to northern sweden - ski rigsgränsen - ? - get payed
3 years ago
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