Ask Colorado locals their favorite time to ski and many will say spring. The crowds disappear after Presidents' Day, the sun warms the slopes, and the snow transforms into perfect "corn" - soft, forgiving, and incredibly fun to ski.
Spring skiing means T-shirts on the slopes, long lunch breaks on sunny decks, and après-ski that starts mid-afternoon. Lift lines evaporate. Hotels offer shoulder-season deals. The vibe shifts from intense winter sport to relaxed mountain celebration.
Most Colorado resorts operate through mid-April, with some like Arapahoe Basin often staying open into June. The key to spring skiing is timing - you want warm afternoons to soften the snow, but you need to ski it before it gets too slushy. Late morning to early afternoon is usually prime time.