looking ahead to spring shred
Spring has sprung, and while most U.S. ski resorts are moaning and melting, Colorado’s are thriving and diving into their most fun season of the year. At last, it’s time for some sunny spring shred.
To be a little more specific, it’s A-Basin time. Although Colorado had a great snow year that will keep mountains white for months, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone all close at the end of the day on April 20. This is due to a couple of reasons: One that is sensible and one that is not. The sensible reason is to vacate habitats so critters like black bears can have a smooth transition into spring. While it would be pretty cool to run into a bear on the slopes, the feeling wouldn’t be mutual. The less reasonable excuse for these resorts closing so early is simply that spring is not a profitable time. Everyone on the mountain is a season pass holder, no one is in the lodge because it’s so nice out and all the lucrative holiday periods have passed. Taking all this into consideration leaves resorts without reason to stay open for cheap college kids like us, but luckily not everyone looks to skiing and snowboarding just for profit.
As one of the few independently owned resorts left in Colorado, A-Basin will be the safe haven when April 20 arrives. The mountain managed to stay open until July fourth in 2011, and we could be looking at a similar situation with the Rockies’ current abundance of snow. A-Basin is also safe enough to operate through spring without any furry run-ins. Enjoy all of Colorado’s resorts for the next three weeks, but this will be home to all skiing and boarding soon.
The timeline has been laid out; now it’s time to look ahead to the many wonderful aspects of spring shred: Slushy snow, pond skims, goggle tans, Hawaiian shirts, muddy boots, ridiculous costumes and watching intoxicated people fall down. Above all, however, is anything occurring in the parking lot. Also known as “the beach”, the A-Basin lot goes off every season with thousands of people partying and barbecuing like it’s their last. Cold beverages flow like rivers, calm winds bring good moods and great company certainly qualifies this beach as the best in Colorado despite sparse competition.
While riding the lift with a sun-covered smile, pat yourself on the back for making it through Colorado’s vicious winter and all those less enjoyable lift rides. The time has finally come to sit back, relax and enjoy the luxury of spring shred. Wear a helmet, don’t forget beach supplies and always make sure to have absurd amounts of fun.
