North American Ski Areas Extend Seasons & Slope Opening Hours
Ski areas in Canada and the USA have been announcing extensions to their seasons and, in some cases, longer slope opening hours daily, after big snowfalls in late March and early April.
Ski areas in Canada and the USA have been announcing extensions to their seasons and, in some cases, longer slope opening hours daily, after big snowfalls in late March and early April.
Ski areas around Lake Tahoe reported up to four feet (1.2m) of snowfall from this week’s storm cycles leading some to announce season extensions.
“It’s official–we’re staying open through Sunday, April 20, following 33” (82cm) of new snow falling during this past storm cycle!” a statement from Kirkwood announced, adding “All currently open lifts and terrain will remain operational daily through April 13. After that, frontside chairs 5, 6, 10, and 11 will stay open through our new closing day, April 20. Chair 1, Timber Creek, and backside chairs and terrain will close for the season after April 13."
Kirkwood joins Northstar, which also announced an extra week to the 20th. Elsewhere in California, both Palisades Tahoe and Mammoth have said they plan to remain open almost another two months through to the Memorial Day holiday weekend at the end of May.
North of the border Banff’s Sunshine Village is also staying open well into May as usual, and it has just announced extended slope opening hours so that guests can ski or ride for longer each day.
The resort, located 90 minutes west of Calgary's International Airport, has extended its chairlift opening times to 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm for Jackrabbit to allow guests to enjoy an extra couple of spring time runs.
“The past month has been Banff Sunshine's snowiest of the season so far, with 91cm (over 2 feet) of Canada's Best Snow accumulating in the first half of the month. This year Banff’s Sunshine Village is wide open daily for skiing and snowboarding until May 19th, 2025,” a resort spokesperson said.
