Hanging it up
Despite dreams of a March Hail Mary, this weekend will be the end of the 2025-26 season for local ski areas.
“Due to unseasonably warm conditions, Purgatory's closing day will be this Sun, March 29. Our teams have put in the work, but there is no way to delay the inevitable any longer,” read an email from the resort.
To add insult to injury, the annual pond skim has also been cancelled, but Purg has a few other tricks up its sleeve for season-end festivities. The ski area will be closing out its 60th season with a beach party featuring a rail jam, costume contest and a color throw at 3 p.m. (Not to worry, we are assured that the colors are FDA-approved, nontoxic and environmentally friendly, but goggles are recommended.) There will also be tunes from DJ Noonz and Forest Thump, as well as $2 beers and $4 shots and cocktails (cheaper than gas!)
Reporting a 16” base, the resort reminds skiers to ride with caution and expect variable conditions and unmarked obstacles. Better yet, maybe just stick to the beach.
Up the road, Silverton Mountain has also announced its final day will be this Sunday. “Mother Nature had other plans this year – and we respect it,” they wrote in an email and Instagram post this week.
In addition to a full day of unguided skiing and riding, Silverton will be hosting its annual “Brewski” on Sunday, featuring a commemorative pint glass and tastings from Ska, Fenceline, Steamworks and Carver’s for $20.
Across the pass with a base of 35”, Telluride is still holding out hope for its scheduled closing day of Sun., April 5.
Farther afield, other ski areas are also throwing in the towel, including Ski Cooper, Powderhorn and Sunlight. Monarch will close Sunday.
However, a few holdouts are clinging to their original closing dates, including Vail (April 19); Winter Park/Mary Jane (April 12); Copper (April 26); Aspen Mountain (April 19); Snowmass and Aspen Highlands (April 12); Crested Butte (April 5); and Beaver Creek (April 12).
Breckenridge and A-Basin pledge to stay open as long conditions permit.
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