Got Spring Fever? Go Ski!

Spring means longer days, sunny slopes, springs savings and plenty of parties. It’s one of the best times to hit the mountain to enjoy soft conditions and endless activities. As temperatures rise and the sun sticks around longer the après scene moves outdoors and Vermont ski and snowboard areas load up on music, beer, pond skimming, maple and competitive events. Every March weekend in Vermont is chock full of celebratory occasions and resorts are offering special spring deals on top of it all.

Check out what’s happening at Vermont resorts to celebrate the coming of spring:

Sugarbush Resort

March is typically one of the snowiest months of the year. While enjoying the conditions, take advantage of some of the great events this spring including an island themed Nantucket Weekend, pond skimming, Sugaring Time Festival, Gelandesprung Championship and others. Jump on some of the great deals available including $30 Thursdays at Mt. Ellen, St. Patrick’s Day $17 tickets at Mt. Ellen, and midweek lodging specials.

Mount Snow Resort

Every weekend at Mount Snow is packed with events this spring. Spend some sunny days at Carinthia, for Red Bull All Snow March 5, Carinthia Freeski Open March 11-12, and The C.O.M.P. March 19. Enter the Jack Jump World Championships on Sunday, March 6. For Saint Patrick’s Day, get $17 lift tickets when you purchase in advance online, and enjoy kegs and eggs, live music, and the Pot O’ Gold scavenger hunt for a 16-17 season pass. Bring the kids to Youth Pay Their Age Day on Sunday, March 20. Rounding out the month of March is Reggaefest the 25th-27th, filled with live music and the Duct Tape Derby and Sink or Skim contests, and on Easter join the Golden Egg Hunt for a 16-17 pass. Mount Snow will kick off April with the 8th Annual Winter Brewers Festival on the 2nd and the Glade-iator competition on Ripcord on the 3rd.

Stratton Mountain Resort

Spring at Stratton means longer days and family fun events. March is packed with events, from VT Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Event, The Vermont Open, to a southern-style block party, Marchdi Gras and a round-the-clock fundraiser, the 24 Hours of Stratton. Don’t miss the party of the season – Minus Zero Festival – featuring headliners Deadmau5, Kaskade and many more, April 9-10.

Bromley Mountain

It’s that time of year. Daylight hours are increasing, and so are good deals on lift tickets and lesson products. Spring is a lovely time to ski and ride. Get out on the sunny slopes of Bromley for less than $28 per day with the Spring Loaded Card – 4 days of sun-in-your-face skiing and riding for $109. Got kids? Enjoy 3 lessons in the all-day lesson program for ages 5-14, and save $128 with the Kidsrule Mountain Camps 3-Pack. And of course, spring wouldn’t be complete without the annual Spring Fling weekend – pond skimming, duct tape box derby, trampolines and lots of prizes, all on Saturday, March 26.

Okemo Mountain Resort

When winter loosens its grip, sunny days and soft snow create a party atmosphere. Okemo celebrates the season of goggle tans with outdoor barbecues, après ski parties and great events like Okemo’s Sugar Daze free concert featuring KT Tunstall, a totally `80s Retro Jam, Hops on the Snow Beer Festival, Slush Cup and Splash for Cash. Get a great deal on spring skiing with Okemo’s Skiesta Card – starting at $109 for unlimited lift access from March 18 through the end of the season…and apply $99 of that price toward the purchase of a new or upgraded 16/17 season pass by April 30.

Sugarbush Resort

March is typically one of the snowiest months of the year. While enjoying the conditions, take advantage of some of the great events this spring including an island themed Nantucket Weekend, pond skimming, Sugaring Time Festival, Gelandesprung Championship and others. Jump on some of the great deals available including $30 Thursdays at Mt. Ellen, St. Patrick’s Day $17 tickets at Mt. Ellen, and midweek lodging specials.

Bolton Valley

You can ride into the sunset at Bolton Valley. With western facing slopes and skiing and riding until 8pm (10pm on Fridays) spring skiing is a unique experience at Bolton Valley. Skiers and snowboarders ride in direct sunlight late into the afternoon and watch the sunset over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. This is a skier bucket list item not to be missed.

Stowe Mountain Resort

March skiing on Vermont’s highest mountain is the peak winter experience. Soft snow conditions and moderating temperatures create the template for optimum mountain conditions every late-season at Stowe. Couple that with fewer people on the mountain, a calendar of fun events, ski & stay packages that offer great value and you’ll discover the ideal time and place to ski and ride.

Events this March & April include; Retro 80’s Weekend, Stowe Sugar Slalom, shows at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center and more. Visit www.stowe.com

Trapp Family Lodge

Spring skiing at Trapp Family Lodge is the epitome of cross-country skiing in New England. What better way to spend a day than skiing corn snow, enjoying a sugar-on-snow party and a maple sugaring demonstration at our sugar house, and finish off the day with a lager or wine tasting and a great meal. The Second Annual Trapp Lager Marathon is coming up on March 12 and it will be a great time for all with amazing prizes and giveaways.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort

A spring getaway to Smugglers’ Notch promises special activities and value pricing paired with longer days, warm sunshine, and soft snow on the slopes. Vacation packages include condominium lodging, daily lift tickets, use of the indoor pool and hot tubs, snow tubing, and bouncing fun in the indoor FunZone with its climbing inflatables and games. A torchlight parade, bonfire and fireworks are a weekly favorite. From March 1 – 17, 2016, lodging and lift packages start at $119 per youth (ages 3-17) and $149 per adult per night. From March 18 – April 3, 2016, families can enjoy all of Smugglers’ award-winning activities and programs at the season’s lowest rates, with ski and stay packages starting at $99 per youth and $129 per adult per night. MapleFest from March 19 – April 3, 2016 celebrates Vermont’s maple sugaring season, and BrewFest on March 27 features a wide selection of local and regional microbrews. (www.smuggs.com; 855-814-7325)

Lisa Lynn

Editor of VT SKI + RIDE and Vermont Sports.