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If you missed out on the big West Coast dumps, or just haven鈥檛 gotten your fill, you still have time. The plentiful snow that鈥檚 graced the western half of the country is leading to longer ski seasons and extended closing dates. Already, several Colorado resorts鈥攊ncluding , Aspen, and Copper鈥攈ave officially extended their ski season, as have several .

But the decision to stay open is more complicated than reviewing snowfall totals. According to Katherine Fuller, the senior communications manager at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Colorado, the decision to stay open is dependent on several factors.

听 听 听 It’s Season Pass Season:

鈥淪eason length also depends on temperatures. Our super-high elevation plus north-facing terrain are very helpful, and so snowfall is not the only factor. If it stays cold in the spring, that helps the snow stick around longer,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur season length also has to do with our snowmaking efforts that help set a solid, lasting base.”

With so many elements to consider, it鈥檚 no wonder many resorts wait until the last minute to announce a season extension. These ski areas, however, are renowned for their late closures鈥攁nd a few got so much snow this year, we have a hard time believing spring skiing won鈥檛 turn into early summer turns.

Ski Areas Where You Can Ski Into Late Spring and Beyond

Timberline, Ore.

Timberline is legendary among skiers who can鈥檛 fulfill their turn quota in the standard 6-month ski season. The ski area regularly stays open until early September thanks to its location high on Mt. Hood, a volcano that is also Oregon鈥檚 tallest peak at 11,245 feet.

Historically, most of the mountain closes in late May, which is when the Palmer Express quad starts turning, providing ski access from early June through early September. The result is an impressive 10-month ski season.

Unlike many Western ski areas, Timberline is their historical snowfall average, but even if the ski season doesn鈥檛 extend further into September this year, it still boasts the longest ski season in North America.

• Expected closing date: early September

Palisades Tahoe, Calif.

It鈥檚 been a snowy year at Palisades Tahoe, with their website reporting so far and more on the way. That number is particularly impressive when you consider the mountain typically averages around 400 inches, a number they passed back in February.

Right now, Palisades Tahoe has a confirmed May 29 closing date, on their website that they 鈥渨ill likely extend the season beyond May,鈥� explaining that 鈥淥ur plan is to go as long as conditions allow and if that means skiing and riding into June and potentially through the 4th of July, then we鈥檙e in.鈥�

• Expected closing date: May 29 officially, but likely later

Arapahoe Basin, Colo.

This year, Arapahoe Basin will likely hold the distinction of being both the first Colorado ski area to open and the last to close. The lifts , long before most Colorado resorts, and are expected to continue through June.

According to Fuller at Arapahoe Basin, 鈥淲e are aiming to stay open until June 4, at least, but we usually don’t know when we’re going to close until a couple of weeks out. As always, we keep the season going as long as possible. We will take winter all the way down to one lift and one run,鈥� she said, making it clear that 鈥渢his is not looking like a July 4 year.” There have been seven in A Basin’s history. “But a lot depends on the snowfall we get this month and next because it will still contribute significantly to our base.鈥�

In 2021 and 2022, the ski area closed on June 6 and 5, respectively.

• Expected closing date: June 4

Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.听

Historically, Whistler Blackcomb has one of the longest ski seasons in North America thanks to a northern coastal location that blesses the peaks with around 448 inches of snow a year. As of writing, they鈥檙e sitting pretty with 285 inches and are in the middle of what is historically a snowy month at Whistler Blackcomb.

Currently, Whistler Mountain is expected to close on April 16, while Blackcomb Mountain, which has a higher elevation and sits further east, is set to .

• Expected closing date: May 22

Mammoth Mountain, Calif.

It鈥檚 been a big year for Mammoth Mountain. At the time of writing, they have 634 inches of snow at Main Lodge and over 800 at the summit. And with each passing storm they鈥檙e inching closer to the 2010/2011 season snowfall record of 668 inches at the Main Lodge. No matter how this season pans out, they鈥檝e had a banner year, easily surpassing their 400-inch annual average.

The ski area hasn鈥檛 released an official closing date, but it did announce today (March 21) that it plans to stay open through July. 鈥淲e expect to be skiing and riding long into summer,鈥� said Lauren Burke, the communications director for Mammoth Mountain. 鈥淲e are sitting on a historic amount of snow right now鈥攖hat, coupled with our high elevation, allows us to regularly stay open into summer.鈥�

Burke said they hope to have a more concrete closing date in the next few weeks, but we鈥檙e expecting big things and some killer summer skiing from Mammoth.听

• Expected closing date: At least through July

Other Resorts That Have Extended Their Seasons (as of March 21)

• Steamboat, Colo.: April 16
• Mt. Ashland, Ore.: April 23
• Alta, Utah: April 23
• Aspen Mountain: April 23
• Park City, Utah: April 23
• Kirkwood, Calif.: April 30
• Copper Mountain, Colo.: May 7
• Snowbird, Utah: Daily through May 14, weekends through May 29
• Solitude, Utah: Daily through May, weekends through May 21

The post Here鈥檚 Where We’ll Be Skiing in Late Spring鈥攁nd Maybe Even Into Summer appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

As skiers, we put a lot of stock in certain resort attributes: snow, challenge, and lifts are among the top-three qualities that readers rank as most important when choosing a ski area. But terrain variety鈥攖he amount of different types of terrain鈥攊s also incredibly important, especially if you have skiers of various abilities in your crew. After all, it鈥檚 a vacation, and the overarching theme should be having fun. Getting stuck on runs that are too steep, or lapping low-angle groomers all day when you want to be bashing bumps, isn鈥檛 exactly fun.听

See the Whole List:

Our advice: don鈥檛 overlook variety of terrain as a highly important metric when choosing a ski resort to visit. The following three ranked at the top of Ski magazine鈥檚 2022 Reader Resort Survey for their varied terrain, so we asked around and identified some of the best runs and pods for every ability level at each. If you鈥檙e striving to satisfy a family or ski group with beginner-to-expert skiers, consider one of these for your next trip.

Top Three Resorts in the West for Terrain Variety

No. 3:

Known for some of the best views in skidom, as well as hike-to and backcountry access that attracts world-class skiers to the region, serves up a surprising amount of varied terrain throughout its 2,000-plus skiable acres. The best part? You don鈥檛 have to be a rippin鈥� skier to take in these San Juan vistas, thanks to lower-angle terrain that tops out at elevations as high as 12,000 feet. Here鈥檚 where to find the goods at Telluride.

Terrain-Variety Score: 9.27/10

What Readers Say

鈥淭elluride is a skier鈥檚 mountain. There is terrain for beginners to experts, with amazing backcountry areas that will challenge the best and open horizons for newbies.鈥�

Best Beginner Terrain at Telluride听

Sundance: Although upper Sundance is rated blue and lower Sundance is green, as a whole we鈥檇 call the run a wonderful advanced-beginner trail that鈥檚 long, wide, and boasts just enough pitch to help you get moving at a good clip. It鈥檚 also located in a pod comprised of all beginner terrain, so you needn鈥檛 worry about speeding yahoos taking you out. Chair: Sunshine Express

Best Intermediate Terrain at Telluride听

See Forever: Revelation Bowl is wide-open, usually groomed, and serves up views of the knife-tipped San Juans that are among the most scenic at the resort. The rest of Revelation Bowl is best for experts, but See Forever offers intermediates the chance to soak in the same vistas on an iconic run that鈥檚 a long, cruisey dream. Chair: Revelation听

Best Expert Terrain at Telluride听

Bushwacker: All the terrain off the Plunge chair will give experts a chance to strut their stuff, and Bushwacker, with its consistently steep, thigh-burning pitch, is one of the most classic black diamonds at the resort. More challenge? No problem. Double-black Power Line adds moguls to kick it up a notch. Chair: Plunge听

Best Extreme Terrain at Telluride听

Gold Hill Chutes: The hike-to terrain off Palmyra Peak may not be that much steeper than what you鈥檒l find off Plunge, but add in a 15-to-30-minute hike at 13,000 feet, and exposed rocks and such, and this becomes an endeavor for only the fittest and strongest of skiers. The chutes themselves are technical, with rocks, stumps, cliffs, and hazards. But when the snow is good, there鈥檚 no better way to get the adrenaline pumping at Telluride. Chair: Revelation听

No. 2:

Most people think of the iconic Big Couloir when it comes to but this massive resort really does have all types of terrain鈥攁nd lots of it. With an astounding 5,800 skiable acres that range from the mellow cruisers of Spanish Peaks to the triple blacks off the Lone Peak tram, Big Sky delivers in spades. Even beginners could spend a week here exploring the greens and not get bored. Here鈥檚 what Big Sky has to offer when it comes to terrain variety.

Terrain-Variety Score: 9.39/10

What Readers Say

鈥�Big Sky is a large resort with an outstanding lift system that makes crowds almost nonexistent. There is a great variety of terrain for all abilities, and its grooming is both impeccable and there is lots of it. I would recommend Big Sky to almost all type of skiers, from families, couples and groups and to those seeking the most challenging steeps or those who are focused on cruising groomers.鈥澨�

Best Beginner Terrain at Big Sky

Jaywalk: The green runs off the Explorer chair are the most accessible beginner terrain on the mountain and just long enough to really get your ski legs under you. When you feel like you鈥檝e got more stamina, ride the Swift Current six-pack and try Jaywalk, a cruisey green with great views. Chairs: Explorer and Swift Current听

Best Intermediate Terrain at Big Sky

贬补苍驳尘补苍鈥檚: Just about anything off the Ramcharger eight-person chair will float any intermediate skier鈥檚 boat, but especially long groomers such as Hangman鈥檚 and Ambush. Chair: Ramcharger Express听

Best Expert Terrain at Big Sky

Liberty Bowl: It鈥檚 easy to become so enthralled with all the frontside terrain at Big Sky that the back side gets forgotten. Experts, don鈥檛 make that mistake. Liberty Bowl has some of the most fun, moderately angled terrain at the resort, and it funnels down into awesome glades to boot. Chair: Lone Peak听

Best Extreme Terrain at Big Sky

North Summit Snowfield: This wide-open, north-facing terrain empties into a series of seriously steep chutes. Sign out with ski patrol, and ask about conditions and where to find the best lines. Chair: Lone Peak

No. 1:

That ranks No. 1 in terrain variety in the Reader Resort Survey year after year speaks to its ability to serve all skiers and abilities on its 4,700 acres spread across two distinct peaks. Yes, there鈥檚 amazing above-tree-line bowls, chutes, and couloirs. But there鈥檚 also winding groomers and wide corduroy-plastered cruisers that seem to go on and on. With over 5,000 vertical feet, that shouldn鈥檛 come as a surprise. Here鈥檚 a sampling of Whistler Blackcomb鈥檚 impressive terrain variety.

Terrain-Variety Score: 9.54/10

What Readers Say

鈥�Spanky鈥檚 Ladder, long, sweet-pitch giant slalom runs, Secret Bowl, Symphony & Harmony Bowls, and Whistler鈥檚 double-black runs make for the most outstanding variety in skiing across the continent. Whistler Blackcomb is the granddaddy of skiing in North America.鈥�

Best Beginner Terrain at Whistler Blackcomb

Green Line: Whistler offers incredible opportunities for novice skiers to get up off the bunny slopes and take in some of the Coast Range views. Green Line is the location of the famous Inukshuk stone structure, plus you can see the famous Black Tusk volcano in the distance. Chair: Seventh Heaven Express

Best Intermediate Terrain at Whistler Blackcomb

Symphony Bowl: More of a terrain pod than a trail, per se, Symphony Bowl is striped with blue cruisers, including main drag Adagio, the Glissando Glades鈥攚idely spaced, low-angle trees鈥攁nd Encore Ridge. It鈥檚 truly a playground for intermediates and a testament to Whistler鈥檚 variety amid blue-rated terrain. Chair: Symphony Express

Best Expert Terrain at Whistler Blackcomb

Blackcomb Glacier: The Showcase T-bar is an experience in itself and something all high-intermediate to expert skiers should ride. Showcase Bowl is rated as blue, but it drops into a web of black-diamond trails and glades, including Dave鈥檚 Day Off and Overbite. Chair: Showcase

Best Extreme Terrain at Whistler Blackcomb

Saudan Couloir: Home to the Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme, this Blackcomb Mountain legend is steep, technical, and narrow, making it one of the premier spots on the mountain to test one鈥檚 skills. Chair: Seventh Heaven Express

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Cyclists who love the Dark Crystal Trail, located in Whistler, British Columbia, have Scott Veach to thank for its creation. Veach is a mountain biker who has been building trails for 20 years. With his as his mode of transport, he spends 40 days annually working on and improving Dark Crystal, which winds through old-growth forest and over moss-covered granite rocks. This film by 听shares Veach鈥檚 story.

The post What It Takes to Build a Mountain-Bike Trail appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

On Tuesday, March 30, Whistler Blackcomb, the听, closed for the season听eight weeks ahead of schedule. The decision was made听after the British Columbia government ordered the resort to shut down until April 19听to quell the spread of COVID-19. Originally, Whistler Mountain was scheduled to close April 18, and Blackcomb Peak was slated to stay open until May 24. Neither will reopen this season.

At a press conference on March 29, provincial health minister Dr. Bonnie Henry cited a surge in cases in the Whistler community听and the need to curb travel-related spread. New cases of COVID-19 in the Howe Sound area, where Whistler is located, rose from a total of听听during听the first week of March to听. The worrisome Brazil P.1 variant, first discovered in January, is also on the rise throughout British Columbia. The Globe and Mail reported that it is the of the variant outside Brazil.听

P.1听is more contagious, can cause more severe symptoms, and, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control, may be able to reinfect people who鈥檝e already had the virus. It also may not be as responsive to current treatments and vaccines as milder coronavirus strains. New cases of the variant identified in other regions of听Canada have been linked back to travelers spending time in the Whistler area. The surge has since听sparked other restrictions, including a three-week ban on indoor dining and drinking, indoor group fitness classes, and indoor worship services.

Whistler Blackcomb was the only ski resort ordered to close, but its decision to immediately end the season caused a domino effect. The next day,听 posted on Instagram that it was ceasing operations for the remainder of the season due to COVID-19.听 also announced that its听season would end early, on April 5 instead of April 11. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the province听 1,013 new cases of the virus, its highest-ever single-day total.

The scenario is a replay of last March, when ski-resort towns like , became early COVID-19 hot spots. On March 10, 2020, after the World Health Organization officially declared the听pandemic, ski areas everywhere began shutting down early.听Whistler Blackcomb鈥檚 parent company, Vail Resorts,听听last season, on March 15.听

The 2020鈥�21 season was meant to be different, with in place for social distancing and sanitation, and restrictions on the number of people who could attend group ski lessons. Whistler Blackcomb was one of many large resorts (including 听and听听in Colorado听and 听in Utah)听to implement a reservation system to manage mountain capacity. Skiers at Whistler Blackcomb were required to purchase lift tickets ahead of time online. Even season pass holders had to reserve ski days in advance. Masks were mandatory, regardless of a person鈥檚 vaccination status or the rules in their home state.听

The changes seemed to be working. In some instances, ski resorts were even praised for not contributing to an increase in COVID-19. In听January, for example, public-health officials in eight tourism-dependent communities of听Colorado鈥檚 high country 听that they had not linked any outbreaks to ski areas.听

鈥淲hile the Provincial Health Order caught us all by surprise, we fully support the government鈥檚 direction and we鈥檙e doing our part to comply,鈥� said Geoff Buchheister, vice president听and chief operating officer of Whistler Blackcomb, in a statement issued after business hours on Tuesday. 鈥淎t this time, we believe the best thing we can do to support the order is to begin winding down winter operations. Our full attention will now turn to getting our resort ready to safely open for summer.鈥� Summertime operations include downhill mountain biking, hiking, and skiing on Horstman Glacier.

Technically, Canadians aren鈥檛 supposed to be traveling outside of their communities, let alone provinces, to ski this year. But it鈥檚 a government recommendation, not a mandate, and it鈥檚 not enforced. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a little bit confusing, from a provincial public-health standpoint,鈥� says Robin Richardson, a Whistler Blackcomb season pass holder who drives 50 minutes from his home in Squamish to ski. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no nonessential travel, but a major tourist hub is open.鈥�

And there鈥檚 no doubt that tourists are there. 鈥淚t鈥檚 busier than a lot of people expected,鈥� says Mike Douglas, a professional skier and filmmaker who鈥檚 lived in Whistler for more than 30 years. 鈥淚t feels like there have been people from everywhere here, but especially from eastern Canada.鈥�

Still, locals were caught off guard by the province鈥檚 order. Whistler mayor Jack Crompton told听 that the community was in a state of shock. 鈥淣o one was expecting it, because of how well Whistler Blackcomb was managing the mountain,鈥� says Whistler resident and skier H茅l猫ne Castonguay, a retired nurse who was skiing Whistler Blackcomb on its final day in operation. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always going to be some person not wearing a mask, but it was 99 percent safe.鈥澨�

Whistler already managed a spike in COVID-19 cases, in January. Officials attributed the numbers at that time to holiday travel and celebration. So for spring break in March, the province tried to be proactive, putting Whistler on a priority list for vaccinations. 鈥淭hey did a three-day vaccination blitz in town and vaccinated a ton of people in the community,鈥� says Douglas. 鈥淓veryone was really jazzed for spring.鈥� But the measures weren鈥檛 enough.听

Some locals have taken to the internet to express听, but the majority of the online responses have been supportive, thanking the resort for the four months they were able to operate.

Others are processing the situation with wry humor, like the Instagram account听. The order to close the resort was delivered on a perfect bluebird day, and the account听 of actor Michael Cera smiling brightly, with the words:听鈥淚t鈥檚 a great day…鈥� Below, another photo of Cera looking off camera, suddenly despondent, continued the phrasing:听鈥渢o be sad.鈥澨�

The post Whistler, Revelstoke, and Big White Close Due to COVID appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 not all that often that your accommodation听is the cheapest part of your ski weekend. But if you鈥檝e never considered hostels to be an option, you鈥檝e been overspending: boutique bunkhouses are multiplying in the United States, and they often offer many of the same amenities you鈥檇 find in a nice hotel at a fraction of the price.

These hostels in prime ski areas in the U.S. and Canada are all under $100 a night. That鈥檚 cheap enough to justify taking a vacation day to ski for a third day. Or call in sick鈥攚e won鈥檛 tell anyone.

Loge Camps

Mount Shasta, California

听is a small chain that buys old hotels and motels and renovates them into hipper spaces. Its Mount Shasta location, about 15 minutes from the slopes, offers traditional bunk-style hostel rooms as well as private, dog-friendly options (from $50). Expect to find a chill vibe here, where you might even make a few new friends at the听brand-new caf茅 and bar and听fire pit, to the sound of听occasional live music. Come spring, the property will also introduce a few campsites.听Cross-country skis听and snowshoes听will be available for rent on-site starting this month (from $15).

Park City Hostel

Park City, Utah

Stay minutes away from Park City鈥檚 ski resorts听for a tenth鈥攐r less鈥攐f the cost of staying at a local听on-mountain resort. 听(from $33)听is close to free public transportation that runs to all of the nearby ski areas, and it also runs its own trips to Snowbasin once a week. There are bunk rooms,听private rooms for couples and families, a spacious common room and kitchen with a fireplace and pool table, and plenty of areas to store your gear.

Homestyle Hostel Vermont

Ludlow, Vermont

听is just a mile from , and you鈥檒l find amenities here you鈥檙e likely not used to from a hostel. All guests get complementary breakfast and can take a free shuttle from the property to the mountain. In addition to traditional bunk rooms, it听also offers a听variety of private accommodations for couples, families, and larger groups (from $55). Rooms are outfitted with white-noise machines to defend against snorers, and there鈥檚 an on-site restaurant, open on the weekends, so you can eat close to home after a long day of shredding.

The SnowMansion

Arroyo Seco, New Mexico

, in the artsy village of Arroyo Seco, has rooms varying from bunks for single travelers to private rooms for up to ten听people (from $38). It鈥檚 about 20 minutes from both Taos Ski Village听and the town of Taos鈥攚ell worth an afternoon of exploration for its art galleries, incredible food, and historic homes. The hostel offers a particularly good deal for skiers who need to travel with pets: for听an extra $30 a day, you can leave your pet at the hostel while you鈥檙e skiing, and the staff will walk them and make sure they have fresh water.

Vail Bunkhouse

Minturn, Colorado

听is between Vail and Beaver Creek, about ten听minutes from each resort, in a small town with a lot of character and plenty of walkable dining options. Unlike a traditional bunk room, where privacy is at a minimum (if it exists at all), the beds here are a bit more podlike, with a wall that covers about two-thirds of the bed and a curtain to close it off entirely (from $52). This provides a bit of insulation from snorers and makes for听a super-cozy place to snuggle up with a book or journal. The property also offers a six-bunk room that can be rented in its entirety for a group of friends or family听and a four-bunk room that converts into two bunks and a king-size bed. Guests receive a 20 percent discount on听rentals from , which are brought right to the hostel.

Bivvi Hostel

Breckenridge, Colorado

is about as posh as it gets for a hostel. When you walk in and see the bright-blue antler chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling and the massive stone fireplace, you might wonder at first whether you鈥檝e wandered into the wrong place. But you haven鈥檛鈥攆or a fraction of the cost of other Breckenridge hotels, and just a ten-minute walk to downtown, you can snag a supercomfy twin bunk here, free homemade breakfasts,听and access to the hot tub (from $70). If you want to get fancy, the hostel also offers private rooms, including one with its own tub.

Whistler Pangea Pod

Whistler, British Columbia

听offers 88 spacious one- and two-person pods in eight听separate rooms, including one for women only (from $43). Pods have full-size beds鈥攕o two adults can share one鈥攁nd lockable luggage storage. There鈥檚 also space to keep听skis and bikes听in the so-called Toy Box.听Pangea Pod has a rooftop patio to enjoy the听view, and an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails.

The Hostel

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

听undeniably boasts听the best location on this list and听a screaming deal at that鈥攊t鈥檚 right in Teton Village, about a one-minute walk to the gondola at Jackson Hole. Both private rooms and bunks are available, as well as an array of amusements to help you get to know your fellow skiers, like Ping-Pong, pool, shuffleboard, and foosball tables (from $32). The property听also has an area to wax your skis听and accommodates pets in private rooms for听an extra $10 a night.

The post 8 Crazy Affordable Ski Hostels in the U.S. and Canada appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 no surprise that the best way to save money on a ski trip is to plan ahead. Way ahead. Wait until the last minute, and you鈥檒l pay top dollar on lift tickets, flights, and lodging. Of course, booking ahead means you鈥檒l take a gamble on snow conditions, since you won鈥檛 know if there will be fresh powder or week-old hardpack until closer to go-time. But the savings you鈥檒l get from these simple tricks makes the toss-up worth it.听

Go Early or Late Season

Resorts give out the best deals if you鈥檙e willing to come at the very beginning or very end of the season. Those are also听the least-crowded months to visit, due to uncertain snowfall. , California, will sell听 throughout December, including weekends and holidays, as long as you buy them online at least two days ahead of time.

, Utah, is offering听 if you book a trip for two nights or more at participating accommodations from November 23 to听December 19 and March 27 to April 19. , in Colorado, has听鈥攁 $50 savings鈥攑lus deals on rentals and lessons if you come for spring break and purchase tickets online at least 48 hours ahead of time.

Get Free Kids鈥櫶齈asses听

Going on ski trips as a family can be ridiculously expensive. Between lift tickets, ski lessons, hotels, flights, and hot chocolate breaks, it all adds up. These ski resorts make it easier to come as a family. At , Maine, between January 5 to 10, if you stay three nights or longer at a resort hotel, your听鈥攊ncluding lessons, tickets, and gear rental. At Colorado鈥檚 or 听and New Mexico鈥檚 or ,听kids ages 10 and under get a 鈥攏o fine print, no blackout dates.

The听听program from Vail Resorts听offers four free days of skiing, including first-timer lessons and gear rental, at resorts across Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia, including , , , and听.听In New York, a听 grants free lift tickets and discounted lessons at more than 20 ski areas, like , , and , if you apply online in advance. At , Colorado, if you purchase an adult five-or-more-day lift ticket,听kids get . At , Colorado, if you stay two or more nights in resort lodging, you鈥檒l get听 for the under-12 crowd. California鈥檚 听guarantees free passes for the same age group any day of winter.

Don鈥檛 Forget听Discounted Lodging with Your Ikon or Epic Pass

If you bought an听Ikon or Epic Pass, you听already have a season pass to dozens of world-class ski areas. But remember that they鈥檒l also get you more savings on the ground. Some of the best deals include听, Idaho, where Epic Pass holders听听on lodging at resort properties like the听听(from $299) if you come during select dates, and at least听听at hotels like the听听(from $277) and the听听(from $50) in the village at听, BC.

Ikon Pass holders get听听at听, Wyoming, if you travel during specific weeks. Stay at听听(from $199), at the base of听, California, for听. Mountain Collective and Ikon Pass holders also get听听at the听听(from $450), near the base of听, Colorado, when you stay two or more nights.

Visit Midweek

Weekends are always the busiest and most expensive time to visit a ski area. If you can plan a midweek trip, you鈥檒l save money and avoid crowds. , Vermont, sells听 to its Mount听Ellen terrain on Thursdays throughout the season. , in Nevada鈥檚 Tahoe National Forest,听has throwback Tuesdays and Thursdays for most of the winter, with听. And West Virginia鈥檚听听has a听 that鈥檚 $99 for two people per night, including lift tickets and overnight lodging.

At , in British Columbia, a includes a stay in downtown Nelson鈥檚 , plus lift tickets for $86 per听day, per person, if you stay for three or more nights.听

Save While Giving听Back

Since 2008, , Oregon, has held听. Visitors can buy deeply discounted $49 lift tickets in advance and听use them on select dates throughout winter. This season, the dates are January 6 to听9; January 13 to 16; and April 27 through the end of the season, which is usually sometime in May. Mount听Bachelor donates 100 percent of the money raised from the tickets to its partner nonprofits around central Oregon, like the , , the , and more. Tickets are limited, so get them while they last. Meanwhile, at , California,听 take place throughout the season. You get a lift ticket for $25, and $5 from each ticket is donated to the .

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Spearhead Ridge, a听horseshoe-shaped听traverse connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains in British Columbia, is听a backcountry ski zone renowned for its easy access. But it鈥檚 just this access that makes听the skiers in this film from 听second-guess whether or not they鈥檙e loving it to death.

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From the filmmaking collective , Trail鈥檚 Alive is an all-female mountain-bike production featuring riders , , and many others, showcasing their talent on two wheels.

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It doesn鈥檛 matter if you鈥檙e a longtime rider or a total newbie听at these听bike festivals,听the perks of being there are numerous鈥攜ou can stock up on the latest gear (many festivals offer bike demos as part of the entry fee), learn critical skills,听join group rides, or grab a map and head out on your own. When you鈥檙e done riding, return听to the grounds for what听good festivals do best: music, food, and beer.

Sedona Mountain Bike Festival

Sedona, Arizona

Every March, the听 brings together thousands of singletrack fans for a laid-back gathering of riding, beer drinking, and gear testing. Its听three-day event pass grants access to demo fleets from more than 90 top mountain-bike brands, shuttled drop-offs to the area鈥檚 best trails, skills clinics, live music, food-truck fare, and craft beer. Riders get to traverse the scenic trail system within the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest, and proceeds from the event go toward听its maintenance.听 (from $169), a 20-minute shuttle ride from next year鈥檚听event location at Posse Grounds Park,听has nine A-frame chalets that sleep up to five听and five two-person studios, plus an outdoor pool and private entry听to trailheads like Bell Rock and Slim Shady.

Sea Otter Classic

Monterey, California

As one of the oldest and most well-attended festivals in the country, the annual , held on the Pacific听coast in April, is a sight to behold. Started in 1991, the four-day gathering has a massive gear expo with over a thousand brands, as well as stunt shows, kids鈥� programs, and road and mountain-bike races for elites and recreational riders, who show up in numbers nearing 10,000. The competitions听cover almost every discipline, from cross-country and downhill to dual slalom, plus noncompetitive races for all ages. Camp on-site (from $70) or rent an RV from nearby 听(from $150) for the full festival experience. In 2017, the event expanded to Europe, too, with the still growing taking place every May in Costa Brava, Spain.

Crankworx

Whistler, British Columbia

is the ten-day mountain-bike party that has taken over this resort town听every August since 2004. Watch as the pros battle it out in downhill or best-trick contests, sign up for a women鈥檚 or adaptive group ride, get the family involved through Kidsworx, or check out the accompanying photo and film competitions. The centrally located听 (from $225) has 192 modern听rooms and a valet bike service. The event has also gone global: you鈥檒l now find Crankworx in New Zealand and Austria, too.

Pedalpalooza听

Portland, Oregon

,听the monthlong tradition that takes place every June,听is as much a worthy bike festival as it is a way to experience the true spirit of Portland. It's听wacky collection of free, volunteer-organized events and gatherings includes听galactic disco rides, a banh mi鈥損owered bike tour of the city, and the notorious local version of World Naked Bike Ride, which sees upward听of 10,000 participants. In true Portland style, there are group rides for every sector of the community, from vegans and听remote workers to human-rights activists and bookstore enthusiasts. The recently opened听 (from $179) has 179 design-forward rooms, plus bikes and film cameras to rent from an on-site gear shed.

Virginia Trail Festival

Stokesville, Virginia

Held over Memorial Day weekend, the听听takes place within the 200,000-acre Shenandoah National Park, which is an easy 90-minute听drive from Washington, D.C.听Organized by local bike-touring outfitter Shenandoah Mountain Touring, it鈥檚 a family-friendly campout at the听听(from $50), where you鈥檒l have access to up to 500 miles of purpose-built mountain-bike trails from your tent and group meals prepared by volunteer cooks. After your ride, take a plunge in the North River, which flows through the campground. At night, post up around the campfire or stargaze from the on-site observatory.

Alyeska Bike Festival

Girdwood, Alaska

More and more听ski resorts are realizing they need to attract summertime visitors鈥攁nd what better way to do that than by throwing a killer bike festival? Alyeska Ski Resort, located an hour by car from Anchorage, hosts the听听at the start of听September to mark the final weekend of its summertime听bike park. Participants can ride lift-accessed downhill mountain-bike trails, sign up for dirt-jump contests and enduro races, or enter more lighthearted events like a tractor pull or pond crossing. Stay at the 300-room, ch芒teau-style听 (from $299) so you can hop on the aerial tram at听sunset and soak in the saltwater pool at the end of the day.

Rebecca鈥檚 Private Idaho听

Ketchum, Idaho

Join professional cyclist Rebecca Rusch in her hometown of Ketchum for听, a bike festival over Labor Day weekend that features gravel races of varying lengths, from 18 miles to a four-day stage race. The event raises funds for bike and trail-building organizations. To counter its growing popularity, Rusch limits听the number of registrants to around 1,000听in order听to keep the vibe more low-key. That said, the festival ends with a raucous beer-guzzling, gelande-quaffing听contest. Many of the group rides start from the听 (from $385), which has 93 rooms and听six suites, and Four Mountain Sports, an on-site听bike shop that offers听demos and rentals from the brands Giant and Norco.

Fruita Fat Tire Festival

Fruita, Colorado

The trail-heavy town of Fruita is a verified mountain-biker鈥檚 hub in Colorado. Many of those knobby-tire enthusiasts unite for one weekend in May every year for the fun-loving听. You can test out new bikes from the demo fleet, listen to live bluegrass from a central beer garden, and join skill camps and guided group rides through听wine country and听Colorado National Monument听and over Douglas Pass. The company听 has a number of vacation rentals, from downtown bungalows to a teardrop camper.

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