The 23/24 ski season wrapped up earlier than normal for us on April 21st when both Heavenly and Sierra at Tahoe closed for the season. Last year we skied until July and posted our year end wrap post more than 2 months later! Mammoth didn’t get much snow this year so will be closing before our schedule allows us to do our normal ski camping trip sadly.
Season Recap
Most of the Tahoe area resorts did OK with about 80% of normal snowfall, but it didn’t come until January which wasn’t great for our holiday plans. We hardly used our Sierra at Tahoe unlimited passes this year because we got them to ski mostly holidays and they only had the beginner terrain open over Christmas. Half of the snow that did fall at our house came in one huge storm in early March which blocked the roads and trapped us in the house for days. So it goes for a sport that is dependent on weather!
So 38 days for me and 30 for AiRung is the lowest number in years, but we did at least make to to resort #99 Marmot Basin in mid March. And there were plenty of great times at our local Tahoe resorts as always.
Alberta Trip
The trip to Alberta to ski Marmot Basin in mid March was a huge success. We spent a week up there and re-skied Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine in addition to Marmot. Ironically, the day we skied our 99th resort was super warm and slushy by noon. Jasper recorded a record high temp of 68F. We had been so worried about frigid temps and we got one of the warmest days of the ski season!
We were 2 days early because right after that temperatures plummeted and a prolonged storm dumped 20-30″ of snow at Lake Louise and Sunshine Village over several days. Each of the next 3 ski days was a powder day. Lake Louise is one of our top 10 favorite resorts and we were thrilled to ski it with fresh snow.
On the drive up to Jasper from Calgary, we stopped at the Yamnuska wolfdog sanctuary which is something we always do when we see one. We are both into animal rescue (we have 2 rescue dogs currently) and like to support those places.
Big changes…
After the Alberta trip, we cherished the last 6 days we will be skiing in Tahoe for a while. We’ve had a house there for 19 years and it was our primary residence for the last 4 of those. For many reasons we decided to change it up and make our Bay Area house our primary. We will be swapping out the Tahoe house for a place in Arnold, CA near Bear Valley. It’s a lot easier to get to and an hour closer. We loved Tahoe and have many of our best ski memories from the hundreds of days skiing Heavenly, Kirkwood and Sierra at Tahoe.
Next year
We have 2 major trips planned for next year: Resort 100 is Alyeska which will be our first time skiing in Alaska, planned for early March. And after talking about it for years we are finally planning a trip to ski in Japan in early February if everything works out. Can’t wait!
Thanks for reading and see you back here in the fall!
Hi! I have read almost all of your ski resort reviews !
A lot of reading. They are very informative and helpful!
However, I still don’t know where to take my 14 yo ! lol
He is intermediate not expert snowboarder! Has a lot of experience /practice in small resorts! And I promised a more challenging destination for his 14th bday! First time to a major ski/resort destination.
Dates: March 1-7 2025
We are looking at Montana, Lake Tahoe area, Colorado or even Utah for the right place! I looked at Canada but flights/logistics not that great.
Prefer proximity to airport within 1-2 hours,
Not huge crowds but expect some.
Moderate budget not cheap but not a years mortgage.
I love non ski activities particularly snowmobiling
I was hoping you could point me in the right direction
Or offer any advice would be much appreciated as I am overwhelmed with the options!
Thank you for any advice
Tonya
Hi Tonya,
1-2 hours from an airport, intermediate snowboarder, not too expensive, early March, and snowmobiling nearby sounds like Grand Targhee, WY! Fly into Jackson, stay in Victor or Driggs. If you have a season pass ANYWHERE else and wait until March 17th or after you can also ski at Jackson Hole for half price.
Tahoe is tough because you need either an Epic or Icon pass to ski the big resorts there. Otherwise it is prohibitively expensive. Mt. Rose is pretty decent if you stay in Reno and you can buy cheaper tickets in advance. Pop over to Diamond Peak for a day. Palisades offers a 4-pack for that age for $146 per day which might work for you. You will want to stay in Truckee for that one though.
Colorado is mostly requiring pass products now as well, but you ski at Loveland, A-Basin, and Copper staying in Frisco or Dillon. Copper has $99 Thursdays during that time period, purchased in advance. That’s one of our favorites. Huge mountain with great intermediate terrain.
Montana is generally cheaper but the only truly big mountain experience there close to an airport is at Big Sky. Tickets purchased in advance there are fairly reasonable for a 14-year old at $135-165. The adult tickets are over $200 though. Spend a day at Bridger Bowl if staying in Bozeman.
Hope that helps!
Hello,
I am looking for a skiiing option in April 2025…
We are celebrating a 40th anniversary and want to do something new, special and different
I know April would make it difficult, that is why we are considering Canada, specifically Quebec, I have already read your reviews for Mont-Sainte-Anne, Mont-Tremblant & Le Massif. Very detailed, thanks for making this for us!
I just want to know which one would you recomend for begginers and snow conditions.
Appreciate your help and advice!
Ivette
Out of the 3 resorts we skied in Quebec, Le Massif has the best situation for beginners with beginner pods at the top and the bottom, with a couple of long easy runs that connect the two. All 3 close around April 20th so I hope your trip is in the first half of April! Le Massif claims they keep the beginner chairs at the top and bottom open until then.
I wouldn’t bank on Tremblant even having snow in April in a normal year, but this year is way above normal so I’d probably take that as my second choice. Of course there are lots of other factors that go into planning an ideal ski destination and they are different for everyone. Tremblant has a great base village and Mont Sainte Anne is very close to Quebec City which make those more attractive in that regard.
Have fun!