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The Best (and Worst) Times to Ski in 2024-2025

by Leap on October 1, 2024
13

If you've been hopping with us for a while, you know we frogs like to visit theme parks when crowds are at their lowest. OK, really, who doesn't? When it comes to hitting the slopes, we're no different. We like to pick the best time to ski so that there is plenty of powder and we're not having to fight for space on the slopes or afterward at the après spot.

With a shorter season, families don't have quite as many options when deciding the best time to ski — but overall, there are better times than others. Just like with theme parks, kids' school schedules and holidays are the biggest predictors of crowd levels — and prices! If you can schedule your ski trip around times when the tadpoles are in school, you'll find fewer crowds, more hotel availability and better rates. Now that we're selling discount hotels and lift tickets and passes to some of the top family-friendly ski resorts in the U.S., we thought it would be a most excellent time to talk about the best time to ski in Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe. Let's go!

Busiest Times to Ski

Before we get into the specific best dates for the 2024-2025 season, we'd like to talk more generally about the busiest times to ski. These are the days after Christmas and through the New Year, around Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day. Generally, these three times are considered peak season. Spring break is a popular time to hit the slopes, as well, but because it varies by school district, it isn't always considered peak peak season. The week leading up to Christmas is also a busy time (and an especially expensive time for booking a hotel), but it's not quite as busy as these others.

Best Time to Ski in 2022-2023 - Vail Village at Christmas

If you plan to ski during the busiest times, it would be best to purchase an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass early for the best savings. Peak lift tickets are pricey, but make sure to check blackout dates on the pass before you buy. There are several options and if you are not planning to ski a holiday weekend, you may be able to purchase one of the less-expensive versions.

Least Busy Times to Ski

Best Time to Ski in 2022-2023 - Ski School

Not to be confused with the best time to ski, the least busy times to ski and the least expensive times to ski are generally at the beginning and end of every ski season. While the resorts have powder-making capabilities, we generally wouldn't plan a full-on ski vacation months in advance for November or early December. You just can't predict mother nature! If the mountains get an early snowfall, then toadally go for it! Keystone usually gets good early-season snow.

The same can be said for mid-to-late April. Sometimes there is a lot of powder and the season can get extended, but that's not something you can plan ahead for. We like to think of it as a bonus — perfect for a last-minute getaway or a way to get a little more milage out of those Epic Passes and Ikon Passes. Breckenridge generally has snow until the end of May and sometimes into June! We love spring skiing with sunshine and warm temperatures, but you can run into some slushy situations at lower elevations.

Throughout the season, weekdays are generally less expensive and less crowded than weekends.

2024-2025 Predicted Ski Resort Opening Days

Hop back as the season approaches to find out the predicted ski season closing dates for the ski resorts, as weather conditions can change over the season. Note that all open and close dates are tentative and subject to change!

Estimated Resort Opening Day for 2024-2025 Season:

Keep in mind that these dates are subject to change due to snow and weather conditions.

Best Time to Ski

Best Time to Ski in 2022-2023 - Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Spring

When it comes to ski conditions, generally, early January through early March (minus the holidays) is the best time to ski. It's peak powder time, and the slopes are less crowded. Some of the resorts closest to major cities such as Breckenridge will see more crowds from local skiers on weekends, but generally, it's smooth sailing. January tends to be the coldest month. Late February and early March are perfect because of warmer temps, more sunshine and more snowfall.

That being said, we frogs do love spring skiing with sunny days and warm temperatures (aka no gloves needed), even if the snow is a little wetter. Choose a resort that has good snow late season such as Breckenridge, Palisades Tahoe or Mammoth Mountain.

Now that we've outlined the general best time to ski in Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe, let's look at what we expect to be the best dates and the busiest dates for the upcoming ski season.

Busiest Days to Ski in 2024-2025

  • New Year's Eve
  • Dec. 23, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025
  • MLK Weekend — Jan. 18-20, 2025
  • Presidents Day — Feb. 15-23, 2025

Moderate Ski Crowds in 2025

  • Spring Break — March 15 - April 12, 2025

Best Days to Ski in 2025

The least crowded days to ski are weekdays, but here is a look at the non-holiday ski periods in 2024:

  • Jan. 6 - 17, 2025
  • Jan. 21 - Feb. 14, 2025
  • Feb. 24 - March 14, 2025

Now you know the best time to ski if you're headed to Colorado, Utah or Lake Tahoe this winter. Need help deciding on the best places to ski? Look no further than our handy ski resort matrix, created with families in mind! Then book your discount hotel and Epic Pass or Ikon Pass with us. Don't froget to book your car rental or lift tickets with hotel and passes to unlock even more savings! Also, be sure to log in to your Undercover Tourist account to unlock our special savings on the Ikon Pass.

Related: When Is the Best Time to Book a Ski Vacation?

Related: How Many Days Do You Need For a Ski Trip?

Keep hopping!

Keep hopping, Leap!
View Comments

Comments

Mar 26, 2024 at 3:25 p.m.
Roman Says...

did you guys notice grooming got worse last season 2023/24? I was checking on Park city, Vail and Aspen.

Reply
Dec 2, 2023 at 8:25 p.m.
Sean Says...

A superb holiday we’ve done three times so far is based around Easter.

This coming year the plan would be to arrive in Breck on Friday 29th March 2024 and ski until Saturday the 6th and on that day fly to Orlando and spend nine days in Disney flying out on

Reply
Dec 4, 2023 at 8:54 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Sounds super fun, Sean! Thanks for hopping by and sharing :)

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Oct 29, 2023 at 4:54 a.m.
Jake Says...

When do most Colorado ski resort have all their terrain open?

Reply
Nov 8, 2023 at 3:45 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jake!

You can find projected opening dates for Colorado ski resorts in this post!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Dec 2, 2021 at 7:38 p.m.
Bethany Davidson Says...

What are your thoughts on skiing in Colorado mid-May?

Reply
Dec 3, 2021 at 1:13 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Bethany!

May usually signals the end of the ski season, but it varies year to year based on weather and snow quality. Some Colorado ski resorts in higher elevations such as Breckenridge have stayed open as long as early June in the past, but generally, most resorts typically close mid-April. If you do go mid-May, it would be spring conditions, but I personally love warm weather skiing!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 3, 2020 at 8:38 p.m.
DavidDRIDA Says...

Thanks for the post!

Reply
Apr 3, 2020 at 4:23 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

You're so welcome, David - thanks for hopping by!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Nov 23, 2019 at 3:05 p.m.
Charity Ann Rutan Says...

What do you think about skiing on Thanksgiving day? I can’t decide if it will be more crowded because everyone is off work or less crowded because everyone is home eating.

Reply
Nov 25, 2019 at 4:18 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Charity!

If it's a powder day, the slopes could definitely get crowded (and we know there's some snowfall coming over the next few days!) Otherwise, crowds should be manageable on Thanksgiving, but be sure to double-check that trails are open since it's still early in the season. Enjoy!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 26, 2017 at 5:42 p.m.
DENISE GARCIA-GOVE Says...

Hello, thx for all the great Disney Halloween info. We dint get tix for Mickey's Halloween Party, but i was wondering if you know of any festivities at downtown Disney on Halloween night, like to take them trick or treating? Or if you know of any other activities that might be going on the that night in Anahiem. Thanks again for all the info.

Reply
Sep 26, 2017 at 3:27 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Denise,

We're not aware of any Downtown Disney Halloween activities as of yet. In the past, Anaheim Town Square and Old Towne Orange

have held activities. Look into those spots.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply

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