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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Why do resorts still close at 4 pm in the spring?

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Notaskibum
Posts: 849 - Karma: 4,005
It doesn't get dark hella early anymore, why don't they push it back a few hours for more funzies?
4 years ago
31 2
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CaIeb
Posts: 325 - Karma: 2,590
The general managers have a kink for torturing us
4 years ago
34 0
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conchetler
Posts: 280 - Karma: 609
I think it may have something to do with land permits that the ski area is on. I know my home mountain has a strict lease from the forest service that dictates the opening and closing season, and I'm sure it also specifies hours of operation throughout the year too. Also the resorts are probably not making much money by this time of the year (since the holiday season is when they do that, now it's primarily passholders) and they'd have to shell out more money for the employees who work the later shift.

That being said, I'm super on board for later days. Late afternoons are the best time for spring skiing.
4 years ago
24 3
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bmick
Posts: 220 - Karma: 2,637
Mountains in mass stay open till 10:00pm
4 years ago
17 0
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altadonkeys
Posts: 122 - Karma: 120
Because the employees want to go home
4 years ago
24 2
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Notaskibum
Posts: 849 - Karma: 4,005
bmickMountains in mass stay open till 10:00pm


Yes but then you have to ski wachusset
4 years ago
15 1
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ericforman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 6,213
I know man. I went for a tour on after work yesterday and it was so nice from like 5-730. Wish eldora would open the park at least. Actually would be able to ski everyday instead of having to take vacation / weekends and maybe could learn how to not suck ass at park.
4 years ago
12 0
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Koshermilk
Posts: 515 - Karma: 1,915
bmickMountains in mass stay open till 10:00pm


*Hills in mass
4 years ago
32 0
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Flynnski
Posts: 112 - Karma: 901
bmickMountains in mass stay open till 10:00pm


Night skiing at nashobas park (not this year) is lit
4 years ago
9 0
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beepbeepski
Posts: 154 - Karma: 1,462
because mountain owners are bums
4 years ago
4 0
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8086 - Karma: 64,399
Cause resort management is the Bain of my existence but in reality it’s probably not profitable and they most likely don’t have the staff late in the season
4 years ago
3 1
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a_burger
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 21,137
Sugarloaf closes at 4:20 in the spring
4 years ago
14 3
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weastcoat
Posts: 6499 - Karma: 75,327
Most annoying shit ever. Pretty much takes out skiing weekdays entirely if you don’t get off work or school til 3 or whatever
4 years ago
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12697 - Karma: 119,810
because they can and you will still show up. low quality bait thread...
4 years ago
0 6
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teabag
Posts: 691 - Karma: 4,974
Wtf 4pm? Most people would only be able to go skiing in the weekend
4 years ago
1 0
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Lemuel
Posts: 14544 - Karma: 11,151
Sugarbush does start closing at 5, I think that starts in April tho so no good park afternoons.
4 years ago
3 0
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Static
Posts: 8588 - Karma: 4,099
Nah, they can negotiate any terms they want, the forest pimps just wants to get paid. It's because fuckem'
conchetlerI think it may have something to do with land permits that the ski area is on. I know my home mountain has a strict lease from the forest service that dictates the opening and closing season, and I'm sure it also specifies hours of operation throughout the year too.

I've read it's too avoid confusion, many spring skiers are from Texas and can't even use a bear proof trash can, switching up operating hours would cause so many problems. At least that's the argument from the resorts.
4 years ago
7 1
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,056
this time of year is mostly season pass holders anyway. the mountain is making no money. attendance drops and the night crews to groom still want the same schedule. helps preserve the snow too to get off it once its super slushy too. not gonna lie, i prefer morning spring skiing when its soft corduroy and the parks dont have bomb holes everywhere.
4 years ago
2 1
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Obie.
Posts: 1741 - Karma: 3,646
bmickMountains in mass stay open till 10:00pm


In midwinter this is tight but as spring progresses I completely understand shutting down @ sunset. Who the fuck wants to ski on frozen choppy former slush snow. Shit is terrible
4 years ago
7 0
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ericforman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 6,213
Okay so cost for resorts seems to be at least along the general consensus here. How much would a resort have to charge for like 4-7pm skiing to make it worth it? Personally I would pay $20-$30 to hit Eldoras park and go 2 times a week probably on days the sun was out. From the day the clocks switch until the day they shut her down.
4 years ago
1 0
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7520 - Karma: 66,821
Because of costs and it’s easier. Resorts make up all this bullshit but it’s because of workers and cost and grooming. There’s no incentive to stay open later.

Alpine Meadows has a day where they stay open until 7pm in spring.
4 years ago
2 0
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NateDude
Posts: 186 - Karma: 1,287
I always thought it helped to preserve the snowpack late in the season
4 years ago
1 1
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guelah_papyrus
Posts: 122 - Karma: 841
ericformanOkay so cost for resorts seems to be at least along the general consensus here. How much would a resort have to charge for like 4-7pm skiing to make it worth it? Personally I would pay $20-$30 to hit Eldoras park and go 2 times a week probably on days the sun was out. From the day the clocks switch until the day they shut her down.


Shit just have one lift and the park open and lot's of people would go after work. Echo stays open somehow ya know.
4 years ago
2 0
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NivlacEloop
Posts: 61 - Karma: 399
pats peak is open pretty late 9:00 on weekdays and 10:00 on weekends. the park there is pretty rad too. so mountains definitely do stay open late just not all of em.
4 years ago
2 0
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nkwillie
Posts: 79 - Karma: 460
I know Big Sky used to stay open until 5 in April, not sure if that’s the case anymore with Ikon invading
4 years ago
1 0
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3606 - Karma: 3,972
Money. it’s not worth it.
4 years ago
1 0
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jakeordie
Posts: 664 - Karma: 3,277
ericformanHow much would a resort have to charge for like 4-7pm skiing to make it worth it? Personally I would pay $20-$30 to hit Eldoras park and go 2 times a week probably on days the sun was out. From the day the clocks switch until the day they shut her down.

Woodward PC is doing 4-8 for $39, and Boreal does a season pass for nights. I imagine Powdr bought Eldora with the idea in mind.
4 years ago
2 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 52562 - Karma: 173,858
Nobody really buys tickets in the spring and the ones that do go earlier. It would be cool but I doubt it would make them enough money to justify the hassle.

I mean look at all the places that close in april with 100% open and good base. Most mtns are nothing but passholders at that point and even then it can be a ghost town.

It's all kind of backwards. People will pay too much to ski garbage in october/November but wouldn't pay 20 bucks to aki awesome bluebird spring days at the end of season. Everyones getting the golf clubs and boats out.

Honestly that's a huge plus though. I love the chill vibes of spring. Late season just hits different.
4 years ago
9 0
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