Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Is it spring yet? Feels like it in some places. In others, not so much. Whether you’re schussing the late-spring snow in the Northeast or about to bid adieu to the 2023-’24 season, some of the best end-of-season and closing day parties are creeping closer on the calendar.
Technique Tuneup: Pro Tips to Nail Your Closing Day Pond Skim
These Closing Day—or close to it—gatherings are some of the most-anticipated traditions at their respective ski areas, from pond skims to dummy downhills to cardboard box races—and even a couple of new events debuting this spring. Sign up to compete, or just join the partying spectators and give the 2023-’24 ski season the farewell it deserves.
The Best Closing Day Parties at North American Ski Resorts
April 6: The Snowmelt Slush Cup and Spring Fling, Okemo, Vt.
- Closing Day: April 14
Okemo sends the season off with a pond skimming event followed by a party with live music and BBQ at the base. The Slush Cup pond skim kicks off at the Clocktower Base at noon, with prizes awarded for the biggest splash, best whip-out, best dressed, best run, and crowd favorite. Hang out afterwards for live music by Total Strangers, plus cold bevvies, hot BBQ, and great company.
April 7: Downhill Dummy, Tahoe Donner, Calif.
- Closing Day: April 7
Look to the community hills for some of the best events, like the Downhill Dummy at this Tahoe-area mountain. What’s a downhill dummy? Pretty much anything you want, mounted on skis or snowboard, and sent careening down the hill. This year’s theme is superheroes, and prizes will be awarded for best design, fastest time, longest air, and best crash.
April 11–14: Reggae Fest and Pond Skimming Championships, Sugarloaf, Maine
Closing Day: TBD
It’s not closing day, per se, but this spring bash is one of the best festivals of the season and in its 36th year!  Musical highlights this year include John Brown’s Body, Zion Train, the Long Beach Dub All Stars, Sundub, and more. Closer to closing day, Sugarloaf is also the home of the East Coast Pond Skimming Championship on April, 20 which takes place on the pond just above the ski beach.
April 13: Cardboard Classic and Spring Splashdown, Steamboat Resort, Colo.
- Closing Day: April 21
Steamboat pulls out all the stops during its Springalicious Megafest that officially winds down the season. The highlights are the Cardboard Classic on Sat., April 13, where skiers cobble together homemade snow crafts from boxes, and the Splashdown pond skim on Sunday, April 14, complete with costumes and prizes.
April 13: Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party, Snowmass, Colo.
- Closing Day: April 13
Don your best spring costume, try your hand at the pond skim, then warm up in the slopeside hot tubs at Elk Camp during the 5th annual Surf and Snow Beach Party. Looking for next-level spring hijinks? Hop on a margarita blender bike, a stationary bike that you can self-powder to blend your après beverage to perfection. You have to see it to believe it.
April 19: Vail Après End-of-Season Bash, Vail, Colo.
- Closing Day: April 21
Après all day as Vail Mountain bids adieu to the ski season with the annual Vail Social ski race—head-to-head racing with prizes for the winners—live music from blues/country/reggae artist Cas Haley, and plenty of food trucks and beverages.
April 20: Pump House Beach Party, Jay Peak Resort, Vt.
- Closing Day: April 20
This untraditional closing day party takes place inside, at the resort’s Pump House Water Park, with bikini- and board shorts-clad revelers enjoying the facility’s poolside vibe after their last day shredding the slopes of Jay. The party is free, but all attractions require a paid admission to the water park. Don’t miss Jay’s annual pond skimming event, which takes place just before the beach party at the base of the slopes.
April 20: Dazed and Defrosted, Killington Resort, Vt.
- Closing Day: TBD
With the longest season in Vermont, Killington closes things out in style with a music festival complemented by spring bump, après brews, and a costumed good time. Dazed and Defrosted features a musical lineup with musical acts, free BBQ lunch at the K-1 Lodge, plus DJ tunes and drink specials to round things out. And if you’re looking for a little wet and wild fun, join the pond skim competition on April 13 (costumes encouraged).
April 27: Slush Rush, Copper Mountain, Colo.
- Closing Day: April 28
(Photo: Courtesy of Copper Mountain)
After last year’s successful debut Slush Rush, is back and it’s shaping up to be a hoot once again. Teams of three compete in an on-slope relay race that wackily combines different competitive disciplines: a halfpipe dotted with slalom gates, a skier/boarder cross course rife with features, and of course, an icy pond skim. There will be a youth competition for ages 12-16, a category for adults 17-plus, and one for pros/athletes who really have something to prove.
April 28: Closing Day Basin Bash, Snowbasin, Ut.
- Closing Day: April 28
Dust off your legwarmers and velvet blazer for Snowbasin’s ’80s-themed closing day party. There will be ’80s cover bands, plenty of food and drink and prizes for the best dressed so dress to impress. If you’re looking for a bit more action and speed (and slush) then stop by on Saturday, April 20 for the resort’s 10th annual pond skim. Guests can reserve their spot online with 250 openings, or try to snag one of the 50 walk-in spots. Oh, and costumes are heavily encouraged.
May 20: Slush Cup, Banff Sunshine, Alb.
- Closing Day: May 20
One of the longest-running pond skims on the continent, celebrating 96(ish) years this spring this iconic event traditionally takes place on Banff Sunshine’s last day of the season. Skiers attempt to cross an icy pond while dressed in the wildest costumes they can think up. Plan to continue the celebration afterward at Mad Trapper’s Saloon at the base, with live tunes and drink specials.
TBD: Arapahoe Basin’s Closing Day Party
- Closing Day: To be determine (last year was June 5)
It’s no surprise that A-Basin has yet to announce a date for their closing day bash. However, whenever that will be, it will be sure to be a blast. The resort is notorious for its “beach” festivities, plus lots of live music, funky costumes, and live music. If you don’t want to miss out on one of the best closing day events, keep an eye on the resort’s Instagram account so you can prepare your jorts when the time is right.