Happy April + happy Friday!
Reporting live from Denver, CO where we’re expecting snow this weekend and 80 degrees next. This place is wild. Some Colorado resorts got 18” the past couple of days so hoping we’ll see some season extension announcements soon. Until then, we’re leaning into springtime storms!!!!
Chairlift Chatter
I’m absolutely out on April’s Fools Day. I find it to be so dumb, especially when everyday feels like a big joke in these unprecedented times!! Alas, I enjoyed Aspen’s April 1 IG post.
Windham Mountain Club is making headlines, again. The ski area was purchased in 2023 by hospitality veterans Kemmons Wilson Jr. and Sandy Beall, the minds behind both Blackberry Farm and Holiday Inn – two very different ends of the luxury spectrum – and swiftly transformed into a private resort, where memberships start with a $200,000 initiation fee and $9,000 in annual dues. The classic modest mountain to exclusive alpine club pipeline. Now, they’re doubling down on the “Hamptons of the Catskills” vision, rolling out a major summer expansion featuring a 5,000-square-foot spa, boutique hotel, water sports, equestrian center, racquet courts, clay shooting range, and just enough outdoorsy flair to justify the trip upstate for Manhattanites.
also shared her take on Windham in .
Spring Skiing is here!!!!
Every year, I set out in pursuit of the perfect spring skiing day – blue skies, soft snow, and the bare minimum amount of actual skiing. And almost every time, Mother Nature has other plans.
A few years back, we scored a coveted spot at A-Basin’s legendary Beach – a ski-in, ski-out parking lot that’s more about leisure than laps. We rolled in for a late-April weekend armed with a pop-up Weber, a keg from Denver, and big plans for t-shirt laps between hot dog flips. Instead, we got 18 degrees and a full-on powder dump. An incredible ski weekend but not the one we had in mind :)
That aside, it’s the best time to be in the mountains. Obviously a peak-winter powder day is unbeatable, but there’s something about lathering up the sunscreen (should be doing all season, clouds or not!!), stripping down to the bare minimum layers, opening up those helmet vents, stashing sunnies in your pocket, and squeezing in a few morning laps before settling in for an afternoon of full-throttle lesuire-ing (more on that below).
There’s a reason the most iconic retro ski photos come from this time of year. Whether it’s slushy greens on repeat or surprise powder, I love spring because skiing finallyyy stops taking itself so seriously.
Spring Ski Essentials
1. Polarized sunnies. I’m really into Quince’s sunglass collection – they’re polarized, fun, and a good price point.
2. Packable puffer. You never know what you’ll get in the mountains – having a lightweight puffer that you can layer or even wear on its own is major. I love my Halfdays Nellie.
3. Lightweight layers. Often times on a spring day, I don’t even want merino. I find the Lululemon Swiftly long sleeve to perform perfectly under a thin puffer on warm days.
4. A cute beanie. We’ve talked about this before. There are many great ones out there, including this Helly Hansen low-profile soft rib option.
5. Sunscreen!!! I like the weight and feel of La Roche-Posay and they also make a sport product.
6. Lightweight gloves/mittens. My go-to option for spring days are these Smartwool mittens.
7. Chapstick with SPF. Supergoop makes the best one.
Where to Enjoy ~Spring Vibes~
Alpino Vino - Telluride, CO
I’m not sure where else you can get a glass (or bottle) of Billecart-Salmon brut rosé at 11,966 feet. The patio of Alpino Vino is the best place to post up and have a long lunch while enjoying a bluebird spring day. The tomato soup/grilled cheese combo is also out of control.
A Basin Beach - Arapahoe Basin, CO
As previously mentioned, this is the OG of ski tailgating. Bring a grill, camping chairs, whatever your heart desires! Steps away from the lift to get some t-shirt laps in. The only pics I have of the Beach are blurry keg stand photos so you can use your imagination here.Silver Lake Beach - Deer Valley, UT
Speaking of beaches, one of the best spring spots to kick your feet up is the Beach at Silver Lake Lodge. With dozens of Adirondack chairs, it’s the ultimate people-watching perch – perfect for soaking up the sun while watching skiers cruise down.
Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge - Alta, UT
The best patio in the Little Cottonwood Canyon, perfect spot to post up on a sunny spring day. Also home of the legendary Alta Bomb: a double shot of espresso dropped into a PBR.River Run Lodge - Sun Valley, ID
A classic Sun Valley spot to have a couple bevs in the sunshine right at the base. Fitted with Adirondack chairs and fire pits. Live music sometimes which is always a plus!
Handle Bar - Jackson, WY
The Four Seasons bar at the mountain base doubles as a fantastic spring patio. There is usually always live music and wonderful food/drinks + firepits!Umbrella Bar(s) - Park City, UT + Crested Butte, CO + Killington, VT
Ski mountains love an umbrella roof-style bar and I’m here for it. I’ve never met an umbrella bar I didn’t love. The quintessential spring ski vibe and all three of these locations have an iconic one.
Sun Bar - Mt. Bachelor, OR
An outdoor bar at the base of Mt. Bachelor that sometimes has an umbrella ‘roof’ – perfect place to post up in the spring. They weirdly have a large selection of Red Bull cocktails if you’re into that.
Music in the mountains!
Rendezvous Music Festival in Jackson is happening this weekend – both days are free!!
Sugarloaf’s 37th annual Reggae Fest is happening in Maine April 10-13. This looks fun – wish I could make it to Maine.
Goth Babe is also playing on-mountain at Vail this Sunday. I’m really into these mountain-top sets that we’re seeing more of this year.
End of Season Sales
The BEST time to buy new gear ski is at the end of the season (obviously!).
The Halfdays sample sale returns to Denver April 10-13. Always fantastic deals here if you’re local!
Slopeside’s favorite pole brand, Yardsale, is running a 15% off sale. If you missed my interview with Yardsale a few months ago, it’s worth a read!
JORDE is taking 30% off its entire winter collection.
SENIQ is offering 20% off select winter styles.
TREW is offering a variety of ‘sale bundles’ including mix + match sets which is a fun idea.
The North Face has several winter classics marked down starting at 25% off.
Helly Hansen is slashing prices by up to 50% on this season’s gear.
STIO’s warehouse sale is in full swing, with discounts up to 60%.
Perfect Moment is offering 50% off select styles, including most from this season.
If you enjoy this letter, please share with friends! Feel free to respond here with ski-related intel, new products you’re loving, or just to say hi. Thanks for reading 💌