Notes From the Road: Closing Dates: Is Ski Season REALLY Almost Over?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news (and after a snow-filled winter, it really is bad news) but … the ski hills are closing! The ski hills are closing! If you’re still trying to get a few turns in (did you read the post about why spring skiing is my favorite?), here are the closing dates for the mountains in Yellowstone Country:

Red Lodge: Sunday, April 13

Bridger Bowl: Monday, April 14 (extended from April 6. It has, indeed, been a good year.)

Big Sky Resort: Sunday, April 20

Maybe you’re burnt out on skiing (don’t say it) but you’d still love to take advantage of the fantastic weather that is springtime at a ski hill (after all, you get twice the tan you would at the beach from all the sun reflecting off the snow … right?). Here are the best ways to take advantage of those last few weekends of snow:

Pond Skim, Saturday, April 19

Ever wanted to watch people dressed in costumes ski across a pond of freezing water, hoping to land safely on the other side, but more than likely catching an edge and careening disastrously into said pond? Yep, me too.

If you find yourself feeling even more adventurous, find a costume, strap on your skis and enter to win. I’m not sure what the judging criteria is, but suffice it to say if you have a hilarious costume and manage to skim all the way across the pond sans wipeout, you’re a winner in my book.

Red Lodge Mountain

Turn, Pedal and Burn, Sunday, April 19

So technically, this event is after the hill closes, but I’m including it because:

a)    I want you to get as many turns in this year as you can and this event allows you to do it; and
b)    This event sounds sweet

In its fourth year, the Turn, Pedal and Burn is a multisport adventure to beat all multisport adventures.

Start at the top of Red Lodge Mountain (yes, you get to ride the chairlift, which is a bonus for all of us who think backcountry skiing is for lunatics) and ski down the Lazy M run. Change out of your ski boots to bike shoes (thank you) and pedal downhill for 9 miles. Transitioning at the Fairgrounds, you throw on your running shoes and jog a breezy 2.25 miles to the finish line.

Not too aggressive for a spring race and made even more awesome by the fact that Red Lodge Ales is sponsoring the finish line (AKA free beer for race participants). I’m definitely joining this one.