Winter may be almost over but avid skiers will still have a chance to hit the slopes, even as temperatures rise. Fans of the sport are still itching to get more runs before putting the gear away. Thankfully, several ski resorts stay open until late April or May to accommodate the enthusiasts.

Spring skiing has a few advantages – the weather is warmer and sunnier, making your surroundings even more beautiful and breathtaking. Prices are lower, crowds are practically non-existent, and the days are much longer.

Night skiing also becomes an attraction as the weather gets warmer. And for watching the sport, numerous races and events are scheduled for the spring to better accommodate spectators.

If you ever wanted to ski wearing a T-shirt as opposed to puffy jackets and thick gloves that get in the way of taking selfies, now is your chance. Just be conscious of the “corn” snow, spawned by melting ice that forms rough cold grains that merge into big crystals. They freeze at night when it gets cold again and become bigger. If the weather stays cold the next day, which doesn’t happen often, the top layer won’t melt and your spring skiing experience may be hindered.

In general, you want to go to a resort that is high and to the north, where the snow lasts longer. But resorts all over the country are catching up. The snow-making machines are working overtime, beach parties are being planned, and pond skimming is getting set up. The show must go on.

Mammoth Mountain, California

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Mammoth gets lots of snow all winter. The ski season, one of the longest in North America, is open until the end of May 2016. Sometimes it even lasts until July 4. El Nino has made sure that the Sierra Nevada Mountain ski area continues to have a steady amount of snow. The resort is famous for its spring skiing events. Many youngsters go there to celebrate Spring Break. Slope-side barbecues and the traditional Pond Skim, when people use their skis and snowboards to straight-line across a 110-foot pond, are huge attractions. Mammoth is a preferred family destination for spring skiing because of its 3,500 acres of skiable terrain. There is a trail for skiers of all skillsets.

Loveland, Colorado

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Loveland not only opens its ski season early but it also closes it quite late. The summit’s altitude of 13,010 feet allows skiers to go down the slopes on plenty of snow until the end of May. Spring time at Loveland features live music every weekend through closing day in addition to plenty of BBQs and on-hill events. A favorite is the Mountain Adventure Scavenger Hunt on April 2, 2016. You’ll spend the day skiing while also chasing chickens, looking for Bigfoot, and trying to solve riddles.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

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The Jackson Hole ski resort is among the most popular in the country. Its vertical drop of more than 4,000 feet attracts many advanced skiers, especially in the spring. Long approaches, big vertical gains, and encounters with wildlife are what they can expect. They won’t find more challenging terrains that time of year. The ski season in 2016 is scheduled to end on April 1. People are encouraged to wear their most creative costumes on closing day.

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