Skiing in June in Colorado
June is the tail end of Colorado's ski season, when nearly every resort has closed and the only realistic skiing is at Arapahoe Basin, which in strong snow years can stretch into early June on slushy spring snow, so treat any June turns as a bonus rather than the basis for a trip.
Reviewed for the 2026 season by the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team
Can you still ski in Colorado in June?
By June nearly every Colorado ski resort has closed for the season. The marquee mountains wrap up through April, and even the late closers are usually done by early May, so the state is firmly into its green season of hiking, biking and festivals by the time June arrives. The one consistent exception is Arapahoe Basin, the high altitude area that traditionally skis the longest in Colorado and is the only realistic place to find lift served turns this late.
Even A Basin is not a sure thing in June, and how long it lasts depends entirely on the winter's snowpack. In a deep snow year it can run into June and, in exceptional seasons, toward Independence Day. In a lean year it closes earlier: in the low snow 2026 season, for example, A Basin held on with late storms but still wrapped up in mid May, despite running the longest season of any Colorado resort that winter. The honest takeaway is that June skiing in Colorado is possible some years and absent in others, and you should confirm before you count on it.
What is the snow like in Colorado in June?
June skiing in Colorado is pure spring skiing, which means soft, transformed snow rather than winter powder. On the high terrain that survives, cold nights firm the snow up and the strong early summer sun softens it through the morning into classic corn snow, which can be a genuine pleasure to ski for a few hours. By the afternoon it turns heavy and slushy, and the skiable surface shrinks day by day as the season's base melts out.
The atmosphere is the real draw rather than the snow quality. June laps come with warm sun, T shirt weather at the base, pond skim style end of season energy and a relaxed, party closing day feel that is a world away from the cold focus of midwinter. Coverage is patchy and limited to the highest, most snow holding runs, with bare patches appearing as June wears on. Anyone coming for June turns should ski early, keep expectations modest, and enjoy it for the novelty and the vibe rather than for serious mileage.
How busy and how expensive is June skiing in Colorado?
June skiing in Colorado is cheap and uncrowded, simply because so little of it exists. With only one area realistically open and the broader region already in summer mode, lift access is priced as an end of season day rather than a destination week, and there are no holiday surcharges or lift lines to speak of. The closing day crowd can be lively and festive, but it is nothing like the crush of the winter peaks.
The catch is that almost nobody travels to Colorado in June specifically to ski, and for good reason. Building flights and lodging around a few uncertain morning laps at a single area is poor value when the skiing may not even be open. Where June skiing makes sense on cost is as a near free bonus: if you are already in Colorado in early June for the summer, a half day of spring laps at the one resort still turning is a cheap and memorable add on rather than a trip in its own right.
Who should ski Colorado in June, and who should pick another month?
June in Colorado suits a narrow group: locals and visitors already in the state who want to tick off a novelty spring lap, season pass holders chasing the longest possible season, and skiers who love the relaxed corn snow and closing day atmosphere more than they care about depth or terrain. For them, an early June morning at Arapahoe Basin in a good snow year is a fun, low stakes outing.
For everyone else, June is the wrong month to plan a Colorado ski trip. Anyone wanting reliable open terrain, real snow quality or a full resort experience should look to the winter and spring proper. January and February deliver the cold deep powder, while March offers the best all round combination of deep snow and long bright days. If your heart is set on late spring turns, target April at the high resorts rather than gambling on whether anything is still open in June.
June in Colorado: the case for and against
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Where to ski in Colorado in June
For June we would point you first at these, each with our full review:
- Arapahoe Basin. The highest of Colorado's major areas and traditionally the last to close, A Basin is the only realistic place to ski in June, and in strong snow years it stretches into early summer on spring snow.
Sources we checked
Common questions
Can you ski in Colorado in June?
Sometimes, but only just. Nearly every Colorado resort has closed by June, and Arapahoe Basin is the only realistic option for lift served turns this late. Whether it is still open depends on the winter snowpack: in deep years it can run into June and occasionally toward Independence Day, while in lean years it closes in May.
Which Colorado resort stays open the latest?
Arapahoe Basin traditionally skis the longest in Colorado, thanks to its high altitude and north facing terrain. It is the area most likely to still be running in late spring and, in strong snow years, into June. Even in lean seasons it tends to record the longest operating run of any resort in the state.
What is the snow like skiing in Colorado in June?
June is pure spring skiing on soft, transformed snow. Cold nights firm the surface and the strong sun creates corn snow that skis well for a few morning hours before turning heavy and slushy by afternoon. Coverage is patchy and limited to the highest snow holding runs, shrinking as the month goes on.
Is it worth planning a ski trip to Colorado in June?
No. Building flights and lodging around a few uncertain morning laps at a single area is poor value, especially since the skiing may not even be open. June turns make sense only as a cheap bonus if you are already in Colorado. For a real ski trip, choose January to March, or April for late spring snow.
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