Skiing in May in The United States
May skiing in the United States is a spring affair at a short list of high altitude survivors, where a handful of resorts in Colorado and California stay open for soft, sun warmed snow, cheap lift tickets and a party atmosphere, while everywhere else has already closed for the season.
Reviewed for the 2026 season by the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team
Can you still ski in the United States in May?
Yes, but only at a handful of high resorts. The great majority of US ski areas close between early and late April, so by May the map shrinks to a short list of high altitude or deep snowpack mountains that traditionally hang on. In a normal year that includes Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, which routinely spins lifts into mid May and in strong snow years beyond, and Mammoth Mountain in California, which regularly targets late May and has run into summer after big winters. Palisades Tahoe in California is another that often pushes into late May.
How long these survivors last swings hugely with the winter. In the recent 2025 to 2026 season, which brought historically low snowpack and warm temperatures, Arapahoe Basin closed in mid May after multiple extensions and Mammoth reached the end of May, whereas after a huge winter Mammoth has stayed open into July. The lesson is simple: in May, snow is no longer a given anywhere, so check each resort's announced closing date before you book, because it changes year to year.
What are May ski conditions actually like?
May skiing is classic spring corn skiing. Overnight the snow refreezes hard, then the spring sun softens it into smooth, forgiving corn through the late morning, before it turns slushy and heavy by mid afternoon. The result is a short, sweet window of lovely soft snow if you time the day right, which means starting a little later than you would in midwinter and being done by early afternoon when the slush sets in.
Expect warm days, strong high altitude sun and a relaxed, festive mood, often with slush pond contests and live music to close the season. The terrain is limited, though: only the upper mountain and a fraction of the runs are usually open, lower pistes have melted out, and conditions are best on north facing slopes that hold the cold longest. Bring sunscreen, lighter layers and sunglasses, and do not expect powder, because May is about soft spring snow and sunshine, not fresh tracks.
How much does May skiing cost, and how do the crowds look?
May is the cheapest skiing of the year. With the season winding down, lift tickets at the survivors are heavily discounted, spring lodging is at its lowest, and many skiers are already in summer mode, so a few days of turns can be tacked onto a wider trip for very little. Reckon on a value focused trip well under $2,000 per person if you keep it short and pair it with a road trip or a city visit, since you are not booking a full week.
Crowds are light on weekdays and only really build on the closing weekends, when the survivors throw an end of season party that draws a loyal, fun crowd. If you want quiet corn laps, go midweek; if you want the carnival atmosphere of a closing day, aim for the final weekend. Either way the queues are nothing like the midwinter peak, and the vibe is about as relaxed as lift served skiing gets.
Who should ski the US in May, and who should skip it?
May suits spring skiing fans, bargain hunters and anyone who wants to add a day or two of soft corn turns to a wider trip out west. It is great for confident skiers who enjoy a relaxed, sunny, social end of season day and do not need a full mountain open. It also rewards the flexible, because the few open resorts and their closing dates shift with the snow each year.
It suits you poorly if you want guaranteed deep snow, a full lift network, powder, or a classic week long ski holiday with the whole family in ski school. The terrain is limited, the snow is soft rather than deep, and many beginner areas at the bottom have melted out. Families wanting the full experience, or anyone who needs snow certainty, should ski the heart of the season from January to March instead, or chase winter in the Southern Hemisphere later in the year.
May in The United States: the case for and against
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Where to ski in the United States in May
For May we would point you first at these, each with our full review:
- Mammoth Mountain. California's high snow magnet routinely skis into late May and beyond after big winters, the most reliable May bet in the country.
- Arapahoe Basin. High and cold near the Continental Divide, it spins lifts longer than any other Colorado resort and regularly reaches mid May or later.
- Palisades Tahoe. A large Tahoe resort that often pushes into late May, with serious upper mountain terrain for strong skiers chasing spring corn.
Sources we checked
Common questions
Can you ski in the United States in May?
Yes, but only at a handful of high resorts. Most US ski areas close in April, leaving spring survivors such as Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe in California open into May. How late they run depends heavily on the winter, so check each resort's announced closing date before booking.
What is skiing like in the United States in May?
May is spring corn skiing: snow that refreezes hard overnight and softens into smooth, forgiving corn through the late morning before turning slushy by mid afternoon. Days are warm and sunny with a relaxed, festive mood, but only the upper mountain and a fraction of runs are usually open.
Which US resort stays open latest in spring?
Mammoth Mountain in California and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado are the usual last resorts standing. Mammoth regularly targets late May and has run into summer after huge winters, while Arapahoe Basin spins lifts longer than any other Colorado resort, often into mid May or beyond.
Is May skiing in the US cheap?
Yes, May is the cheapest skiing of the year. Lift tickets at the open resorts are heavily discounted, spring lodging is at its lowest, and crowds are light on weekdays. A short spring trip can land well under $2,000 per person, especially paired with a wider road trip.
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