ICYMI for March 2024
A sunset shot of two gondolas in Steamboat, CO Photo by Phoenix Dorninger on Unsplash
Days are getting longer and warmer, and spring skiing is the reward we downhillers get for braving frosty fingers and toes until now. Let’s hope the snow holds until April or May. Until then, enjoy these events and deals happening at the destinations we love. Here are bits and pieces from here and there for March for skiers and riders.
Sugarloaf
The largest ski area East of the Rockies just got even larger with the opening of West Mountain in mid-February.
“We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated grand opening of West Mountain”, shares Karl Strand, President & General Manager. “The magnitude and pure impact of this type of terrain expansion can’t be understated. It’s the largest terrain expansion to happen in the Northeast since the late 1970’s.”
West Mountain expansion includes 12 new alpine trails, covering approximately 120 acres. The expansion will increase Sugarloaf’s total skiable acreage by nearly 10%, catering to both beginner and intermediate skiers and riders.
They are transported by the new Bucksaw Express, a high-speed detachable quad which will increase Sugarloaf’s uphill capacity by 2,400 skiers per hour. It transports skiers and riders up to Bullwinkle’s Restaurant, providing convenient access to the heart of the mountain and revolutionizing the way guests access and navigate the slopes.
“West Mountain creates a new family-friendly zone, something Sugarloaf has needed for quite some time”, shares Strand, “the accessibility of the lift and terrain provides a progression platform unlike anything we’ve ever had here. Our instructors and families will have a separate zone creating confidence and a “safe” zone, if you will, for beginner and intermediate level skiers.”
Extended Hours at Aspen
Starting March 1, all four resorts that make up Aspen/Snowmass are extending the hours of lift operations, to coincide with extended hours of sunlight.
Aspen Mountain: Silver Queen Gondola, Ajax Express and FIS Lifts will operate until 4pm The last ride down on Silver Queen Gondola is 4:30pm.
Highlands: Exhibition Lift will operate until: 4pm. Loge Peak will operate until 3:30pm.
Buttermilk: Summit Express will operate until 4pm.
Snowmass: Big Burn and Elk Camp Gondola will operate until 4pm. The Village Express Lift will operate until 4:00pm to the summit and until 4:15pm to the mid-point.
Steamboat
The popular pre-pandemic free daily mountain tour program for adults only with “yellow jacket” volunteer hosts has been changed into a ticketed tour for all ages, especially families.
Guides still take participants on greens and blues (no blacks), focusing on connecting the various peaks and lifts, along with historic tidbits.
Now called Full Steam Ahead Mountain Tour, it is being offered Monday-Thursday through early April, 10am to Noon. The formerly-free tour is now $20 for adults 13+, and free for a child aged 10-12 with a paid adult ticket (children younger than 10 are not permitted on the tour, and children 10-17 must be accompanied by a paying adult).
Advance registration is required, as is a lift ticket or pass. Steamboat is a member of the Ikon Pass system, and also offers resort-specific passes. Meet at 9:45am the base of the new Wild Blue Gondola, at which whisks riders to the top of the appropriately-named Sunshine Peak. https://www.steamboat.com/things-to-do/activity-details/mountain-tours
- Tips and Tactics for Spring Skiing - March 19, 2026
- Short Swings: Timely Tidbits of Snowy News - March 5, 2026
- Indy Pass Adds 16 Resorts for Next Season - March 5, 2026
Did I meet you at Okemo mtn at the 70+ meeting and you said you would be in touch for an article in the 70+ spring publication? Is this going to happen? I will be racing for the next few weeks and on to Aspen for NASTAR Nationals. I am celebrating my 90th birthday and also race an alpine snowboard and hold a few ski and snowboard records
Just let me know if this will happen
Yes, we met at Okemo. Most interested in receiving your article. Contact me directly at evelyn@seniorskiingmedia.com for articles to be published on this web-magazine. Would love a photo of you as well.