Spring skiing USA style isn’t about squeezing in one last run. It’s about knowing when to call it a day and head for the lot.
Right now, across the U.S., the real action after last chair doesn’t happen at a bar. It happens a few hundred feet from your car. There, tailgates drop, coolers pop open, and the line between skiing and après completely disappears.
In the parking lot, there are no reservations required. There aren’t any fur boots. And there definitely isn’t anyone asking if you want truffle fries.
Just sun, snow, and simply the the best venue on the mountain…the parking lot.
With that in mind, here are three spots, East, Rockies, and West Coast, where parking lot après ski isn’t just a thing. It’s a lifestyle.
Killington Resort, Vermont: East Coast Spring Done Right
If you’ve ever skied the East in April, you already know Killington is the place to be. They don’t shut it down. They turn it up.
Superstar laps, soft bumped up snow, and a crowd fully committed to making winter last as long as possible (sometimes to the detriment of the bottom of their skis). Visitors carve corn in the morning but by early afternoon, the parking lots around K-1 and Ramshead start filling in with people who have no intention of leaving anytime soon.
This is East Coast grit at its finest:
- Hoodies over base layers
- Beers in hand by 2pm
- Someone grilling something questionable
This isn’t a fancy tailgate BBQ and that’s just how they like it.
Killington in the spring is less about skiing bell-to-bell and more about finding your moment, then riding it straight into a parking lot hang that lasts longer than your legs.
Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah: Quiet Lot, Strong Vibes
Not every great parking lot tailgate scene is loud.
At Solitude, the vibe is dialed back but in a good way. Tucked away in Big Cottonwood Canyon, it doesn’t draw the same crowds as some of its more popular neighbors. This means you can actually enjoy the space without fighting for it.
Tailgates, grills, and chairs are still visible. So to are the tunes coming from the nearest JBL. However, at Solitude the scene prefers:
- Small groups over big crowds
- Conversations over chaos
- A slower transition from ski day to après
Honestly, this hits just perfectly.
The best move post ski day isn’t always a full-blown party. Sometimes it’s a clean setup, a cold drink, and camaraderie over competition.
Mammoth Mountain, California: The Main Base Lot Goes Off
Then there’s Mammoth where subtlety is definitely not their style.
The Main Base Lodge parking lot in the spring is less “tailgate” and more “day party that happens to be at a ski resort.” Music, grills, full setups, and a crowd that came ready to soak up the California sun.
This works quite well because at Mammoth you can always count on:
- Long seasons
- Reliable spring conditions
- And plenty of space to spread out and post up
From low-key setups to full-blown productions, you will see every manner of tailgate party. But the one constant is always the energy. It’s high, it’s consistent, and it doesn’t really slow down until the sun dips.
If Killington is grit and Solitude is restraint, Mammoth is full-send, California style.
Why Parking Lot Après Ski Still Wins
The region of the country may differ but the formula remains the same:
- Spring conditions that make you want to stay out longer
- Parking setups that let you come and go
- And a culture that hasn’t been overproduced
Killington is pure East Coast grit.
Solitude keeps in low key and mellow.
Mammoth is a party just waiting to pop off.
The Unofficial Take on Spring Skiing USA
The best spring ski days aren’t measured in vertical. Those days are saved for the winter months. Instead, they are measured in how long you hang in the lot after.
Boots are tossed in the trunk. The tunes are turned up. And, one drink can easily turn into a parking lot beer pong tournament.
Why? Because in the spring, every great ski day ends the same way…in a parking lot, wondering why you’d ever go inside.
About the Author
Rich Stoner is the founder of the après-ski lifestyle clothing and media brand, All About Après. He is also the co-host of the Après All Day Podcast. No stranger to the ski and après-ski scene, Rich has been a long time contributor for many publications on topics like skiing, travel, gear, beer and food. However, his passion is on the slopes and enjoying good times with good people. You can find him perfecting his craft carving turns and drinking beers in the Green Mountains of Vermont. @allaboutapres