8 Things to do before the season ends

There are still two weeks left in the ski season and plenty of snow in the high country. Which means it’s time to get yourself up to Breckenridge and enjoy winter before everything melts, the wildflowers burst to life, and spring turns to summer. And when you do, here are eight things you absolutely must do.

1. Catch a Free Concert Michael Franti, Lukas Nelson, and Trombone Shorty are the featured Spring Fever artists. The Bud LightConcert Series take place on a specially constructed stage on the snow facing One Ski Hill Place, a RockResort, at the base of Peak 8 at 2 pm on each concert date.
   
2. Cowboy Up Bring your cowboy hat and western wear to the April 24 season end celebration at Ski Hill Grill’s patio (Peak 8) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is only $14.50 per person (BBQ!) and there will be drink specials. But best of all, there will be a mechanical bull.
   
3. Those who want a sufferfest will love the Imperial Challenge, the most unique pseudo-triathlon anywhere. Now in its 25^th year, this endurance competition starts with a six-mile bike or run from the Breckenridge Rec Center to the base of Peak 8. Then competitors ascend on their choice of gear to either the top of the T-bar (Sport Course 2500’) or to the top of Peak 8 (Expert Course 3000’).
4. Shop From April 15 to April 17, participating Breckenridge retail merchants offer special discounts or gifts when you ask for the “Fever Reliever” at checkout.

   

5. Eat There is no end of happy hour specials and restaurants in Breckenridge, and now’s the time to hit them up before some close their doors for the off-season.
6. Buy Next Year’s Pass Buy your pass now and save yourself a ton of dough. Whether you want the Epic Local, full Epic, Epic 7-day or something else, you’ll find the right option here.
   
7. Soak up the Sun Spring is one of the best times to hit the slopes. The snow is soft, the sun is warm. There’s not the mad dash for powder that can happen most of the winter (at least not usually…we’re having quite the spring this year, with more snow forecast to drop this weekend…so don’t put storage wax on your powder boards yet!). Best of all, spring skiing brings passionate riders together, folks who plan to milk every last day out of the season.
8. Store Your Gear This isn’t as fun as everything else here, but it’s important. Tune your skis and slap on a coat of storage wax (or ask the shop techs not to scrape the wax when you drop your gear off for an end-of-season tune). Wash your outerwear and re-waterproof it (Nikwax makes great products for this that are available at virtually every gear shop). Wash your base layers and favorite ski socks and store them somewhere you won’t forget. You’ll be glad for the effort next November when the first epic dump of the season hits and you’re ready to go with primed gear and your season pass.

—Rachel Walker