Thanks to a snowy March and persistent pent-up desire to hit the slopes, a slew of Colorado ski and snowboard resorts will keep their lifts spinning beyond original closing dates.

You need something to do while the traffic thins out on I-70. Or just didn't get in enough turns on a busy weekend. Or had to work during the daytime hours and are itching to get on a slope.

Tucked in among the mega-resorts of the Colorado Rockies you can find a 10-pack of lesser-known mountains that bring skiing and riding to their local communities -- and a taste of the sport's history in the Centennial State.

Sprinkled in among the big-name resorts of Colorado are a collection of distinct ski and snowboard mountains that have the terrain, variety and unique experiences like the big boys – but without the high price tag.

Bright future at Denver's fave. (Echo Mountain/Facebook)

The third incarnation of Echo Mountain -- the closest slopes to downtown Denver – has emerged.

For three years, only budding ski racers have been able carve up Echo Mountain – the closest Colorado ski area to Denver metro, but In 2015-2016, it’s open for all again like it used to be.