The season is over for most of the continent, but these resorts are spinning their lifts—with some very important regulations. Here’s the deal.

While lurking past closing hours in the mountain resort parking lot has always been the domain of the dirtbag, more ski areas are bringing the practice of overnight stays out of the shadows—and some are downright embracing the car-bound camp movement. This focus on ski resort winter camping, which accommodates visitors of lesser means—as well as nomadic adventurers—is a refreshing step back from the luxury demographic. that the ski industry habitually targets.

The owners of Timberline Lodge & Ski Area on the shoulder on Mount Hood have bought Summit Ski Area, a small, novice-oriented slope about six miles away.

Cinco de Mayo atop Snowbird. (Snowbird/Facebook)

This time of year, the snow is melting and bare ground begins to show. But the spring ritual of skiing and riding under a warm sun and on moist, soft snow is a fitting close to any ski and snowboarding season.

Always powder in the early days. (International Ski History Association)

National Ski Areas Association recently published a list of when ski areas opened. Nonetheless, the debate over which hill gets to claim the title continues.