April brings thoughts of long summer days, barbecues, and better tans, but don't put away the skis and snowboards just yet. Many resorts are still operating, and celebrating the snow with awesome spring events, friends, beer, and colourful outerwear (usually the stuff that you'd be ashamed to sport any other time of the season). Stoked to ride in T-shirts and shades? Check out some of the events happening from here on out this spring:

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

What is it? The 2nd Annual Stoke to Spoke Race. Say farewell to the snow, and get stoked for the mud at the same time. The race is a combination of skiing or riding, mountain biking, and navigating through an obstacle course.
When is it? April 13
What does it cost? $10 to go solo; $25 for a team effort.
Why is it cool? The Stoke to Spoke race is an awesome way to enjoy the mountain to its greatest potential. Bike, ride, and get lost all in one day. Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place, as well as the best costume, and biggest bail of the day.
Check www.revelstokemountainresort.com for the registration details.

What is it? The 1st Annual Fernival, a spring festival on the hill.
When is it? April 18 & 19
What does it cost? Lift tickets are regular price, but there are some steals on accommodation from RCR Central Reservations, with $114 getting you a place to stay and a lift ticket.
Why is it cool? The theme of Fernival is Sn-O-Bama, celebrating how Fernie supplied “powder to the people” during the 08/09 winter. Fernival will feature snow volleyball, snow tug-o-war, live DJs, beer gardens, and a free live concert from Spirit of the West at the resort. It’s a very democratic way to celebrate the winter season.  
Click here for all of the info.

Lake Louise hosts the Spring Episode Apr. 25-26.

Lake Louise

 
Whitewater

What is it? The Beach Party Weekend
When is it? April 11 & 12
What does it cost? $55 gets a lift ticket and the events are free to enjoy.
Why is it cool? The Beach Party weekend is an avalanche of fun. Complete with Slush Cups, a Dummy Downhill race and a barbeque, the Beach Party weekend warms up rippers to the idea of summer while giving winter the send off it deserves.
www.skiwhitewater.com has more on this event, and the rules of the Dummy Downhill Race. 

Mont Tremblant

What is it? The Caribou Cup
When is it? April 11
What does it cost? $67.75 for a lift ticket. The Cup is free to watch.
Why is it cool? To celebrate another good winter, Mount Tremblant moved their closing date back another week. The Caribou Cup will have brave skiers and boarders disguising themselves in whatever they can find, and attempting to cross a 70-foot-long pool of water, while clinging to as much dignity as they can.   
www.tremblant.ca has more information on the Caribou Cup, and how to celebrate it properly.

The Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival takes over Whistler Blackcomb from Apri. 17-26. Photo: Mike Crane

Whistler Blackcomb

What is it? The TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival
When is it? April 17-26
What does it cost? The TELUS Festival is free, and Whistler is offering awesome packages for the spring with lift tickets and accommodation deals starting at $74 a night/person.
Why is the event cool? Party in April, sleep in May. Dubbed the ‘Mother of All End of Season Parties', this ten-day jam-packed celebration combines Canada's largest outdoor concert series with the World Skiing Invitational, Orage Masters, and an eclectic mix of fashion shows, film screenings, photography showdowns, art installations, chef cook-offs and even a dog parade.  The 2009 line-up at the Zune Concert Series boasts Metric, The Stills, Ozomatli and DJ Z-Trip.
Go to www.wssf.com for more details and information on the biggest snow party in the West.

Mount Washington

What is it? The Slush and Dummy Spectacle
When is it? April 11 & 12
How much does it cost? Dummy Downhill costs you nothing, while the Slush Cup is $10 to enter but free to watch.
Why is it cool? Because of a late winter on the Island this year, Mount Washington has extended its season, and will be open full time until April 13th and the weekends of April 18-19 and 25-26. The Save-On-Foods Dummy Downhill kicks off the weekend at 4 PM on the 11th, and the Slush Cup Spectacle is held for the 12th.
Click to www.mountwashington.ca to find all of the info.

Sunshine's 81st Annual Slush Cup goes down May 17th. Photo: John Evely

Sunshine Village
What is it? Slush Cup Beach Party Weekend
When is it? May 17th, the closing weekend at Sunshine
What does it cost? The concerts and events that will be rocking the resort are free with a purchase of a lift ticket.
Why is it cool? The weekend features many cool events, concerts, beer gardens, and Coors Light Snow Bunnies. The 81st Annual Slush Cup will bring an official end to the season, with 60 daring participants try to make it across a large pool of slush while being dressed to impress in their favorite costumes. There are prizes for Awesome Air, Best Belly Flop, and Excellent Enemas, as well as best costume and the best attempt to cross the puddle.
Check out www.skibanff.com for the dirty details. 

 
Silver Star

What is it? Retro Day and the 12th Annual Dummy Downhill
When is it? April 11 and 12
What does it cost? All lift tickets at Silver Star at $25 for the final weekend. All special events are free.
Why is it cool? The brighter, the better. Retro day will have staff and rippers breaking out their favorite colour one-pieces, and obnoxiously dangerous jackets. There will be a dance-off at the Village, followed by a party at The Saloon. Sunday there is a Easter Egg Hunt for the young ones, and the 12th annual Dummy Gelunde. The owner of the dummy that gets the biggest air wins a 2009/10 seasons pass.
www.skisilverstar.com has all of the colourful information on the events.


Mount Seymour

What is it? Red Bull & Coastal Riders Slush Cup
When is it? April 18 and 19
What does it cost? $42 gets an adult up the hill. The Slush Cup is free to enjoy.
Why is it cool? Due to a record snowfall, Mount Seymour pushed back their closing date by a week, which gives people the chance to enjoy the spring riding for another week. Giveaways will be rampant during the Slush Cup, and there are no entry fees to worry about.
For more details on the spring riding at Seymour, check www.mountseymour.com