Aspen Mountain held its closing day celebration Sunday, drawing die-hard skiers in costumes who danced at the Sundeck restaurant to mark the end of a brutal season. The Ajax Express chairlift was the only one running as bare rock, mud and grass replaced typical April powder across much of the mountain.

The warm winter proved devastating: March temperatures in Colorado exceeded any previous March in over 132 years of record-keeping, running more than 4 degrees warmer than normal. The Colorado Climate Center confirmed the record-warm winter destroyed snowpack statewide, forcing Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk to close earlier than planned.

Since 1896, Colorado winters have warmed 0.3 degrees per decade, with more precipitation falling as rain rather than snow. The dry conditions now raise concerns about water shortages and heightened wildfire risk. Despite the subpar season, skiers celebrated reaching closing day safely—calling it a community triumph over unpredictable conditions.