SAM Magazine-Las Vegas, Apr. 27, 2010-Resorts as far-flung as Alyeska, Alaska, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, and Sugarloaf, Maine, are operating into May this year. They are among dozens of areas that have extended their seasons this year.

Late and abundant snow has enabled Alyeska Resort to operate well into May. The base at the top of the ski area is 200 inches, and total snowfall this winter is 821 inches. Alyeska will operate the Aerial Tram and Chair 6 Friday through Sunday in the month of May, weather permitting.

The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort has extended its closing date more than once this year, and recently decided to operate through May 2. The new closing date marks the longest season in the resort's 47-year history. Historically, the resort would close during the second week of April. Due to an early snowfall, LVSSR kicked off the 2009-10 season on Oct. 7, seven weeks earlier than usual. Total annual snowfall for the area, 216.5 inches, is more than a four-foot increase over the 2008-09 season and eight feet more than the annual average of 120 inches. Annual visits are up 28 percent over the previous year.

In British Columbia, Cypress Mountain, which struggled mightily during the Olympics, stayed open until mid-April. Whistler Blackcomb, with its second-snowiest winter on record, extended the skiing season on Whistler Mountain by one week, to April 25; Blackcomb Mountain will operate through May 24.

In Oregon, Mt. Hood Meadows, received several feet in late-March and April storms, allowing it to extend daily ski operations through April 25. Weekend operations will continue until May 16.

In the Tahoe area, blessed with seven feet of snow in early April, Squaw Valley will operate through May 9. Both Heavenly and Sugar Bowl, Calif., operated through Apr. 25.

Fresh snow continues to fall in Southern California, where Mountain High plans to remain open through May 2-making this its longest season ever at 186 days. Most of the area's terrain is open, and the ample coverage will be bolstered by a storm in the next few days. If enough snow arrives, Snow Summit will reopen for the weekend also, for both boarding and skiing.

In the Rockies, Brundage Mountain Resort in Idaho is also extending the 2009-2010 winter season in to May, marking only the second time the resort has done so during its nearly 50 year history. Following the success of two Bonus Weekends already this spring, Brundage Mountain will operate for its final day of the season on Saturday, May 1. A surge in snowfall brought 19 inches of snow during the first two weeks of April on top of two feet of snow that fell at the end of March.

Other areas got into the bonus act, too. Alta, originally scheduled to close Apr. 18, announced a bonus weekend Apr. 23-25. Both Grand Targhee and Park City also extended their seasons by a week, closing Apr. 18, as did Durango Mountain Resort and Wolf Creek, Colo., both of which ran weekends only in April. Arizona Snowbowl also extended the season by operating for a bonus weekend Apr. 16-18.

Extended seasons weren't confined to the West. In North Carolina, Cataloochee Ski Area extended its season for two additional weekends, running through Apr. 4. Snowshoe Mountain Resort remained open through Apr. 5 to take advantage of the best snow conditions in the resort's 36-year history.

In Vermont, Jay Peak Resort will reopen on Thursday to take advantage of late April powder, as eight to 15 inches of snow is forecast today and tomorrow. Originally scheduled to reopen Saturday for one final weekend, Jay will close for the season on Sunday, May 2. The resort's golf course is scheduled to open May 15.

Speaking of golf: Sugarloaf, Maine, is offering Eastern athletes a chance at a rare double: skiing and golf this coming weekend, May 1-2. Both the ski area and nine holes at the golf course will be open. Golfers who show up with a lift ticket will see greens fees of just $10.

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