Most people think of Colorado mountain towns at their busiest—deep in ski season or at the height of summer. But the in-between season tells a different story, one that feels quieter, softer, and a bit more personal.

Known to locals as mud season, this late-spring stretch offers a different way to experience the high country. The pace eases, crowds thin, and places like Keystone and Vail settle into a gentler rhythm. What you get is a version of mountain travel that feels a little more local. 

But that slower pace does not mean the mountains are standing still. Behind the scenes, mud season is one of the busiest times of the year. As Kate Schifani, senior director of mountain operations at Keystone, put it, there are “two parallel things” happening at once: resorts are shifting into summer even as they begin preparing for next winter. That means lift maintenance, trail work, snow removal, runoff management, and the careful process of getting bike trails, scenic rides, and activity areas ready for warmer-weather visitors. While crews work on the mountain, the towns begin their own transition too, settling into a more relaxed pace. 

Keystone

To get a better sense of mud season in action, we talked to Jacob Markwort, communications manager at Keystone, about what spring looks like once ski season fades. What he described was a side of the resort that feels entirely different from its winter reputation. In late April and May, he said, Keystone takes on more of an “escape or sanctuary” feel, with enough breathing room that guests can feel like they have the place nearly to themselves.

That shift changes the whole shape of a trip. Instead of building a weekend around lift lines and packed schedules, spring at Keystone lends itself to a more easygoing mix: a 4 p.m. tee time at Keystone Ranch or the River Course, a spa appointment at Keystone Lodge, time outside on nearby trails, then dinner at Ski Tip Lodge. Jacob said that in May, even the logistics feel easier, whether that means landing the reservation you want or settling into a patio table without the usual competition.

That ease is part of what makes shoulder season appealing beyond Keystone, too. Shana Wilson, a travel specialist with Travel by Shana and Carlisle Travel who focuses on mountain-town getaways, said mud season can be an especially attractive time to visit for travelers who want a trip that feels less hectic from the start. With lighter traffic, easier reservations, and lower lodging rates, she said, the experience often feels more relaxed before guests even arrive.

There is often a value element at Keystone as well. While there is no one blanket offseason deal, Jacob said local businesses do tend to offer spring promotions during this stretch, sometimes around 20 percent off. The result is a trip that not only feels more open, but often more doable.

As Jacob put it, Keystone in May feels like “this other little world in and of itself.” It still offers the resort experience, just without the usual rush.

Comings & Goings

Eat: Montezuma Roadhouse, tucked into River Run Village, offers a fresh, modern menu in a space with enough energy to stay fun and enough polish to stand apart.

Drink: Bighorn Bistro & Lounge, located inside Keystone Lodge & Spa, centers craft cocktails and locally sourced ingredients, making it the perfect spot to end the day.

Do: Summer Afternoon Club pairs free live music and scenic gondola rides, offering one of Keystone’s clearest signs that the mountain is shifting into warmer weather.

Vail

Vail takes on its own kind of spring identity this time of year. To get a sense of what mud season looks like there, we spoke with Kristian Yantis of Discover Vail, who described May as a “quiet transition month” and part of the town’s charm. With winter in the rearview and summer not fully underway, Vail begins to feel more open, more approachable, and more reflective of everyday mountain life.

Even with ski season over, the town does not lose its appeal. Kristian pointed to early-season hiking, mountain biking, creekside walks, wildlife viewing, and spring events like the Vail Whitewater Race Series and Vail Comedy Fest as some of the experiences that give the season its own momentum. The atmosphere is quieter than it is in winter or summer, but not empty. If anything, it feels more intimate. 

Part of the appeal is visual, too. Spring runoff gives Gore Creek a dramatic edge, and the contrast between lingering snow and fresh greenery makes May feel especially vivid. Kristian noted that travelers are often surprised by just how much there is to do before summer fully kicks in, along with how striking the scenery can be during this stretch. It is a side of Vail that feels less polished for peak season and more naturally beautiful because of it. 

That sense of surprise came up in Shana Wilson’s perspective as well. Wilson said many travelers do not expect how much value and ease this time of year can offer, from lower lodging rates to walk-in restaurant access and deep discounts on ski gear and apparel. She also noted that May can be a surprisingly fun time to be in the mountains, especially with spring snow still possible at some resorts and golf courses beginning to reopen against a backdrop of snowy peaks. 

For travelers willing to arrive between seasons, Vail still delivers the beauty and polish it is known for, just with a little more breathing room. In May, that can mean a mountain getaway that feels upscale without feeling out of reach.

Comings & Goings

Eat: Sweet Basil, in the heart of Vail Village, has built its reputation on seasonal ingredients and an exploratory approach to American cooking, making it one of the town’s best-known tables.

Drink: Root & Flower in Vail Village pairs an eclectic wine menu with creative cocktails and a lineup of small bites in an atmosphere suited to lingering over a second sip.

Do: The Vail Whitewater Race Series channels spring runoff into one of the season’s liveliest events, with paddlers racing kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and two-person rafts through Gore Creek.

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