10 great spots to soak up the sun this spring while skiing

Sitting on the deck of Bretton Woods' Rosebook Lodge offers great views.

Spring reminds us that it’s OK to just “be” sometimes. 

It is the season when there’s less of a rush for first tracks or a decent parking spot. We get to sleep in mornings while the slopes thaw out from their overnight freeze, awaiting bright, bluebird skies with temperatures warm enough to ski in a T-shirt. Music is blaring at the base and the comforting vibe reminds us to savor the final few weeks of our favorite activity. 

That also means taking some time to appreciate the moments, whenever the springtime sun declares.

With that in mind, here are 10 of our favorite places to soak up the sun in the mountains. Grab your sunscreen and appreciate the season. 

1. Lunch Rocks, Tuckerman Ravine 

Even if you don’t plan on tackling the legendary bowl that looms above, a hike to the area known as “Lunch Rocks,” located at the bottom of the ravine, can at least give you a glimpse of an experience that is backcountry nirvana. As spring days start to lean into summer, the gathering spot, situated at 4,500 feet, is prime for watching skiers tackle Tuckerman Ravine. Note: According to the White Mountain National Forest, due to the widespread presence of objective hazards such as icy waterfalls, falling ice and steep snow, the section of the trail from Lunch Rocks to the Alpine Garden Trail is closed each spring. fs.usda.gov

2. Octagon Cafe deck, Stowe Mountain Resort

There are days when you can spot the peak of Mount Washington — 121 miles to the east — from the sun-splashed deck of the Octagon Cafe, Stowe’s storied gathering spot at the summit of Mount Mansfield. This is a deck that welcomes you and makes it difficult for you to escape its warm embrace. Remember though, the gnarly likes of Goat and Starr are only a few feet away. Relax at your own risk. stowe.com

3. Camp III Lodge deck, Loon Mountain Resort 

If working on your tan is on the afternoon agenda, grab an Adirondack chair on the outdoor deck of this log-cabin lodge, located at the base of Loon’s North Peak area. The afternoon sun floods the deck at the base of North Peak, surrounded by views of the White Mountains. Whether or not you decide to take the quad from there and tackle the Walking Boss woods is up to you. loonmtn.com 

4. Rosebrook Lodge, Bretton Woods Resort 

If you have yet to visit Bretton Woods’ majestic 16,000-square-foot Rosebrook Lodge at the summit, you are sure to be floored by the surrounding views of New Hampshire’s highest peaks through the wall-length windows. But it is the expansive outdoor decks that are the hot commodity come spring, when skiers can relax in the sun, directly in the face of Mount Washington. The view is spectacular. brettonwoods.com

5. Sun Deck, Bromley Mountain 

It can’t be a list of best places to soak up the sun and not include a place also known as “Sun Mountain.” Bromley’s southern exposure means long spring days of basking in the sunlight while skiing the area’s 47 trails. Bromley’s sun deck is just that, a popular platform to finish off a day’s skiing with a few moments, enjoying a cold drink while your feet spring free from the boots that kept them hostage for the better part of the day. bromley.com 

6. Black Line Tavern deck, Magic Mountain

The deck at this southern Vermont hotspot for independent skiing has grown in recent years, an expansion that goes hand-in-hand with Magic’s growing popularity among skiers and riders. Live music will hit the deck most weekends, and the Black Line Music Series on Saturday nights delivers some of the best regional and local bands. magicmtn.com

7. Lostbo Cabin, Black Mountain 

There are few better spots to relax with an afternoon libation than at Black’s Lostbo Cabin. The mid-station bar serves up music, snacks and drinks with a view of idyllic Jackson, N.H., below. During weekends through March, skiers and riders can end their day at Black with an après session at the cabin, featuring live music played on the outdoor deck. See the website for a complete schedule of local artists scheduled to play this spring. blackmt.com

8. Superstar Express, Killington Mountain Resort 

OK, so it isn’t exactly “lounging,” is it? Still, even though the ride might be several minutes from the base to the top of Killington’s legendary spring trail, those are valuable resting moments, particularly when you’re trying to refresh after another bump run down Superstar. These are some of the most-cherished moments to have in the sun. Like the season itself, these rides are fleeting, but they define why we gravitate to spring skiing in the first place. killington.com 

9. Peak Lodge deck, Sunday River 

Chili, pizza and salads are among the options on the cafeteria-style menu, but the main dish is what surrounds Sunday River’s lodge accessible via the “chondola” on North Peak. The outside deck looks out across Sunday River’s front range, delivering a spectacular angle of the Maine mountainside. The Mountain Room, open weekends, features a more-refined dining experience, featuring ingredients like prosciutto, quail egg and caviar. sundayriver.com 

10. ReggaeFest Sugarloaf  

This four-day event has been happening for more than 30 years and always brings the tropics to Maine, no matter if the weather cooperates or not. It includes two nights of music in the King Pine room, two days of outside entertainment on “the Beach,” three nights of music in The Widowmaker, and reggae DJs at Bullwinkle’s. Night shows are 21-plus. sugarloaf.com