The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) is dreaming of a white April at Aspen Highlands.

The organization is advertising three alpine clinics  at Aspen Highlands on April 25 and April 26 — about three weeks after the mountain’s scheduled April 5 closing.

“That’s a result of the excitement from last year,” Aspen Skiing Co. spokesman Jeff Hanle said. “We extended the season last year, we had some PSIA people who were around and they said, ‘Hey if you guys are open late next year, can we hold courses here?’ and we said, ‘Sure.’”

Copious snowfall — including mid-winter-like powder days in April — allowed SkiCo to prolong the 2007-08 ski season at Aspen Highlands two more weekends beyond its originally scheduled closing date.

It is far too early to tell whether SkiCo might be able to extend the season at Aspen Highlands again.

A PSIA representative told a local ski instructor who called to inquire about the clinics that “most people know that conditions can change that late in the year” and that those who sign up for the event will be kept abreast of the status of the clinics. A refund will be provided if they don’t occur.

Lodges, however, often penalize customers who cancel within 30 days so those who sign up for the clinics are urged to follow weather conditions closely and plan accordingly.

The three clinics offered April 25-26 are alpine all-mountain performance, alpine contemporary movements and alpine extreme mountain performance.

PSIA is also advertising telemark training events at Aspen Highlands this month when the resort is sure to be open.