November to April is just not enough skiing for some of us. When you’ve got that itch to keep skiing or riding, no amount of mountain biking, hiking or countless other warm-weather distractions are going to cut it. And while many powder chasers may head to South America, New Zealand or Australia to ski after the North America ski season, there’s still late spring and summer skiing to be had at a number of North America ski resorts.
Keep reading for some of North America’s solid ski resort options for summer skiing, often stretching to the 4th of July. And if you want to think more globally, then head to this article for 19 options around the world for summer skiing.
Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Offering a chairlift dedicated exclusively to summer skiing (it’s too snowy and windy during the winter), Timberline Lodge boasts the longest ski season in North America. Skiers and riders lapping Palmer Snowfield, located on the south face of Mt. Hood, may be sharing the slopes with Olympic-caliber athletes, who come to Mt. Hood to train during the summer months. Open daily June through August, Timberline is summer glacier skiing at its finest.
Mountain operations grooms several lanes across Palmer Snowfield, which is used primarily for summer camps, but the above-treeline terrain always includes at least one lane for public use where intermediate and above level skiers and riders are welcome.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
It takes a little bit of work to get to Blackcomb Mountain’s Horstman Glacier, but the views alone are worth it. A popular destination for skiing in the summer, Horstman Glacier is typically open in June and July. Similar to Timberline, portions of the slopes are reserved for ongoing summer skiing camps, with a public lane for advanced to expert skiers who will be treated to terrain park feature access.
The Euro-style Horstman Hut serves as the hub for all your needs throughout the day. End your day with patio drinks at Whistler Village.
Mammoth Mountain, California
Most years, skiers and riders can count on Mammoth Mountain as a long-time lingerer that hangs on into the summer months. This year (2023), the heavy snowfall means Mammoth’s ski season will run into early July. How’s that for snowy fireworks?
Perfect for a multi-sport 4th of July weekend, Mammoth Mountain is open for mountain biking and golf, in addition to skiing. Depending on conditions, Mammoth’s mountain operations typically tend to shift after Memorial Day to focus on the terrain accessible from the Main Lodge area. Mammoth’s award-winning Unbound Terrain Parks are another summertime on-snow option with well-maintained features.
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
For those who love warm-weather skiing the most, you’ll get a second season at A-Basin, which is home to Colorado’s longest ski season. We’ve personally experienced a legit powder day in the middle of May at Arapahoe Basin, and can testify that it’s great. Typically among the first ski resorts to open in North America, usually in October, Arapahoe’s season usually extends until June.
Enjoy laps on the mellow terrain accessible via Arapahoe Basin’s lower-mountain lifts between parking lot cold snacks.
Palisades Tahoe, California
While Palisades Tahoe often stays open late into spring, for the 2022-2023 ski season they plan to stay open through July 4th, thanks to a record-breaking season that saw more than 700 inches of snow. That means you can ski in the morning, and then play on Lake Tahoe, or go mountain biking, in the afternoon. Operations will look different each month at Palisades Tahoe, so check their spring/summer operations schedule for the latest updates.
Beartooth Basin, Montana
Beartooth Basin in Montana is unique in that it doesn’t open until summer (around Memorial Day Weekend). Located at the border of Montana and Wyoming, it was established in the 1960s by Pepi Gramshammer, Anderl Molterer and Eric Sailer as a summer race training site. There is no lodge or warming hut, so don’t expect a traditional ski resort experience here.
Header image: ©Ian Zinner/Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
March 15, 2023
