7 States You Can Ski in During the Summer

Despite the skiing season usually wrapping up in spring, there are destinations in the US that allow you to enjoy mountain snow all year long. Here are some states you can ski even in the summer.

You can ski in the summer in Oregon, Colorado, and California, where the snow often lasts until July or longer. In Wyoming, Beartooth Basin is only open in summer. Other locations include the volcanoes of Washington and Virginia, where fake snow allows for skiing any season.

In this article, I will go over the best places for summer skiing in the US and tell you about the states where the skiing season never ends. I will also tell you what resorts you can visit for an unforgettable summer experience.

1. Oregon

Oregon is arguably the most popular US state for summer skiing. Mt. Hood, located just outside Portland, provides excellent conditions allowing the longest season in America. Oregon is a safe choice for all skiing enthusiasts who want to practice in June or July with real snow.

Timberline Lodge

Timberline Lodge is famous for its year-long seasons. Its highest point is located at 8,540 feet (2,603 meters) above sea level. In winter, the conditions remain unsuitable for skiing; however, June and July are perfect for enjoying these slopes.

Because of this, Timberline Lodge provides wonderful skiing experiences not only during the cold months but also in the summer. It’s one of those few locations where you can be certain to find miles of snow ideally suited for skiing even in hot seasons.

Timberline Lodge also hosts summer camps for kids and adults with various exciting activities and training planned. Performance Youth Race Camp welcomes beginners and pros to practice slalom.

Freestyle Camp includes skiing and snowboarding for any skill level with professional help in learning new exciting tricks. There’s also an Adult Race Camp where advanced skiers can perfect their skills with the help of high-qualified coaches.

2. Colorado

While not suitable for skiing all year long, Colorado offers one of the longest seasons in the US. You can safely expect to enjoy its skiing resorts in June with real snow and spectacular views.

Two Colorado resorts offer particularly wonderful summer skiing experiences. In addition, after the skiing season is over, there are many other exciting activities to enjoy: biking, hiking, disc golf, and even yoga in a beautiful mountain setting.

Woodward

Woodward is a famous Colorado resort that manages to preserve its snowy trails until mid-August. By the end of winter, when the season is typically over, the workers of Woodward start gathering the snow to prevent it from melting.

A vast area that runs up to 80 feet (24 meters) deep remains perfectly fit for skiing and snowboarding throughout the summer. You can enjoy this unique real-snow summer experience until August 15th, when the resort typically ends the season.

Woodward also hosts summer camps for kids and adults alike. They offer week-long experiences of on-snow and off-snow training, allowing skiers from intermediate to advanced levels to practice even in the hot summer season.

Arapahoe Basin

Located in the Rocky Mountains, Arapahoe Basin is a wonderful resort not far from Denver. The season usually starts in October and ends in June; however, the high point at which the resort is located allows for even longer summer skiing seasons.

The snow at the Arapahoe basin is known to sometimes last until July, and the longest season yet only ended in August. Overall, Arapahoe Basin is an excellent option for summer skiing and snowboarding, one of the best Colorado offers.

3. California

The state of California is home to any type of entertainment you can think of. Naturally, their skiing resorts are also exceptional in terms of unique and enjoyable experiences, with several options for skiing and snowboarding during summer.

Palisades Tahoe

Palisades Tahoe is probably the most famous skiing spot in California. It was originally named Squaw Valley and carried this name from 1494, when the resort was founded, till 2021. Squaw Valley hosted the Olympics of 1960, one of the main reasons the site became very well-known.

However, in 2021 the decision to abandon the famous name was finally made. The word ‘squaw’, used to refer to Native American women, is offensive and degrading language unacceptable in the modern context.

The original name is even more problematic as the area of the resort used to be inhabited by Native Americans for centuries. With the cooperation of the Washoe Tribe, the new name, Palisades Tahoe, was accepted.

Today, the beautiful location not only carries a more historically respectful name but also offers spectacular skiing experiences, with seasons lasting well into summer.

Typically, the resort is open until mid- or early July, offering a vast territory of over 6,000 miles (9,656 km) with spectacular trails and slopes of real snow to enjoy. Its grand size and wide range of available activities allow the site to accommodate everyone from beginners to advanced skiers.

Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain is another Sierra Nevada location where the skiing season often stretches into summer. The slopes are still available in mid-July or early August on good years.

Here, how long the season will last heavily depends on this year’s weather conditions. Sometimes, the resort closes by the end of May if preserving the snow becomes impossible. However, more often than not, you can expect to enjoy skiing around their fascinating area for two more months at least.

Mammoth Mountain occupies a large territory with 11 terrain parks. Great for pros and beginners alike, this is an ideal site to practice freestyling or snowboarding if that’s something you’re also interested in.

4. Wyoming

Wyoming can also offer a wonderful summer skiing season for those willing to practice in the hot summer. Particularly, it features a unique location at Beartooth Pass, opened exclusively in the summer; unfortunately, it may not be available in certain years due to unfavorable weather conditions, but when it is, it’s truly worth visiting.

Beartooth Basin

Beartooth Basin is close to the Montana border and situated in the Shoshone National Forest. The snowfalls there are so severe and heavy that even though the area is great for skiing, it’s impossible to enjoy during winter when the season is typically best at all other resorts.

However, as spring rolls in, the conditions become more suitable, and Beartooth Basin opens its doors for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the slopes with real snow that has gathered over winter.

Unfortunately, there are also years where snowfalls are insufficient for the snow to last through summer, and the resort remains closed until next season. So, as much as I would recommend visiting this unique location if you get a chance, check their website before making plans: there’s always a chance you’ll have to postpone your visit until a better time.

5. Washington

Washington volcanoes are yet another popular site for skiers to enjoy in the summer. In fact, they are best suited for ski mountaineering, and for those interested in such sports activities, Washington offers exceptional conditions.

So, if you’re a fan of mountaineering or are willing to try something new and test your skills in more challenging conditions, I highly recommend visiting Washington volcanoes.

Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens is an active volcano, one of the most famous in the United States. In late spring or summer, you can get the unique experience of climbing and descending the mountain terrain on skis or a snowboard.

Among Washington volcanos available for summer backcountry skiing, Mount St. Helens is probably one of the less challenging ones. Early in the season, you can expect a rougher climb, and I would highly recommend only venturing on guided tours, especially if you don’t have any previous experience.

However, in the summer, Mount St. Helens becomes less of a challenge. The climb will be less demanding, and you can expect a smooth and enjoyable descent. If skiing down an active volcano sounds like a fun experience, I recommend Mount St. Helens for your first mountaineering adventure.

Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier National Park offers guided climbs that take two to four days through spectacular sites and views of the area. Despite Mount Rainier being a popular attraction for mountaineers and backcountry skiers, you will be exploring wild routes, so proper preparation is necessary.

You must learn how to use essential tools and ammunition, such as ropes and ice axes. The climb is challenging, so physical training beforehand is also essential. Still, after mastering the required skills and booking a tour with an experienced guide, you’ll be all set for success, even if you’ve never done anything like this before.

The experience of climbing a volcano and skiing or snowboarding down is truly special. Mount Rainier offers especially beautiful descends that will be well worth the hard work of climbing the volcano for several days.

Mount Adams

Mount Adams is the second-highest in Washington at 12,280 feet (3,743 meters). It offers a variety of routes for ascent and several options for skiing down afterward. Depending on your skill level and previous experience, you can pick a more or less challenging route for your adventure.

The climb takes only a day to complete, yet the most popular tours include camping at Lunch Counter, a beautiful place at about 9,000 feet (2,743 meters). This pace allows for a more balanced and less tiring experience where you can fully enjoy the scenery as well.

The beautiful location and several options for climbing and descent make mount Adams another wonderful choice for first-time mountaineers. All routes are unique and provide excellent skiing experiences with gorgeous sites along the way.

6. Alaska

The summer season is the best time to plan a trip to Alaska, as it offers the best weather conditions to fully explore the region. Luckily, skiing is among the activities you can enjoy in this famous northern state if you visit during the summer.

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers one of the best summer skiing experiences, mainly because of its unique location. Unlike many resorts I’ve mentioned in this article which are situated near big cities and are easy to get to, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is hidden in the wilderness of Alaska.

Apart from the large area available to skiers and spectacular views, this also means the place won’t be crowded. You can only get to Tordrillo Mountain Lodge by air: the resort’s workers meet you at the airport in Anchorage and fly you to the destination, then bring you back once your trip ends.

So, each visit to the site has to be booked and agreed on in advance. Such complex logistics, plus the grand terrains of the resort, make it a perfect place to enjoy summer skiing at your own pace and with all the privacy you can get.

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge also offers a unique traditional experience called Kings and Corn. In June and July, the snow becomes corn snow, which means it starts to melt, then freezes back, and gets a texture similar to corn. That’s where the peculiar name of the tradition comes from.

Snow typically melts during the day and freezes back at night, which makes early mornings and late evenings the best time for skiing. The traditional activity of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers you to spend the morning on the terrains and fish for king salmon in the afternoon.

7. Virginia

Finally, Virginia is another state where you can find a year-round skiing resort. However, this one truly stands out among the others: it uses fake snow to provide perfect conditions for skiers and snowboarders during summer.

Liberty Mountain

Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, a project of Liberty University, offers beautiful views, summer camps, and snow all year round. The Snowflex technology is utilized to create the closest analog of real snow possible today, allowing visitors to enjoy skiing any season.

The Snowflex Centre is open for students, university staff, and the general public too. Despite the snow being artificial, it is safe and enjoyable to ski or snowboard. Slopes for any skill level are available, along with professional coaches and all the necessary equipment.

Sources

Local Freshies: Welcome To The Party Pal! Where To Go Summer Skiing In North America

Visit Rainier: Backcountry Skiing and Boarding at Mount Rainier National Park