Summer skiing may seem like an oxymoron. But thanks to high-elevation ski resorts and glaciers, and a Southern Hemisphere ski season that runs from June to October, skiers and riders can enjoy year-round laps. In North America and Europe, summer skiing means glacier skiing, and heading to the highest peaks as the weather warms up. If it’s powder you’re after, then you’ll want to travel to the Southern Hemisphere, to countries like New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and Argentina, where their winter season goes until nearly the start of North America’s ski season. Check out our picks of the coolest ski resorts around the world for skiing and riding in summer.
The best summer ski resorts
Hintertux, Austria
The Hintertux is one of the few remaining glaciers that’s open for skiing 365 days a year, clearly making it one of the longest seasons in the world. Hintertux Glacier has up to 20 km (nearly 12.5 miles) of slopes open for summer skiing, with runs accessible via 10 lifts, including the Glacier Bus 3, which is capable of transporting 3,000 skiers per hour. The Hintertux offers a good range of runs for all levels of skiers are riders, but is famous for its steep, challenging terrain. Freestyle fans have their choice from five lines—Pro Line, Medium Line, Easy Line, 2 Jib Lines—at Betterpark Hintertux. Betterpark is open from April to the beginning of June, during the spring, and then open again from mid-September.
The Tuxer Sportbus is a free bus service, which operates year-round transporting guests from Vorderlanersbach, Lanersbach, Juns, or Madseit to the bottom of the glacier.
» Check out summer lodging options at Hintertux.
Kitzsteinhorn, Austria
Austria’s Zell am See-Kaprun region has an unreal 250-plus miles of groomed ski terrain. And while a lot of it isn’t accessible in the summer, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, above Kaprun, has a large, nearly year-round ski area boasting varied runs and a terrain park. Guests take a cable car ride 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet) high for unparalleled views and a unique ski experience. Intermediate skiers and riders will feel particularly at home here, with a lot of terrain to play on, while skiers and riders of all abilities will find something to love. Non-skiers can take free guided panoramic hikes across the glacier.
» Check out summer lodging options in Kaprun.
Tignes, France
The Grande Motte Glacier has varied terrain—blue, red and black runs—accessed by chairlifts and drags. The summer ski area is open from late June to late July, depending on snow conditions, and serves up 20 km of downhill skiing, plus freestyle terrain, cross-country skiing, and a restaurant with a view. The glacier closes at 1 p.m., which is a perfect time to start aprés-ski early, or to head down to the water to experience the stunning Lac de Tignes.
» Check out summer lodging options at Tignes.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Open year-round, Zermatt boasts 21 km of summer skiing on its Theodul Glacier, the highest and largest summer ski area in Europe. In addition to snow-sure pistes, Snowpark Zermatt provides the ultimate summer terrain park for snowboarders and freestyle skiers and features one of the best views of the iconic Matterhorn. Zermatt visitors can enjoy a variety of summer ski school experiences as they share the slopes with ski teams in training. Summer skiing at Zermatt is available until noon. Like spring skiing conditions, the best bet is to hit the mountain early for the best conditions.
» Check out summer lodging options in Zermatt.
Saas Fee, Switzerland
The Allalin Glacier above Saas Fee offers summer and fall skiing from mid-July to late October. The lifts typically run until early afternoon, depending on the day of year, so double-check times as you’re planning your ski day. Arrive early to avoid the slush.
The 20-kilometer ski area, just edged in size by Zermatt’s glacier, is well suited to intermediates and is particularly popular with freestylers and race teams. The snowpark has a half-pipe, kickers, rails, boxes, and transitions in all shapes and sizes to suit all skill levels. Take a break at the Chill Out Zone, located below the pipe, where you can kick back on comfy couches while enjoying music. The glacier also has a restaurant and sun terrace serving lunch and drinks.
» Check out summer lodging options in Saas Fee.
Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Located about an hour and a half drive from Portland, Timberline Lodge runs the longest ski season in North America. The Palmer Express high-speed quad lift allows the mountain to operate from June until August. Mountain maintenance is usually scheduled for September with lifts reopening in November, weather permitting.
Timberline grooms several lanes across Palmer Snowfield, located on the south face of Mt. Hood. It is the summer site for the U.S. Ski, Freeskiing and Snowboarding teams, and is primarily used for summer ski racing and freestyle camps. Additionally, the Freestyle terrain parks are a major draw for snowboarders and freestyle skiers in the summer months. Nonetheless, advanced skiers and riders can enjoy lapping Palmer for hours. Note that Timberline is really for advanced skiers and riders during the summer.
After a morning of lapping Palmer, head down to Wy’ East Day Lodge, to the entrance of the Timberline Bike Park, which features tons of green, blue, and black-diamond mountain biking trails.
» Check out summer lodging options at Timberline Lodge.
Mammoth Mountain, California
Mammoth, located about 350 miles north from Los Angeles, has long been the favorite of skier and riders from Southern California. Unlike the glaciers, your window for early summer skiing is sometimes short and sometimes a bit longer, depending on the winter snowpack.
Locals refer to this time as the ‘Second Season,’ with the longest closing date for Mammoth being Aug. 6 in the 2017-18 and 2022-2023 seasons. Still, the mountain has closed around July 4 15 times since the 1968-69 season. Packages are available and ski school is operating. Here’s a tip; afternoon lessons are less expensive, but the snow is slushier.
» Check out summer lodging options at Mammoth.
Palisades Tahoe, California
The best bet for a long spring into the summer season around California’s beautiful Lake Tahoe is at Palisades Tahoe, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Palisades Tahoe often makes its way into July with soft bumps, corned snow and some groomed runs.
Our pro tip: Ski or ride in the morning and then enjoy Lake Tahoe in the afternoon. Alternatively, High Camp, at 8,200 feet, is a popular spot for snow sports in the morning and activities like disc golf, hiking, swimming in an outdoor pool and more in the afternoon.
» Check out summer lodging options at Palisades Tahoe.
Las Lenas, Argentina
Let’s head to the Southern Hemisphere for a full summer season of skiing. Here, the ski season begins at the start of the Western Hemisphere summer, in June, and goes until the fall. Las Leñas is one of the highest ski resorts in Argentina and boasts reliable snow. The mountain’s 43,000 acres (17,500 hectares) of skiing (30 runs) is suited to skiers and riders of all levels.
Advanced and expert skiers come for the deep off-piste powder. Some of the best powder can be found on the steep bowl and long couloirs accessed from the Marte chairlift. Various ski instruction programs can keep your skills at a high level. More advanced skiers can embark on an adventure into untouched powder with a guide.
Three on-mountain restaurants serve an array of dishes, including French cuisine, soup, salads and various sandwiches.
» Check out summer lodging options at Las Leñas.
Cerro Catedral, Argentina
Cerro Catedral is one of the biggest ski areas in South America, featuring 120 km (75 miles) of runs (34 lifts) offering beautiful views of Nahuel Huapi Lake. Its slopes are sprinkled with numerous mountain huts for food and drinks. For non-skiers, the mountain offers a multitude of non-skiing activities, including various tours, a snowcat ride, tubing, sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
» Check out summer lodging options at Cerro Catedral.
Valle Nevado, Chile
Valle Nevado has plenty of sunshine and snow, making it a paradise for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Miles of terrain is served by some of the most modern lifts in South America, including the very first and only gondola in Chile. The ski area links with neighboring El Colorado and La Parva to make up the Tres Valles of the Andes for a combined 7,000 acres and 14 lifts. Other highlights include hike-to backcountry terrain and world-class heli-skiing with runs that feature up to 6,000 feet in vertical. Valle Nevado’s cozy village is home to three hotels, several restaurants, and a number of great bars for après-ski. Finally, it’s also part of the Ikon Pass and The Mountain Collective, with pass holders able to use their pass for skiing and discounts on package stays.
» Check out summer lodging options at Valle Nevado.
Ski Portillo, Chile
Ski Portillo’s owners have strived to keep it small and intimate. There is no town, shopping center, or even ubiquitous franchise restaurants or coffee shops. There is just one big yellow hotel, which accommodates 400 people. That means there are rarely any lift lines and slopes do not suffer from overcrowding.
Portillo features 1,235 acres of skiable terrain across 14 lifts and 35 trails with long groomed runs accessed by chairs and drags. For advanced/expert skiers, it’s the freeriding that is the major draw with its abundance of steep off-piste faces. Heli operations are available to take you to even higher elevations and descents. Portillo also has countless hike-to backcountry areas.
» Check out summer lodging options at Portillo.
Coronet Peak, New Zealand
Coronet Peak is one of the most popular ski resorts on the South Island of New Zealand, and just 20 minutes away from Queenstown. Its varied terrain offers something for everyone. Beginners and intermediates have wide blue and red runs while more advanced skiers can hit the terrain park or test their stamina on the longest run, the M-1, stretching 2.4 km (1.5 miles). The resort is known for its efficient high-speed chairlifts and night skiing that is offered several evenings a week.
The mountain’s Skiwiland program is a fully licensed Early Learning Centre with the NZ Ministry of Education, catering to children 3 months to 5 years old.
» Check out summer lodging options at Coronet Peak.
Treble Cone, New Zealand
Treble Cone, in Lake Wanaka, covers two basins, the Saddle and Home basin. Both provide some of the best freeriding in New Zealand. Fans of steep and challenging terrain claim Treble Cone has some of the best in the country, with close to half the mountain dedicated to advanced terrain. Expert riders can take guided tours out to the Motatapu Chutes. Beginners and intermediates are not left out, however, with plenty of long, uncrowded runs.
» Check out summer lodging options at Treble Cone.
Perisher, Australia
Perisher in New South Wales is the largest ski area in Australia (and the Southern Hemisphere, for that matter). It is made up of four villages: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Simiggins Holes and Guthega, all of which are connected and offer varied terrain.
It’s about a six-hour drive from Sydney, and you’ll find plenty of skiing on seven mountain peaks accessed by 47 lifts, including a high-speed eight-seater. Most of the area is intermediate, but beginners and advanced skiers will also find their spots. Freestyle fans will love the five terrain parks and a super-pipe.
» Check out summer lodging options at Perisher.
Thredbo, Australia
Thredbo, in New South Wales, has been named the best ski resort in Australia by the World Ski Awards on several occasions. It’s home to Australia’s longest runs, and nearly double the vertical of any resort in Australia. Thredbo also has the country’s only alpine gondola. There’s generally plenty of snow for all ages to play on with a large array of lessons and special programs and events. For those feeling adventurous, you can reach Mt. Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest point, via the Kosciuszko Express chairlift. Thredbo has an exciting village right at the base of the mountain so there’s plenty to do when you’re off the mountain.
» Check out summer lodging options at Thredbo.
April 16, 2024
