Summertime and the Skiin’ is Easy
Contrary to popular belief, the ski season doesn’t end in April.
Sure, most see the calendar flip and shift gears to a mix of golf rounds, beach days, and early morning hikes.
But then there are the rest of us - the ones still chasing turns, no matter the month and, at times, to the displeasure of our loved ones.
Whether you’re a seasoned summer skier or someone who thinks riding a lift in May is borderline insane, here are three spots I suggest adding to your summer itinerary.
Timberline Lodge – Oregon, USA
Mt. Hood looking spiffy.
Let’s start with a domestic option.
Introducing the longest lift-served ski season in North America. Perched on the southern slopes of Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge runs lifts well into the summer, courtesy of the Palmer Snowfield.
This spot is no secret among the pros — Olympic teams often often train here in June and July.
The public, however, makes less use of the year-round skiers paradise. Expect bluebird days, soft snow, and a chance to get your turns in while most of your friends are suffering from the Summer heat.
Getting there isn’t hard:
Fly into Portland International Airport (PDX)
From there, it’s a 1.5-hour drive to the lodge
Shuttle services are also available from Portland or you can rent a car. Honestly, I’ve gotten quite lucky with Ubers - sometimes you can save a good bit just by testing your luck
Zermatt – Switzerland
This is an actual photo of the train ride to Zermatt. I seriously thought this was fake at first.
You’ve all likely heard of it, but I would venture to say most of you haven’t skied it in June. Truthfully, I didn’t even know Zermatt had Summer skiing until my friend showed me photos of him shirtless with sunglasses on ripping runs in the middle of June.
Zermatt offers high-altitude skiing on the Theodul Glacier, with terrain open almost year-round.
That’s right - you can combine your Summer Euro trip with a few laps. The scenery is unmatched, and the food + wine is arguably even better.
Getting there from the US is, obviously, a bit trickier than Oregon but you have options:
Fly into Geneva (GVA) or Zurich (ZRH) - there are a ton of direct flights from US hubs.
Take the scenic train ride to Zermatt - trains in Europe are *chefs kiss*
Remember, Zermatt is car-free. If you’re using a car for the rest of your Euro trip, you’ll need to plan a bit.
Las Leñas – Mendoza, Argentina
Imagine this in July??
Alright, let's just go ahead and flip the calendar.
In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s full-on winter when we’re in tank tops. And Las Leñas delivers.
Known for its big terrain and deep snow, Las Lenas has epic Andes access with the benefit or small crowds (you’ll see why in a second).
Perfect for advanced skiers and riders, Las Leñas is known for its backcountry access and wide-open bowls. But there’s also a relaxed village vibe, solid après, with some suitable beginner options for the family.
Okay - so getting here will take some patience (and suitable gear *wink wink*), but it’s somewhat straightforward:
Fly into Buenos Aires (EZE) - not the shortest flight, but there are plenty of good options out of major US airports
Connect to Mendoza (MDZ) or Malargüe (LGS)
From Mendoza, it’s a 5-hour drive or shuttle ride into the mountains
Yes - it’s off the beaten path. And then some. But for powder in July you’re going to have to get creative.
There are a bunch of other options across the world:
Beartooth Basin, USA – Billings (BIL) or Yellowstone Regional (COD)
Whistler Blackcomb (Glacier), Canada – Vancouver (YVR) (dependent on the year!)
Tignes, France – Geneva (GVA) or Lyon (LYS)
Les Deux Alpes, France – Grenoble (GNB)
Hintertux Glacier, Austria – Innsbruck (INN)
Stelvio Pass, Italy – Milan (MXP)
Portillo, Chile – Santiago (SCL)
Valle Nevado, Chile – Santiago (SCL)
The Remarkables / Coronet Peak, New Zealand – Queenstown (ZQN)
Some are a flight away while others are certainly going to take more of an adventure. But honestly, isn’t that the whole point?
So for those of you that haven’t experienced moguls in July, I highly recommend spicing up your Summer plans with some moguls.
The beach can wait a week, go rip some turns.
