From Skyscrapers to Saints, Where to Ski This Summer

For the truly obsessed, ski season never ends. If you’ve got a pair of beaters, a willingness to bake in the sun and an irrational attachment to snow, tune in. From glorious glacier laps to steep backcountry boot packs, these are the best places to ski the summer across North America.

Tuckerman Ravine – Mount Washington, NH

Usually the party on Tuck’s wraps up around late May, but for the real snow fiends, the area is still technically skiable into the fall. Just remember to consult your map and the weather gods on Mt. Washington. Towering high above Pinkham Notch in New Hampshire, the ravine’s overbearing headwall holds snow longer than almost anywhere in New England (sorry, Killington). Come for the lore, stay for the slushy turns and classic east coast camaraderie.

St. Mary’s Glacier – Idaho Springs, CO

Just outside of Idaho Springs, Colorado this permanent snowfield’s claim to fame is its accessibility and proximity to Denver. The hike in is only a mile long and is mellow enough for a bunch of frat guys to lug up a keg. Don’t expect untracked snow or a long, leg burning run, this one’s about scratching the itch. Go early in the summer (and the morning), for the best corn harvesting conditions.

Skyscraper Glacier – Nederland, CO

For those who love to embrace the suck, Skyscraper is the perfect place to dig deep for some summer fun. Nestled in the Indian Peaks Wilderness just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, Skyscraper peak provides a physical and mental challenge for hardcore outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll need a pretty legit touring setup and even better sense of direction as it’s 3.7 miles of difficult hiking just to the base of the glacier, but you’ll be rewarded with solitude, gorgeous views and a couple hundred feet of slushy summer skiing.

Woodward – Copper, CO

If you shed a tear on A-Basin closing day like I did, your summer is about to get a whole lot better. The hike-to park above Center Village stays active all summer long, hosting camps for skiers and snowboarders of all ages. While the park isn’t fully open to the public, scoring a pass is easy: just sign up for a session. Whether you’re a rising grom or a seasoned vet, Woodward is the place to keep your skills sharp under the Colorado sun.

Beartooth Basin – Red Lodge, MT

Tucked high in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, this no-frills ski area is North America’s last true summer-only ski resort. Usually open from late May through early July (or however long the snow lasts), Beartooth Basin has no lodge, no hotel and technically no lifts. Just two rope tows, a few pucker-worthy chutes, and a parking lot party vibe that feels straight out of the 90s. Freeriders across the west flock here for buttery turns, DIY booters and a criminally underrated ski scene.

Timberline Lodge – Mt. Hood, OR

Do I even need to introduce this one? Home of legendary summer camps like High Cascade and Windells, not to mention the summer solstice party, Timberline is the gold standard for summer ski stoke. Thanks to the ever-reliable Palmer Glacier, the party rages on until mid-September. And yes, it’s all lift served. That means more laps, fewer blisters and all the freestyle your legs can handle.

Summer skiing is not about comfort, it’s about commitment. Whether you’re an uphill enthusiast or a downhill speed demon, you don’t have to kiss your season goodbye just yet. From coast to coast there is fun to be had and you are welcome to get in on it. We’ll see you out there.