If you live in the U.S. and feel like the 25/26 ski season was short-lived, no need to worry, as there are many other ski resorts around the world that actually stay open all year round. Below is a list of some of the most famous summer and all-year-round ski resorts.Â
Timberline Lodge, Oregon (Palmer Glacier)Â Â
Timberline Lodge it is located on Mt. Hood in Oregon, on the south slope of the mountain, where Palmer Glacier is located. Summer skiing typically centers on Palmer Snowfield, where camps and freestyle training take place. But the mountain always leaves a part open to the public. A single lift takes skiers to the top of Palmer snowfield for endless summer laps and carves. Timberline Lodge is one of the only ski resorts in the U.S. that stays open into mid-August. Despite this year's snow conditions in the western U.S. ski states, On The Snow has projected an August 16 closing date for Timberline Lodge. The resort has a base depth of 72 inches with 19/43 runs open. As of now, lift tickets for adults are $124, teens are $78, ages 7-12 and 65+ are $80, and children under 6 are free! These prices are subject to change over the summertime though.
Zermatt, Switzerland (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise)
While the rest of Switzerland is enjoying beautiful hikes and lakes in the Alps, the world-renowned Zermatt ski resort has the largest and highest summer ski area on the Theodul Glacier (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise). The glacier provides around 13 miles (21km) of skiable slopes. Theodul also attracts some of the world's most famous freestyle skiers, as it has one of the most popular freestyle training parks in the summer. There is a gondola station located about a 20-minute walk from Zermatt’s town Center that can take you to the second gondola you will need to ride on to reach the glacier. The first gondola takes you to Trockener Steg, where you can transfer to the second gondola, which takes you to the Matterhorn ski area. The glacier is said to be best skied in the morning, as lifts open around 7:30 am and typically stop running around 2:00 pm, giving people plenty of time for après or shopping in town. Tickets for adults typically cost around $130 U.S., and tickets for children under 16 cost between $50 and $60 U.S.
Hintertux Glacier, Austria
Another European glacier that offers ultimate summer skiing is the Hintertux Glacier, located near Innsbruck, Austria. The Glacier is located in the Zillertal Alps, which is part of the Ski and Glacier World Zillertal ski area. To reach the ski area, the gondola station is in the valley station in Hintertux, where there is a three-stage Gletscherbus gondola that takes you to the ski area. Lifts typically run between 8:15 am to around 4:30 pm. The ski area offers beautiful views of the Austrian Alps.
Portillo, ChileÂ
While the rest of the world is in summer mode, the Southern Hemisphere is in winter mode, offering some of the best skiing from June through September. Portillo resort is located in the heart of the Chilean Andes, offering ski-in-ski-out hotels. The resort offers terrain for all levels, but it is a playground for more advanced skiers, offering steep slopes with endless powder. The best way to get to the resort is to fly into Santiago and either rent a car or take a private car. The drive takes about 2.5 to 3 hours from the airport. One of the best parts about this resort is the lift tickets. Adult tickets range from $50-$70 U.S., children (5-11) from $40-$50 U.S., 65+ from $20-$30 U.S., children under 4 from about $14 U.S., and teens (12-17) from $40-$50 U.S. Try to find a resort with world-class skiing and ticket prices like that in the U.S.
Valle Nevado, ChileÂ
Another South American ski resort, Valle Nevado Chile offers one of the largest skiable areas in the Andes. This mountain offers multiple hotels and restaurants, providing a full resort experience. The mountain provides approximately 2,200 acres of skiable terrain, 44 slopes, and 13 ski lifts. Just like Portillo, the best way to get to Valle Nevado is to fly into Santiago and then rent or hire a car for the 90-minute drive. This resort is included on the Ikon pass, but regular adult tickets are typically $90-$100 U.S. Children up to 12 years old and seniors 75+ ski free. Tickets for teens and young adults cost around $100 U.S.Â
Treble Cone, New ZealandÂ
If you want to head down under this summer, it is New Zealand’s prime ski season, especially for Treble Cone mountain, offering some of the best skiing in the southern island of New Zealand. The mountain has 1,359 acres of skiable terrain, and the season typically runs from June to September. This mountain is known for its breathtaking views of New Zealand's mountains and legendary off-piste terrain. The best way to get to the resort is either to take a paid ski shuttle from Queenston or to rent a car. Treble Cone does not offer lodging at the mountain, so staying near Wanaka is usually the best option. An adult day pass typically costs around $110 U.S.
