The Ultimate Summer Rocky Mountain Ski Town Road Trip Guide

The sun is shining, the rivers are flowing, and what better way to experience summer's beauty than a road trip? But, you're still dreaming of those clean lines you skied this past season. Well, you're in luck because this ultimate Rocky Mountain road trip from New Mexico to Whistler, Canada, will give you all the summer vibes mixed with that ski town magic. 

Given that this is the ultimate summer ski town road trip, it will most likely take between 10 and 14 days, or even longer if you want. It will all be worth it in the end, though, even if your boss is mad about how much time you need to take off. Don’t forget your passport for this road trip, as you won’t only be seeing the U.S. Rockies. 

New Mexico 

To start this road trip off with a bang, we are starting in the southern New Mexico Rockies. I’d recommend either flying into Albuquerque and getting your rental car or van there, or if you can drive, start the trip from there. If you do rent a car, there is an option of dropping it off at the Vancouver Airport if you want to fly out of there after the road trip. 

After arriving in Albuquerque, you’ll want to head north on I-25 up to Santa Fe. Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is known for its art, adobe's, and Native American culture. I recommend taking a couple of hours to walk around the town square or some of the local museums. If you're an art enthusiast, you might want to spend more time here and make a spot in your car for a piece of artwork, as it is hard to resist all the amazing artwork in Santa Fe.

From Santa Fe, head up to Taos, where the iconic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Taos Pueblo, and Taos Ski Valley are located. Personally, I would take a day here to see the sights and definitely do a hike in the ski valley, as it offers stunning views and alpine lakes. Williams Lake is a popular alpine lake trail in the valley. After your hike, I’d recommend stopping at The Bavarian German Beer Garden for a nice snack and cold beer. 

Colorado 

After 1 to 2 days in New Mexico, it’s time to head to the holy land of the Rockies, Colorado. From Taos, head through towns like Durango and Ouray to get to Telluride. If you want the more scenic route, take the famous Million Dollar Highway to really immerse yourself in Colorado’s beauty.

The drive will take about 7 hours, but the views along the way will make it feel shorter. Telluride is a town you will want to spend at least 2 days in, as it is considered one of Colorado’s most beautiful mountain towns and has a rich mining history. While you're there, don’t miss the famous 365-foot Bridal Falls, which you can see in some spots throughout town. Another fun activity is taking the gondola up, which runs all summer, to see amazing views of Colorado 14ers. If you really want to make the experience special, there is Alfred’s fine-dining restaurant at the top where you can dine with a view.

After a couple of days in Telluride, head out to Crested Butte and try to get there around lunch time, as Crested Butte offers an authentic ski town vibe that doesn’t feel like it’s been turned into an upscale money grabber town. In the summer, Crested Butte is known for their wildflowers, especially in July and early August. If you're lucky enough to be there during peak wildflower season, definitely make a day out of it and do a hike or two through flower-filled meadows. Dispersed campsites like Washington Gulch are great options for spending a night in Crested Butte. 

From Crested Butte, you’ll make the 5 and half hour drive up to Steamboat, an iconic ski town known for its mix of ski bum vibes and western culture. In the summer, Cottonwood Canyon Road is usually open, which will take you through Steamboat’s endless ranching land. After arriving, I’m sure your body will need a reset after all the hiking and driving you’ve already done, and what better way to reset your body than dipping into a hot spring? Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs is one of Steamboat's most famous natural hot springs, where you can sit back and relax in the mineral-rich water. 

Wyoming

After a night or day of soaking in hot springs and exploring Steamboat's town, the cowboy vibe will continue as your next stop is Jackson, Wyoming, where the famous Teton Mountains and Jackson Hole Ski Resort are. The drive from Steamboat will be one of the longer stretches, taking 8 hours, but I promise, seeing the Tetons is a must on this road trip, and it will be so worth it.

Once you arrive in Jackson, take some time to explore the town, as it feels like you're stepping back into Old West times. To really get into the cowboy theme, step into The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, which is located in the main square. Inside, you’ll find horse saddles as seats along the bar and maybe even some live western music. After having fun pretending to be a cowboy, head to a campsite with great views of the Tetons, which are the main showstopper here.

Shadow Mountain dispersed camping is a great free option with views, but I recommend getting there early. Definitely take at least two days here, as you’ll want to do some hikes in Grand Teton National Park. Don’t forget your bear spray, though, as this marks the beginning of grizzly country on the road trip. You could even add another day in the trip to explore Yellowstone National Park, as it is only an hour drive from the Tetons. But don’t underestimate the park's size and give yourself time if you do want to explore it. 

Montana 

Either from Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park, you’ll head up to Big Sky, Montana and then to Whitefish, Montana, which is close to Glacier National Park. Definitely split this drive into 2 days, as Big Sky is in southern Montana, and Whitefish is in northern Montana, near the Canadian border. In Big Sky, it takes some time to explore the ski resort, as it is the largest in the United States and offers spectacular views and landscapes.

On your way to Whitefish, be sure to look out for buffalo, as you can find them on ranches or on Native American reservations. Whitefish is kind of like the “Aspen” of Montana, but still more lowkey than Aspen. You might see the occasional person in a big flat-brimmed hat, though. Take some time to explore the town as it offers fun shopping. If you run into a huckleberry shop, it is a must to try a huckleberry pie, as they are local berries to the area that are delicious. Now, this isn’t technically part of the road trip, but I think it is a detour well worth it. On the way to the Canadian border, go through Glacier National Park and take the Going-to-the-Sun Road, as it is one of the most scenic roads in America. Not to be dramatic, but it is quite the experience. 

Canada 

Alright, it’s time for the final stretch. If you go through Glacier on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you’ll end up on the Northeast side of the park, which is only about 20-30 minutes from the Canadian border. Once you’ve crossed the border near Waterton Lakes National Park, which I recommend stopping at if you don’t mind the added time. Take Highway 2 all the way up to Calgary, then head west towards Banff and Lake Louise. To be honest, the views from the drive will be the showstopper of this part of the trip, as it is considered the crown jewel road. You’ll pass glaciers, waterfalls, huge mountains, and most likely some wildlife.

Once you get to Lake Louise, take a couple of days to explore the beautiful lake surrounded by mountains, and if you have time, maybe a hike or two in Banff National Park. Camping is strictly prohibited in the Banff National Park Area, including Lake Louise, but there are a few spots outside of the boundary line that are still close. Some of those include Two Jack Lakeside Campground and Tunnel Mountain Village II Campground. 

The next stop through Canada will be Revelstoke, a beloved area for serious and advanced skiers. Camping in Revelstoke is not as strict as the Banff area and offers many great campground options, as you can’t go wrong with any views there. The drive from Lake Louise to Revelstoke is about 2 and a half hours, which gives you plenty of time to relax and find a campsite in Revelstoke. I recommend relaxing at a campsite in Revelstoke, as the next part of this journey is a long final stretch. The drive from Revelstoke to Whistler takes about 8-9 hours, where you eventually get on the famous Canadian highway “Sea-to-sky” as Whistler is close to the ocean border. You can either split this drive up or push through, as there is much to see and do in Whistler.

Once you’ve made it to Whistler, congrats, you have officially completed the ultimate Rocky Mountain Roadtrip. While in Whistler, be sure to take multiple days to jump into crystal-blue alpine lakes, ride the gondola in the ski valley for ultimate Canadian Rocky Mountain views, and don’t miss the Cloudraker SkyBridge. After a road trip like this, you deserve a nice bed and shower so treat yourself to one of Whistler's many hotels, even if it’s just for a night. 

Hopefully, by the end of this trip, you’ll feel all the ski-town magic and vibes, even in the dead of summer.