Where Can You Ski In The Summer In The USA? A Complete Guide
Are you wondering where can you ski in the summer in the United States? You’ve landed in the perfect spot. My husband and I are avid skiers and snowboarders, so it’s always bittersweet when the winter season ends.
We absolutely love hitting the slopes, so discovering places to ski during the summer months is perfect for extending the season and keeping the fun going! Below, you’ll find a selection of spots to ski in the summer.
Where Can You Ski In The Summer USA?
You can ski in the summer in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah. Each state has a ski resort (or a few) that stays open until May and sometimes into June, depending on the snowfall.
There are also states like Washington where you can ski in the summer, but this is typically backcountry skiing, not at a resort.
To add to the list, in my hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia, you can do artificial skiing and snowboarding through the summer months at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre or head to New Jersey to ski indoors at Big SNOW American Dream. I’ll give you all the details about these different options down below.
1. Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
Arapahoe Basin, known locally as A-Basin, is one of my favorite mountains in Colorado. It’s often overshadowed by big names like Breck, Vail, and Keystone, which is part of its charm.
Arapahoe Basin is like a hidden gem. It doesn’t attract the massive crowds that Vail Resorts get; it has a local atmosphere and community, along with a lengthy ski season.
A-Basin features 1,428 skiable acres, which might seem small compared to others on this list, but it’s a small yet mighty resort with an impressive 73% of its terrain designated for advanced and expert riders. The resort receives an average of 350 inches of snowfall annually.
Even more impressive, A-Basin can stay open through the summer, depending on snow and temperatures, and has even remained open into early August before!
2. Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Timberline Lodge, located on Mt. Hood in Oregon, is the only ski area open for ten months of the year.
The ski area boasts 1,685 skiable acres, with the part of the mountain that typically stays open the longest located at the highest point, 8,540 feet. The Palmer Express chairlift at this elevation keeps the skiing and snowboarding going through the late season.
3. Mammoth Mountain, California
Mammoth Mountain in California is well-known for its late ski season. In 2024, they closed over Memorial Day weekend on May 27th, which is pretty close to summer skiing.
It’s also one of the best mountains in California, making it an excellent spot to hit the slopes late in the season. Mammoth Mountain boasts over 3,500 skiable acres and receives an average annual snowfall of 350 inches. While you won’t experience all the terrain or the impressive snowfall in late May or early June, these substantial numbers ensure there will still be some terrain to explore.
4. Palisades Tahoe, California
Palisades Tahoe is my favorite mountain in California. I first visited as a beginner skier and quickly fell in love with its terrain, scenery, and Village area. Palisades also has a fascinating history, having hosted the Winter Olympics, so you can bet the skiing and snowboarding here is exceptional.
Palisades offers 3,600 skiable acres and receives an impressive average annual snowfall of 400 inches. While the resort doesn’t typically stay open as long as A-Basin, you can ski here into May, which is close to summer.
5. Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird is one of my favorite mountains in Utah, and what truly sets this resort apart is its incredible snowfall, which totals a whopping 500 inches each year! Yes, you read that right. 500 inches! Combined with its 2,500 skiable acres, this leads to unbelievable conditions.
Additionally, this snowfall is spread throughout the season, providing ample opportunities to ski early and late. Like most others on this list, Snowbird typically stays open until May.
6. Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, Virginia
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, features a single slope made from an artificial surface called Snowflex. It is designed to replicate the feel of real snow and the experience of skiing and snowboarding.
While it’s a great way to maintain basic skills during the off-season, it is very different from hitting the slopes out West. However, it offers a unique experience if you want to try it. Plus, it’s outdoors, so it’s fun to say you strapped into skis or a snowboard during July, August, or September!
7. Big SNOW American Dream, New Jersey
Did you know there’s an indoor ski complex in New Jersey? I had no idea! Big SNOW American Dream uses snow machines to create an indoor slope for skiers and snowboarders. It offers several different runs with varying levels of difficulty, including an area for beginners.
While it doesn’t compare to skiing out West, it’s a great option and a unique experience for skiing or snowboarding indoors.
FAQs About Where Can You Ski In The Summer USA
Continue reading as I answer a handful of frequently asked questions about skiing in the United States during the summer.
Is there anywhere in the US where you can ski in the summer?
You can ski in the US at resorts like Mammoth Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Palisades Tahoe, and a few others, depending on the snowfall each year.
Where does it snow in the US during summer?
It snows in the US during summer at North Cascade National Park, Mount Hood National Forest, Arapahoe Basin, and a few other locations.
What ski resorts are open year-round in the US?
Two of the only ski resorts open year-round in the US are Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre and Big SNOW American Dream. Keep in mind that I use the term “ski resorts” loosely.
Both of these destinations use artificial means to create their skiing and snowboarding experiences and are not necessarily “resorts”; rather, they have a slope you can go down. However, they are good places to visit to keep winter sports going year-round.
What state can you ski all year-round?
The states you can ski all year round are Washington, Oregon, and Colorado.
Which US ski resorts has the longest season?
The ski resorts with the longest seasons are Mammoth Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Palisades Tahoe, Timberline Lodge, and Snowbird.
Final Thoughts On Where Can You Ski All Year-Round USA
Several places in the United States stay open through the beginning of summer, depending on snowfall. My favorites are Arapahoe Basin, Mammoth Mountain, and Palisades Tahoe.
While these resorts aren’t open during peak summer months like July and August, they can still be open in June, offering a chance to ski at the start of summer.
If you’re truly passionate about skiing and snowboarding, get backcountry certification and avalanche training. This allows you to ski year-round in the backcountry areas of Washington and Oregon.
Those interested in artificial experiences should consider visiting Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre or Big SNOW American Dream. Just be aware that neither of these places will offer magical experiences quite like the mountains out West would.
Lastly, although this article focuses on summer skiing in the United States, I recommend venturing out of the country to places renowned for their summer skiing with actual snow and powder days during this time. Consider visiting New Zealand, Chile, or Australia.
I hope this list helps you find places to ski in the summer. While the experience won’t be as good as peak winter, these spots should allow you to keep your skis and snowboard out a bit longer. Happy skiing or boarding!
