Summary
You don’t have to wait until winter to visit your favorite ski destinations. In recent years, resorts around the U.S. have amped up their warm-weather offerings to attract visitors year-round.
When the snow melts and temperatures rise, America’s top mountain towns become home to an ever-growing slate of outdoor adventures, including golfing, hiking, zip lining, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, live concerts, food festivals, and more. Plus, you can explore the great outdoors and enjoy breathtaking scenery and fresh mountain air without the winter crowds.
Here are 10 dynamic ski destinations in the U.S. that are perfect for summer adventures, too. Many of these locations offer lodging prices well below peak season rates.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Wyoming’s winter wonderland stuns when the powder melts away too — vibrant flowers bloom in valleys and on hills, native wildlife is abundant, and the weather becomes perfect for hiking and biking. Moreover, the town’s proximity to two national parks — Grand Teton and Yellowstone — makes it ideal for exploring the wilderness and alpine terrain.
Jackson Hole’s annual Summer Festival invites the country’s top chefs and winemakers to join local culinary talent for a weekend of tastings and events.
Other attractions include scenic horseback rides, exhilarating via ferrata, top-notch dining at Teton Thai and Piste Mountain Bistro, the Four Seasons spa, and an iconic experience at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Pro tip: Take the aerial tram up to Corbet’s Cabin for brown sugar butter waffles and awe-inspiring views at 10,450 feet.
Park City, Utah
Park City may be best known for hosting the star-studded Sundance Film Festival and having the largest ski resort in the country, but summer in this old mining town is hard to beat. In addition to off-peak rates, guests can enjoy fly fishing on Provo River and 400 miles of trails (for hiking, biking, and horseback riding) to scenic chairlift rides and Utah’s largest mountain coaster. Furthermore, adventure seekers can visit Olympic Park for summer bobsledding, zip lining, challenging ropes courses, and extreme tubing. Park City also hosts numerous festivals showcasing local music, art, craft beer, and wine all season long.
Aspen, Colorado
Summer in Colorado’s famous Rocky Mountain town offers everything from world-class culinary festivals to family-friendly excitement at Lost Forest adventure park. Break out your hiking boots and traverse 25 miles of spectacular Snowmass trails, experience Aspen from new heights while paragliding over rocky peaks, take in the sunset from a hot air balloon, or scale the side of a mountain during a rock-climbing excursion. Then, stroll through the charming downtown area filled with swanky boutiques, art galleries, and high-end eateries along Restaurant Row. Pro tip: Stop to admire the breathtaking natural beauty of Maroon Bells — two of the most photographed mountains in North America, which tower 14,000 feet over crystal-clear Maroon Lake.
Sugarloaf, Maine
As the largest ski area east of the Rockies and home to one of Maine’s premier golf courses, Sugarloaf offers a relaxed, small-town atmosphere with a fun-filled calendar of events, from an après series featuring local craft beer to live outdoor concerts during the summer. Other seasonal activities include scenic lift rides, golfing, zip lining, hiking, and kayaking on Flagstaff Lake. This year, more area restaurants and shops are open than ever before.
Snowbasin, Utah
One of the oldest mountain resorts in North America, Snowbasin is a 3,000-acre outdoor playground with rugged terrain to explore year-round. Visitors can sightsee and access more than 20 trails by foot, bike, or gondola, and they can play mini golf on an 18-hole course surrounded by picturesque Wasatch Mountains. Perched at the resort’s top, Needles Lodge provides a dining experience at 8,700 feet, showcasing magnificent views of the Ogden Valley and beyond. Furthermore, Snowbasin boasts a packed event schedule that includes a Blues, Brews, and BBQ live music series and a German-themed SnowWiesn Oktoberfest.
Sun Valley, Idaho
Founded in 1936 as North America’s first destination ski resort, Sun Valley offers year-round fun for locals and visitors alike. Visitors can play a round at award-winning golf courses, indulge in luxury at the spa, or take a scenic horse-drawn wagon ride through the valley. Other highlights include mountaintop yoga, lift access to Bald Mountain for 3,400 vertical feet of hiking and biking trails, a myriad of concerts featuring Grammy Award-winning artists, and Sun Valley on Ice showcasing an impressive lineup of Olympic figure skaters at the outdoor ice rink. Pro tip: Thanks to the clean air and high elevation, stargazing in Sun Valley is truly breathtaking.
Vail, Colorado
When the mountains are blanketed in greenery and wildflowers bloom under sunny skies, it’s a magical time to visit Vail. Visitors can explore Bavarian-inspired villages, engage in various mountain and river adventures, and attend the GoPro Mountain Games, a big celebration of outdoor sports. Beyond its many acclaimed restaurants, the town also features several culinary events that showcase top local talent and Colorado-produced ingredients, from a farm-to-table dinner series to the Vail Wine Classic in August. Don’t miss summer concerts, comedy shows, or dance performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, an extraordinary outdoor venue set under the stars and surrounded by majestic mountains.
Lake Tahoe, California
With stunning Sierra mountain scenery and the crystal-clear lake, North Lake Tahoe is a picturesque locale with a diverse range of activities. Visitors can partake in on-lake adventures such as rafting and stand-up paddleboarding, alongside biking, golfing, zip lining, and Squaw Valley’s newest outdoor adventure: a via ferrata, combining climbing, hiking, and ascending an 800-foot vertical cliff. Other summer attractions include Shakespeare on the lake and plenty of live music experiences, from weekly concerts on the beach to mountain festivals. Pro tip: Don’t miss raising a glass along the scenic Tahoe Rum Trail.
Whiteface, Lake Placid
Located in the small town of Wilmington near historic Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain is an enchanting retreat for the whole family. Visitors can enjoy nine-hole disc golf, fly fishing on the Ausable River, dine at the highest food truck in New York, and take a gondola to the top of Little Whiteface. Take in the scenery from lush hardwood forests to spectacular waterfalls on a guided nature walk or trek up Bear Den Mountain for a more challenging trail. No trip to the Adirondacks is complete without a drive up the mountain along Veterans Memorial Highway to see the two-story stone castle and 360-degree panoramic views at the summit.
Beech Mountain, North Carolina
You may not think of North Carolina as a winter sports destination, but Beech Mountain Resort offers something for the entire family in every season. Warm weather activities include disc golf on a newly redesigned course, mountain biking, and chairlift rides up to 5506′ Skybar (named for its elevation) for food and drinks, live music, and tranquil yoga classes with panoramic Blue Ridge views. Pro tip: Be sure to stop at Beech Mountain Brewing Co. for a handcrafted brew and their famous beer cheese nachos.
