The ski season is when the magic happens. Still, even after the snow melts, the mountains are worth your time.
A good ski town, like those detailed in this list, is a bit like a Swiss Army Knife. Depending on your bandwidth, you could spend a summer trip at one of these locales sipping craft beer, mountain biking, schlepping up a mountainside, or some combination of all three.
Variety is often the key to a successful vacation, so the more options you have, the better. Then, all you need to do is tailor your experience, meeting whichever level of intensity you’re after. Keep reading for some mountain towns you should consider visiting. Make sure to bring a little Dermatone along for the ride, though—sunburns are a lot less fun than goggle tans.
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There’s also the other Lake Louise (it’s a ski resort this time), where visitors can hitch a ride on the gondola for some higher-altitude sightseeing. The same is true at two additional ski resorts in the Banff area, Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay. Countless hikes traverse the mountains around Banff, so those who prefer to earn their views won’t be left wanting, either. The town of Banff, meanwhile, houses plenty of lodging, places to refuel, and a bus line that deposits visitors at the muscle-soothing Banff Upper Hot Springs . Snow or sun, Lake Tahoe, California, is an incredibly popular spot.
What, then, does Lake Tahoe become when the snow melts? For one, it’s also busy. But that’s for good reason—this wedge of Californian terrain is as pretty as it gets. The lake itself is deep, blue, and perfect for summer dips, although you might need to do some sniffing around to find a beach that isn’t blown up (we, for our part, aren’t going to list anyone’s secret spots). Mountain bikers will be entertained by the numerous trails on offer, too, and there’s even a top-rated disc golf course at Donner Ski Ranch.
Given that Lake Tahoe is, well, a lake and not a single municipality, there’s a distinct choose-your-own-adventure element for visitors to the area. Each town around Lake Tahoe has something different going on, from sleepier fare to the casino-packed South Shore. You might be able to guess what we prefer, but this is your prospective trip we’re talking about, and at Lake Tahoe, know this: you've got options. That includes blackjack. The Stawamus Chief towers above Squamish, British Columbia.
A dense network of mountain biking trails sprawls outwards from Squamish, and the Stawamus Chief, an enormous granite monolith popular amongst climbers, looms over the town. If you'd rather avoid the ropes and belay devices, you can hike to the top of the Stawamus Chief, too. There’s also the Sea to Sky Gondola , which deposits visitors at another vantage point above Howe Sound.
In short, it doesn’t matter whether you like to hike, bike, climb, or soak in the natural splendor without too much additional effort—Squamish has something for almost everyone in the summer. That includes eats, too. For brunch, try Fergie’s or the Crabapple Cafe. Post-activity beers can be snagged at Backcountry Brewing or A-Frame, and there are at least four places to sample sushi.
To the south is Vancouver, British Columbia, a buzzing metro hub with a slew of additional urban sidequests to tackle. You could easily carve out an entire week of activities up and down the Sea to Sky with Squamish as your base camp.
However, depending on the year and snowpack, Mammoth Mountain might still be open for skiing if you show up in the late spring or summer. In 2023, heaps of snow fell the winter prior, and the resort offered lift-accessed turns until August. During a more regular season, Mammoth Mountain remains open through at least Memorial Day, so it’s worth checking in on the resort’s operations before you book a trip—you might want your skis in your bag.
Similar to Squamish, Mammoth Lakes is also primed for additional day trips outside of town. In one direction is June Lake, a pristine, crystal-clear body of water ideal for swimming, boating, or lounging on the sandy eastern edge. On the other side is Bishop, a town favored by climbers everywhere for its top-notch routes and boulders. Either diversion is worth checking out, depending on how intense of a trip you want. Fans of sweet treats and the great outdoors will be right at home in Stowe.
Don’t worry—there are also plenty of opportunities to burn calories around Stowe. The town sits near the base of Stowe Mountain Resort, which, during the summer, remains open with a scenic gondola , a rock climbing wall, and numerous hikes. The fun continues elsewhere. Around Stowe—the town, not the ski resort—are more than 65 miles of interconnected mountain biking trails. The access is such that, over a decade ago, The Boston Globe referred to Stowe as an up-and-coming “mountain biking mecca.”
You can cool off after a tough ride at one of the many swimming holes in the area or normalize your blood sugar levels by sucking down a pint of Vermont-made syrup from Stowe Maple Products (don’t actually drink the whole thing in one sitting, of course). Fans of sweet treats, as you might’ve guessed by now, will be right at home in Stowe. Sun Valley lives up to its name.
Government Camp, Oregon, offers something a little different. If you arrive in the town during the summer, you can still go skiing on real snow. Timberline Lodge , one of the town’s local ski areas, is a rare mountain that consistently remains open for skiing during the warmer months. The resort is pilgrimage-worthy on its own, but Government Camp also features activities for non-skiers, too.
The nearby Trillium Lake is one of the finer bodies of water you’ll encounter and provides stellar views of the towering Mt. Hood . The Huckleberry Inn serves up impeccable diner vibes. And down the road from Government Camp is Hood River, a picturesque town home to breweries, wineries, and windsurfing opportunities along the banks of the Columbia River. Summer ski turns followed by a bit of red wine is a hard combination to beat.
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A good ski town, like those detailed in this list, is a bit like a Swiss Army Knife. Depending on your bandwidth, you could spend a summer trip at one of these locales sipping craft beer, mountain biking, schlepping up a mountainside, or some combination of all three.
Variety is often the key to a successful vacation, so the more options you have, the better. Then, all you need to do is tailor your experience, meeting whichever level of intensity you’re after. Keep reading for some mountain towns you should consider visiting. Make sure to bring a little Dermatone along for the ride, though—sunburns are a lot less fun than goggle tans.
Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates. Banff, Alberta, will knock you flat on your *ss.
1. Banff, Alberta
Banff, Alberta, will knock you flat on your *ss. We’re not joking. The town is located within the confines of Banff National Park, and wherever you look, you’re bound to catch a glimpse of an enormous mountain or two. The alpine display is such that, at times, Banff feels downright European in the best possible way. To maximize that fantasy, visit Lake Louise , a turquoise, glacier-fed body of water with an admittedly spendy Fairmont hotel at its banks. The blend of architecture and landscape could've been ripped from the screen of a Wes Anderson movie.There’s also the other Lake Louise (it’s a ski resort this time), where visitors can hitch a ride on the gondola for some higher-altitude sightseeing. The same is true at two additional ski resorts in the Banff area, Sunshine Village and Mt. Norquay. Countless hikes traverse the mountains around Banff, so those who prefer to earn their views won’t be left wanting, either. The town of Banff, meanwhile, houses plenty of lodging, places to refuel, and a bus line that deposits visitors at the muscle-soothing Banff Upper Hot Springs . Snow or sun, Lake Tahoe, California, is an incredibly popular spot.
2. Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe, California, is a bucket-list-worthy ski spot in the winter. Fifteen ski areas and ski resorts are located around the lake, including the likes of Palisades Tahoe, Kirkwood , and Heavenly . The sheer density of skiable terrain goes further with easily accessible backcountry zones. It should come as no surprise, then, that, in the winter—particularly after heavy snowfall—Lake Tahoe is jam-packed with skiers.What, then, does Lake Tahoe become when the snow melts? For one, it’s also busy. But that’s for good reason—this wedge of Californian terrain is as pretty as it gets. The lake itself is deep, blue, and perfect for summer dips, although you might need to do some sniffing around to find a beach that isn’t blown up (we, for our part, aren’t going to list anyone’s secret spots). Mountain bikers will be entertained by the numerous trails on offer, too, and there’s even a top-rated disc golf course at Donner Ski Ranch.
Given that Lake Tahoe is, well, a lake and not a single municipality, there’s a distinct choose-your-own-adventure element for visitors to the area. Each town around Lake Tahoe has something different going on, from sleepier fare to the casino-packed South Shore. You might be able to guess what we prefer, but this is your prospective trip we’re talking about, and at Lake Tahoe, know this: you've got options. That includes blackjack. The Stawamus Chief towers above Squamish, British Columbia.
3. Squamish, British Columbia
Located along the stunning Sea to Sky highway, Squamish, British Columbia, is an outdoor access mega-convergence point. Just north of the town is Whistler Blackcomb , the largest ski resort in North America, which, in the summer, offers scenic lift rides, hiking, and ziplines .A dense network of mountain biking trails sprawls outwards from Squamish, and the Stawamus Chief, an enormous granite monolith popular amongst climbers, looms over the town. If you'd rather avoid the ropes and belay devices, you can hike to the top of the Stawamus Chief, too. There’s also the Sea to Sky Gondola , which deposits visitors at another vantage point above Howe Sound.
In short, it doesn’t matter whether you like to hike, bike, climb, or soak in the natural splendor without too much additional effort—Squamish has something for almost everyone in the summer. That includes eats, too. For brunch, try Fergie’s or the Crabapple Cafe. Post-activity beers can be snagged at Backcountry Brewing or A-Frame, and there are at least four places to sample sushi.
To the south is Vancouver, British Columbia, a buzzing metro hub with a slew of additional urban sidequests to tackle. You could easily carve out an entire week of activities up and down the Sea to Sky with Squamish as your base camp.
4. Mammoth Lakes, California
For hardcore skiers in the know, Mammoth Mountain, California, is a land of sudden, absurd snowfall totals. Single winter storms here are capable of producing multiple feet of powder, leaving the resort and its accompanying town, Mammoth Lakes , buried. But as the snow thaws and a different pace of life kicks in, there’s plenty to do beyond storm-chasing, whether that’s trout fishing or climbing.However, depending on the year and snowpack, Mammoth Mountain might still be open for skiing if you show up in the late spring or summer. In 2023, heaps of snow fell the winter prior, and the resort offered lift-accessed turns until August. During a more regular season, Mammoth Mountain remains open through at least Memorial Day, so it’s worth checking in on the resort’s operations before you book a trip—you might want your skis in your bag.
Similar to Squamish, Mammoth Lakes is also primed for additional day trips outside of town. In one direction is June Lake, a pristine, crystal-clear body of water ideal for swimming, boating, or lounging on the sandy eastern edge. On the other side is Bishop, a town favored by climbers everywhere for its top-notch routes and boulders. Either diversion is worth checking out, depending on how intense of a trip you want. Fans of sweet treats and the great outdoors will be right at home in Stowe.
5. Stowe, Vermont
Ever wanted to see how a pint of Ben & Jerry’s gets made? If so, Stowe , Vermont, is worth visiting. Just outside town is the Waterbury Ben & Jerry’s factory where, for $6, you learn about the process behind jam-band-inspired ice cream classics like Cherry Garcia and Phish Food.Don’t worry—there are also plenty of opportunities to burn calories around Stowe. The town sits near the base of Stowe Mountain Resort, which, during the summer, remains open with a scenic gondola , a rock climbing wall, and numerous hikes. The fun continues elsewhere. Around Stowe—the town, not the ski resort—are more than 65 miles of interconnected mountain biking trails. The access is such that, over a decade ago, The Boston Globe referred to Stowe as an up-and-coming “mountain biking mecca.”
You can cool off after a tough ride at one of the many swimming holes in the area or normalize your blood sugar levels by sucking down a pint of Vermont-made syrup from Stowe Maple Products (don’t actually drink the whole thing in one sitting, of course). Fans of sweet treats, as you might’ve guessed by now, will be right at home in Stowe. Sun Valley lives up to its name.
6. Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho
Top 10 mountain lakes? Get Trillium on the list.7. Government Camp, Oregon
Ski town summer sojourns conjure images of ziplines, glittering alpine lakes, and late, hazy evenings spent sipping pungent IPAs on the deck of a brewery (or PBR at a campfire—pick your poison). What they don’t typically involve is skiing—that’s for the other time of year.Government Camp, Oregon, offers something a little different. If you arrive in the town during the summer, you can still go skiing on real snow. Timberline Lodge , one of the town’s local ski areas, is a rare mountain that consistently remains open for skiing during the warmer months. The resort is pilgrimage-worthy on its own, but Government Camp also features activities for non-skiers, too.
The nearby Trillium Lake is one of the finer bodies of water you’ll encounter and provides stellar views of the towering Mt. Hood . The Huckleberry Inn serves up impeccable diner vibes. And down the road from Government Camp is Hood River, a picturesque town home to breweries, wineries, and windsurfing opportunities along the banks of the Columbia River. Summer ski turns followed by a bit of red wine is a hard combination to beat.
