Ski Towns Are the Most Underrated Summer Destination—Here’s Where to Go
Shoulder season is when the mountains really come into their own.
Visit Truckee-Tahoe
The Western ranges are known as outdoor playgrounds in the winter, marked by majestic mountain terrain, world-class snow, and top-tier resorts. But what often goes overlooked is the time after the snow has melted, when the backcountry becomes bike corridors and alpine ascents transform into hiking trails, giving outdoor enthusiasts something to look forward to long after the last chairlift has closed. Considering the West has struggled with a winter season marked by some of the lowest snowfall on record, visiting these mountain towns in the off-season is not only an opportunity to explore with fewer crowds but also to support small businesses that could use a boost.
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky Resort
It’s hard to argue with the glory of winters in Big Sky, the premier ski town in the Rockies. The melt makes way for sweeping views of Southwest Montana via the newly opened Kircliff tram that heads up Lone Peak, leading to a new all-glass summit observatory that provides 360° views of life below. Nearby Bozeman adds access to limestone sport climbing in Gallatin Canyon, blue-ribbon trout rivers, and trail systems that stretch straight out of town.
Park City, Utah
Park City Chamber/Bureau
Park City is the largest ski resort in the U.S., and that big, wide-open space transforms into more than 400 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, winding through sage flats, aspen groves, and alpine ridges with views over the Wasatch, and many of the trails are served by lifts, helping travelers access the high-alpine terrain year-round. Add in a trip to the High West Distillery, a visit to the Utah Olympic Park Museum, and some fly-fishing on the Provo, and you’ve got yourself a proper summer vacay.
Truckee, California
Visit Truckee-Tahoe
Summer in the Sierra is a blend of alpine hiking, big mountain biking, lake days, and adrenaline-inducing vertical terrain. The area also offers classic trad and sport climbing at nearby Lover’s Leap and Donner Summit, with routes for all skill levels along granite faces etched into the Tahoe landscape, and a via ferrata at the resort Palisades Tahoe as well.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Courtesy of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
The Tetons are a year-round wonder, offering granite peaks for climbing, gravel grinding, and peak wildlife viewing and alpine hiking. Make like Ansel Adams did and spend a couple of days photographing the magic of the Snake River, which flows through the valley floor and opens itself up as a veritable playground for whitewater rafting as well. Horseback riding and rodeo are also popular in the warmer months and are worth checking out in this unique corner of the Cowboy State. And it goes without saying that it’s an excellent base camp to visit the nearby Yellowstone National Park.
Bend, Oregon
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Situated in the volcanic high desert, Bend is beloved by mountain bikers and climbers alike. Deschutes River offers excellent kayaking and floating, and the city’s super dog-friendly vibe and ample craft breweries make for a proper summer town. With Cascade Mountain peaks on the horizon and high-desert sunshine nearly guaranteed, summer here feels like one long outdoor happy hour.
