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For those who love to hit the slopes, there never seems to be enough time in the year to go skiing! On top of busy holiday schedules, work obligations, and hit-or-miss travel conditions, it can be truly challenging to find enough time to enjoy winter season while it’s here! Luckily for us, there are countries out there where you can not only get your passport stamped to quell your wanderlust but where you can also plan your winter ski vacation for any time of the year.
Here are five countries where you can ski all year long and see the world while you do it!
7 Best Year-Round Ski Resorts
1. Austria
Austria boasts several glacial slopes where avid skiers can get their fix year-round. In the area of Kaprun, you can hit the hills and in between runs, take a moment to enjoy a local ice bar. Non-skiers can take free guided panoramic hikes around the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier to take in the sights from new heights!
Visitors to Dachstein can also experience skiing along the Dachstein Glacier which also is home to a international training center for cross-country skiers. If that’s not enough year-round action for you, Austria is also home to Hinterlux, one of the only glaciers open for skiers 365 days a year — so you’ll be sure to get uninterrupted access to the snows.
Check out our complete guide to the best ski resorts in Austria if you’d like to learn more.
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2. Switzerland
If you’ve ever been to Disneyland and wondered what the Matterhorn is like in real life, you can enjoy skiing underneath its majestic peaks year-round in Switzerland. For the most avid skiers and those training for professional sport, the slopes are open along the Theodul glacier are offered throughout the year with gorgeous snow and great conditions.
Conditions in the area are consistently snowy regardless of season and the Zermatt Matterhorn Ski Resort offers a “snow guarantee”. Packages for skiers are available in both the summer season and in winter to make finding accommodations easy. The Matterhorn also claims to be “Europe’s highest summer ski area.”
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3. Argentina
While most people don’t think of Argentina as being a ski destination, for the intrepid winter sports lover, Argentina should be a destination of choice. One of the highest ski resorts in Argentina, Las Leñas has altitude to thank for its reliable snow year-round.
In Argentina, skiing is primarily seasonal, with the ski season typically running from June to October in the Andes Mountains. However, some glaciers offer year-round skiing opportunities, particularly in regions like Patagonia.
It may also be tempting to head to the beach while in Argentina, so you can spend a few days getting some sun, then hop on a 90-minute flight from Buenos Aires to enjoy the ultra-dry powder and unique conditions that make this destination so attractive for skiers. So, for this trip, you’ll need to pack your sunscreen and your snow shoes, but it will be a memorable trip, to say the least!
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4. New Zealand
If going this far below the Equator is a once-in-a-lifetime destination for you, you’ll be pleased to know that you can also squeeze in your favorite winter slopes amidst your tours of Kiwi country.
New Zealand is not known for having the most expansive ski resorts, but it is home to two skiing destinations along Mount Ruapehu: Turoa and Whakapapa.
Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano at the southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone in New Zealand. Fortunately for skiers, the last eruption was in 2007 and you can relax at either the Chateau Tongariro Hotel in between runs. No matter what resorts or experiences you choose while visiting New Zealand, you’ll have plenty to explore during your stay.
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5. Canada
Canada is not only home to the much-beloved Tim Horton’s coffee shop chain and grade-A maple syrup, but it hosts plenty off year round skiing in British Columbia to scratch your winter activity itch. While visiting British Columbia, head over to the Blackcomb Glacier to experience the gorgeous summer scenery paired with skiable slopes.
In under an hour, you can ride up Blackcomb Glacier by chairlift to enjoy the gorgeous views of the Whistler Valley below before skiing your way down. With slopes geared for every experience level, there is no shortage of options to enjoy the snow in Canada!
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6. France
While Paris may get most of the acclaim, for the avid skier, Les 2 Alpes is a destination not to be missed! The Mont-de-Lans Glacier is open for skiing for the majority of summer. Skiers can hit the slopes with 11 different runs to choose from from from mid-June through most of August. While in France, you can also visit The Grande Motte Glacier in Tignes. This resort in Tignes offers winter and summer skiing and prides itself on having slopes geared for more intermediate to advanced skiers. In France, you can enjoy a summer camp at a nearby lake, and make your way up the glacier for summertime snow sports!
7. The USA
Open daily from June through August, Timberline Lodge boasts summer skiing at its finest. Mountain operations keep the several lanes across Palmer Snowfield ready, which are used mostly for summer camps. However, the higher terrain always includes at least one lane for public use where advanced skiers are welcome.
Timberline Summer Ski Area is the only year-round ski area in both Canada and the USA. The slopes of the volcanic Mt Hood are home to a ski resort and a popular terrain park. Palmer Snowfield Terrain Park pioneered many features now seen in freestyle terrain parks around the world.
In the Mt. Hood area, there are cross-country skiing trails for all levels, from beginner to expert. Surrounded by protected forest land and excluding a peaceful vibe that makes camping here both restful and restorative, Timberline offers wonderful ways to enjoy snow in the off-season.
Apart from Timberline, honorable mention regarding summer skiing in the USA should go to Mammoth Mountain in the Sierra Nevada in eastern California. After Memorial Day operations there focus on the terrain accessible from the Main Lodge area. Mammoth’s award-winning Unbound Terrain Parks are another summertime option with well-maintained features.
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So, if you’re planning your next ski trip and life’s gotten in the way, don’t despair! You still have plenty of time to plan your next ski adventure, which can be enjoyed any time of year. Plus, you’ll likely get a few key stamps in your passport to boot!
FAQs
What Are the Best Summer Skiing Destinations?
Skiing in the summer season, when the weather warms up, means heading to the highest peaks of North America and Europe or flying to the Southern Hemisphere, to countries like New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and Argentina, where the ski season lasts throughout the spring and summer months.
Where Are the Best Summer Ski Resorts in Europe?
Only a handful of decent summer ski resorts are left today, in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, and Norway. Zermatt in Switzerland is the largest summer ski area and the last remaining ski resort that can truly guarantee snow 365 days a year.
Which Ski Resort in the U.S. Has the Longest Season?
Timberline Lodge, Oregon offers the longest ski season in North America. California’s Mammoth Mountain ski area also has one of the longest seasons in the USA, but the opportunities for real summer skiing depend on snow conditions on skiable terrain.
Why Go on a Summer Skiing Holiday?
Summer skiing holidays can be fun for everyone. Enjoy the best of both worlds where some of the family can go mountain biking or swimming, while the other half can enjoy themselves on the slopes.
Are There Any Snow Storms During Summer Ski Season?
Yes, storms can interrupt summer skiing as well. Even during the summer, ski resorts experience occasional winter season conditions with below-freezing temperatures at night. Winter snow can be any combination of powdery, granular, or icy, summer snow typically alternates between corn and slush.