Enthusiasts of snow sports can hit the slopes even as late as summer at certain resorts throughout the nation, even though warm weather usually concludes the skiing season.

Although America’s ski season typically spans from November to early April — which is soon approaching — enthusiasts of wintery pursuits can revel in picturesque mountain landscapes and snow-covered terrains all the way until August.

A list compiled by
National Geographic
unveiled seven ski resorts for skiers and snowboarders who aren’t quite prepared to abandon their favorite pastimes.

Certainly, the duration of the season can differ because of various elements such as how often it snows, temperature levels, where the resort is situated, its elevation, and the capability to produce artificial snow.
Snow Skool
.

The resort’s fame contributes to this decision as well, since they have to determine whether extending their operating period beyond what was initially planned would be financially beneficial.

Visiting ski resorts towards the end of the season offers numerous advantages such as fewer crowds on both the slopes and amenities, along with more affordable ticket prices.

Although these seven resorts provide skiing slopes deep into the summer months, several others have closed prematurely, bringing their seasons to an earlier conclusion.
Ski Southeast
reported.

Nevertheless, these resorts offer extensive ski seasons for snow enthusiasts to enjoy the chill while others endure the warmth.

Timberline Lodge, Oregon

Timberline Lodge, located on Mount Hood, is celebrated for having the longest snow season in North America.

The previous season ran for an unprecedented duration, stretching from December 2, 2023 to August 18, 2024. During this time, the resort accumulated a total of 611 inches of documented snowfall.

According to the information provided, the lodge also provides summer-specific snow-related activities such as summer snow camps and various training programs.
resort’s website
.

According to National Geographic, Olympic athletes and professional racers often gather at this location during the summer to keep up with their training.

Timberline also highlights its snow sports beyond skiing and snowboarding, such as snowshoeing—basically hiking through the snow—and experiencing thrilling journeys via a machine known as a snowcat along beautiful trails.

The lodge states that their snow season will continue for at least another month, extending till the end of May.

Mammoth Mountain, California

Mammoth Mountain offers an impressive extended ski season on the West Coast, according to National Geographic.

The towering summit stands at 11,053 feet above sea level and typically accumulates 400 inches of snow annually.

Winter windstorms extend the resort’s operating season because they create thick snow layers that remain stable even when temperatures increase.

It is anticipated this year that the Mammoth Resort will shut down on Memorial Day, which falls on May 26.
On the Snow
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However, it has continued beyond the holiday period in previous years. The longest documented snow season was from 1994 to 1995, with the resort operating from October 8 to August 13.

Mammoth Mountain is referred to as the highest lift-serviced four-season resort and playground in California, according to its description.
website
.

The resort also features June Mountain, offering a more family-oriented and beginner-friendly skiing experience. It provides

stunning vistas of the Sierra Nevada and usually sees fewer crowds compared to Mammoth Mountain.

Mount Bohemia, Michigan

Mount Bohemia is a preferred destination for experienced snow enthusiasts due to its challenging landscape and untamed trails, as mentioned before.
website
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“It’s reminiscent of classic European ski towns where skiing was taken very seriously,” said Bohemia President Lonie Glieberman to the Farovint.

A standout feature of the resort is its stunning Nordic spa, which includes hot tubs, saunas, and swimming areas.

‘Böhmen transforms into a winter wonderland during the spring and off-season, where visitors typically enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the mornings before plunging into the Nordic spa around two o’clock,’ Glieberman elaborated.

‘Thus, essentially, the afternoon turns into a huge après-ski celebration, which we believe is one of the most awesome ski destinations worldwide.’

The previous year, the Midwest’s skiing season ended prematurely when Mount Bohemia shut down operations on March 3rd, significantly ahead of schedule. This early closure was attributed to unseasonably warm weather conditions and insufficient snowfall.

It was an unprecedentedly low snowfall year in the Midwest last year,” Glieberman stated. “The records show it as the least snowy season in Bohemian history, accompanied by unusually warm temperatures.

Typically, the season stretches from November through late April. However, they have several times pushed their season into May.

Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

Arapahoe Basin, commonly referred to as A-Basin, holds the distinction of being the highest ski resort in North America with an elevation of 13,050 feet.

The elevation of the slope provides the resort with an edge, enabling it to remain snow-covered much longer than many other Colorado resorts do when they close for the season.

Atop our premier mountain, we prioritize quality above all else rather than focusing solely on volume. We strive to maintain this as a stunning, relaxed skiing destination where you can enjoy ample space both on the slopes and at the bar. This commitment contributes to why we’re consideredLegendaryfor good cause,” stated Shayna Silverman, the Communication Manager at Arapahoe Basin, to Farovintin.

Located in the Rocky Mountains, Arapahoe Basin provides 1,400 acres of skiable terrain for guests.

The holiday season at these resorts frequently lasts through June and occasionally runs as late as early July. For this year, the anticipated closing date for the resort is set for June 8th.

Following a day of skiing in the sunshine, visitors can make their way to The Beach, a meeting place located at the foot of the mountain.

‘Whether you’re spending your days doing endless Pali laps or you simply enjoy hanging out where the action is without skiing at all, The Beach is the place to be,’
website
reads.

Alyeska Resort, Alaska

This renowned retreat stands as the sole destination on the entire continent where visitors can simultaneously view snowy mountain ranges, glaciers, and the ocean, says National Geographic.

Nestled in the Chugach Mountains of south-central Alaska, Alyeska frequently experiences new snowfalls in April, which helps prolong the season.

The region experiences approximately 669 inches of snow annually and boasts over 1,610 acres of skiable terrain.

Alaska gets 15 hours of daylight in the Spring, meaning skiers can stay out on the trails until roughly 8 pm in mid-March to early April.

This year, the expected closing date is April 27, as stated.
SnowPak
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As stated by the resort, ‘with its renowned “steep and deep” terrain catering to advanced skiers, along with an abundance of gentle slopes for newcomers and numerous intermediate routes connecting them all, Alyeska offers every type of skiing experience one could desire.’
website
.

Sugarloaf, Maine

Although spring skiing on the East Coast may involve some risk, this Maine resort has shown it can handle the pressure.

Sugarloaf maintains approximately 70 percent of its land as undeveloped until April or early May – largely preserved in its natural state.

It stands as the sole East Coast destination for above-tree line skiing, allowing visitors to enjoy slopes where trees do not grow due to the elevation.

The mountain boasts the tallest skiable summit in the state, standing at 4,237 feet, as stated by its official sources.
website
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No matter the state of the slopes, the lift operations continue running until early May each year at the resort.
Reggae Festival
that draws in thousands from across the globe.

The vibrant occasion encompasses four consecutive days of continuous celebrations at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Snowbird, Utah

Snowbird experiences an impressive 500 inches of yearly snowfall, offers 2,500 acres of skiable area, and remains accessible for skiing until as late as May each year.

The previous season saw the closure of the Utah retreat location on May 27, as reported.
SnowPac
.

Storms in May can sometimes deposit fresh snow on the mountains, enabling them to remain open for a longer period into the season.

Similarly, one advantage of going to Snowbird in April or May is that visitors can ski on the snowy slopes without facing intense snowfall as they might experience during mid-winter.

Snowbird’s
website
highlights outdoor activities appropriate for individuals of various age groups and experience levels, rendering it an ideal destination for family vacations.

Skiing late in the season has become increasingly uncommon.

Although late-season skiing offers clear advantages, with some resorts managing to maintain nearly continuous operations throughout the year, climate change poses a significant threat to the ski industry.

The warming trend in U.S. mountain areas has exceeded the global average, significantly impacting the snow sports tourism sector, as reported.
2024 study
.

It is expected that by the 2050s, the duration of snow seasons could decrease by between 14 to 62 days, varying according to different levels of carbon emissions.

Other studies indicate that climate change has affected various areas unevenly.

Winter is warming faster than other seasons across the U.S., leading to reduced snowfall in most areas, as reported.
Climate Central
data from 2023.

From the 2,041 sites examined, approximately two-thirds experienced a reduction in snow compared to the levels recorded during the 1970s. Conversely, the rest reported higher amounts of snowfall.

The research states: “Climate change influences the timing, location, and quantity of snowfall, along with spring snowmelt patterns, in intricate manners.”

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