Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

9 Best Summer Skiing Destinations

If you’re lying there miserable in the heat, wishing for winter’s snow to come so that you can hit the slopes, you really don’t have to wait. There are a number of places throughout the world for summer skiing, including a few that may not be all that far from home. If you truly want to escape to a wintry wonderland, you could even head to the Southern Hemisphere, skiing snowy New Zealand pistes or the powder-topped mountains of Chile. Start packing now, and you can get out of the heat and onto the slopes this summer in these fantastic destinations.

Zermatt, Switzerland The Matterhorn over Zermatt, Switzerland
Credit: The Matterhorn over Zermatt, Switzerland by bigstock.com

Zermatt, Switzerland

The Alps most famous peak, The Matterhorn, is located near the gorgeous, car-free village of Zermatt, towering over the border between Switzerland and Italy at nearly 15,000 feet high. But its Zermatt’s Theodul Glacier that plays host to the highest altitude and largest summer ski area in all of Europe, offering pistes for skiers of all skill levels and 16 miles open for summer skiing. The peaks can be accessed by cable car or the lifts that remain open in the summer, with June and July offering the most ideal summertime conditions. From here, you can see the dramatic Matterhorn from nearly every vantage point. Taking a lift up to the summit of Klein Matterhorn provides the opportunity to gaze at as many as 40 peaks in the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. After a day of skiing, and soaking up that impressive scenery in one of Switzerland’s most beautiful destinations, you can take advantage of the warm weather to enjoy activities like golfing and paragliding, or relaxing with a pint in one of the many bars or pubs in town.

Ski Portillo, Chile Ski Portillo, Chile
Credit: Ski Portillo, Chile by Ski Portillo

Ski Portillo, Chile

Located in the Chilean Andes, Ski Portillo is the oldest ski area in South America and features over 1,200 acres with 35 trails for skiers of all skill levels. Fairly small and intimate, it’s popular for its exclusivity and social atmosphere as well as the lack of lift lines. There is no town, no shopping mall, and no Starbucks or McDonald’s. There’s just one large hotel that accommodates up to 400, preventing overcrowding on the slopes. The breathtaking scenery is another major draw, when during the winter months of June, July and August, the dramatic mountains look as if they’re rising out of the aquamarine-hued lake below. Advanced skiers appreciate the chance to enjoy free-riding, with the area’s abundance of steep off-piste faces, as well as the heli-operations that can get experts to even higher elevations and descents.

Timberline Lodge - Mount Hood, Oregon Timberline Lodge and Ski Area, Timberline Lodge
Credit: Timberline Lodge and Ski Area, Timberline Lodge by timberlinelodge.com

Timberline Lodge - Mount Hood, Oregon

A top-rated resort in Oregon, Timberline Lodge is the only true year-round ski area in the U.S., with prime summer skiing available in June and July. And, if you’ve ever wanted to ski on a volcano, this is the place. Timberline sits on the south side of Mount Hood, located about 60 miles east of Portland, and is the state’s highest mountain, rising abruptly to a lofty elevation of 11,239 feet above the coastal lowlands of western Oregon. It’s home to a number of glaciers, with summer skiing on Palmer Glacier popular with intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders due to its challenging runs and terrain parks. Many feel it has the very best summer snow scene on the plant, with everyone from Olympic athletes to freestyle enthusiasts heading here between the months of June and September.

Blackcomb Mountain - British Columbia, Canada Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Credit: Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia by Pierre Leclerc | Shutterstock

Blackcomb Mountain - British Columbia, Canada

A popular ski resort in Canada, Blackcomb Mountain offers another fantastic option in North America. Part of the Whistler Blackcomb resort, over a million skiers flock to this resort in June and July, attracted by the combination of outstanding snow-covered runs and idyllic temperatures. Horstmann Glacier is open from mid-June through late July every year when skiers take the scenic 45-minute trip up to the glacier via three chairlifts. At the top, there are versatile terrain features, including jumps and rails, along with spectacular views of the entire Whistler Valley. By taking the 7th Heaven Chairlift to the Horstman Hut eatery, perched at the summit of Blackcomb Mountain, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Whistler Mountain and the valley below.

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge - Judd Lake, Alaska Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Credit: Tordrillo Mountain Lodge by Tordrillo Mountain Lodge

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge - Judd Lake, Alaska

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge in Judd Lake, a remote area just a 40-minute flight from Anchorage, is known for its big adventures, including heli-skiing which can be done through early July. It’s perfect if you want to combine skiing with other activities like whitewater rafting, standup paddle-boarding, hiking and fishing for king salmon. You don’t have to be a seasoned skier to enjoy the thrills of heli-skiing in Alaska. It’s no secret that heli-skiing is quickly becoming popular and Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers some of the industry’s best guides to lead you on this once-in-a-lifetime mountainside adventure. Guests not only get to experience some of the most thrilling adventures in a place with magnificent scenery, but the lodge itself overlooks Judd Lake and the Alaska Range and also hosts a lakeside wood-fired hot tub and sauna, massage services, a 500-bottle wine cellar, and much more.

Treble Cone Ski Area - Wanaka, New Zealand Treble Cone Ski Area, Wanaka, New Zealand
Credit: Treble Cone Ski Area, Wanaka, New Zealand by Treble Cone Ski Area

Treble Cone Ski Area - Wanaka, New Zealand

Another fabulous Southern Hemisphere destination, beautiful New Zealand is home to the Treble Cone Ski Area, located on the South Island near Wanaka. Open from late June through September, it spans over 1,300 acres and boasts some of the best powder on the planet as well as some of the most spectacular alpine scenery. Ideal for intermediate and expert skiers and boarders with about 90 percent of terrain catering to the more advanced, it does offer a free lift for beginners who can practice on the bunny slopes. Although there are no accommodation options here, you’ll find lots nearby in both Queenstown and Wanaka.

Kaprun, Austria Kaprun, Austria skiing
Credit: Kaprun, Austria skiing by bigstock.com

Kaprun, Austria

Kitzsteinhorn Glacier above Kaprun has a huge year-round ski area that boasts a variety of runs and a terrain park with eight jumps and 12 jibs that are especially popular with intermediate skiers and riders. The slopes glisten with sparkling white snow through early summer, while the valley below is lush and green. Then when summer hits, Kitzsteinhorn invites skiers and boarders with its bright and sunny glacier runs, with the cable cars and lifts open through mid to late July, opening up again in September. Afterward a few runs, visitors can head to the Ice Arena to enjoy its snow slides, igloos, snow beach and ice bar.

Les Deux Alpes, France Les 2 Alpes, France
Credit: Les 2 Alpes, France by bigstock.com

Les Deux Alpes, France

Les Deux Alpes, another one of the largest summer ski areas in Europe, offers guaranteed natural snow on a glacier culminating at an altitude of nearly 12,000 feet. The Mont-de-Lans Glacier is open from mid-June to late August, with a funicular railway transporting skiers up to the glacier’s eight runs, which are served by chairlifts and drags. The snowpark even rivals that of Saas-Fee’s glacier, with its snowskate zone, slopestyle that includes big air, tables, kickers and rails, cool zone, half-pipe, and a smaller pipe suitable for beginners. For freestylers, this vast terrain park makes it an essential stop on the summer skiing circuit. There are other benefits of Les Deux Alpes too, with the vibrant mountain biking scene lower down the mountain, along with the opportunity for swimming, trampolining, and tennis.

Perisher - New South Wales, Australia Australia skiing
Credit: Australia skiing by bigstock.com

Perisher - New South Wales, Australia

Australia isn’t exactly known for its skiing, but it offers a lot more than kangaroos and koalas. In fact, Perisher Ski Resort, nestled in the Snowy Mountains region of Kosciuszko National Park about 300 miles southwest of Sydney, claims to be the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. It features four distinct areas, Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega, with 47 lifts serving seven peaks and dozens of trails between June and October. This is an ideal spot for powder hound families, with its wide variety of terrain catering to all levels of snowboarders and skiers. There are lots of other activities available too, like snow tubing and tobogganing, and after a day playing in the snow, you’ll find a wealth of bars and restaurants onsite, as well as clubs and pubs that host live music

Travel Deals

Save 30-77% | Business Class Deals on Top Airlines

$1995+

Non-Stop Business Class Fare Sale | Up To 70% Off

$2125+

10-Day Danube Explorer Cruise | 2 For 1 Fares

$3835+

6-Nt Halloween Spectacular Escorted Tour of Ireland

$1959+

Air & 14-Day Grand Wild Atlantic Way Ireland Tour

$2239+

7-Day Irish Pub Tour in Luxe Vehicle w/ Private Driver

$1829+

Up to $400 Off | Air & 15-Day Peru, Argentina & Brazil Tour

$3199+

Guinness Storehouse Academy Experience Ireland

$35+

14-Day Ireland Castles & Coastlines Tour

$5486+

Air & 14-Day Small Group Tour of Rajasthan, India

$1699+

Up to 20% Off | Air & 14-Day Ireland Wild Atlantic Way Tour

$2239+

8-Day Rocky Mountains National Parks Adventure

$3299+

$1500 Air Credit at BRAND NEW Sandals Saint Vincent

$489+ pp/pn

Jewel Paradise Cove All-Inclusive Resort | Jamaica

$124+ pp/pn

9-Day Guided Tour Through 4 European Countries

$3199+