Industry News
The North American ski season is almost done. Only one outdoor ski area is available for lift-served turns, as well as the United States’ only indoor ski area. Here is where you can still ski if you need to scratch that itch one last time before summer.
Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Closing date: August 20
Open lifts: 2/7 (29%)
Open trails: 6/31 (19%)
Aspect: South
Summit elevation: 8,540 feet
Timberline Lodge is consistently the final outdoor ski area to close every year in the United States. The resort is located high on the Southern face of Mount Hood. Heavy snowfall and extensive snow farming allow them to stay open through August, with a focus on race camps late in the summer. The terrain consists mainly of groomers on the Palmer snowfield.
Copper Mountain, Colorado
Open lifts: 0
Open trails: hike park only
Copper Mountain provides the state’s only on-snow terrain park experience through the summer months. The park, located in Center Village, welcomes skiers and snowboarders every Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with operations scheduled through September 7, weather permitting.
Big SNOW American Dream, New Jersey
Open lifts: 2/2 (100%)
Open trails: 4/4 (100%)
To tackle the elephant in the room, Big SNOW operates year-round. It is “still open,” and some write it off due to its size. Despite this, if you are in or near the New York area, Big Snow is an option to get some turns in if you need to satisfy your craving, and don’t have the time and money to get on an airplane. The resort runs mogul weekends every month and has a permanent terrain park along one side. The hill is cooled to 28 degrees Fahrenheit and only utilizes natural snow, so leave the Hawaiian shirt and yellow wax at home.
