Why a Ski-Town Road Trip Belongs on Your Summer Bucket List

Summer in a ski town is a completely different animal. All of those hours us skiers typically spend schussing down the slopes we’re free to slice and dice in as many ways as we want during the summer. A few hours on the mountain bike in the morning, a midday hike, hit the base-area family activities for a spell (mountain coaster, anyone?), squeeze in a spa treatment, then soak in the hot tub or seek out the local hot springs. The town is your oyster.

Now imagine you string a few nearby-ish destination together into an epic summer ski-town road trip. Sound appealing? We pieced together a few ideas featuring some of North America’s most dynamic ski towns. What are you waiting for? There’s plenty of summer left.

5 Perfect Ski-Town Summer Road Trips

Southwestern Colorado

It’s a haul from the state’s more populated cities, but that’s exactly what makes southwestern Colorado such an amazing road trip destination. Fewer people, more dramatic peaks, authentic Western-tinged towns. Start off in Durango, where you can raft the Animas or hike the start of the Colorado trail. Hit Bread Durnago for cookies and danishes before you head out of town.

From there, can take the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango to Silverton, but you can also drive over scenic Molas Pass. In Silverton, pop into Pedal the Peaks to rent a mountain bike and get some trail recommendations, or hike in the San Juans. Lodging and dining options are slim but authentic, and you should probably drink beers at Miners Tavern after your adventure of choice.

The stretch of Highway 550 from Red Mountain Pass to Ouray is called the Million Dollar Highway because of the millions of dollars in gold and silver miners expected to find. They didn’t, but they did enjoy the million-dollar views. Ouray is known for ice climbing, but in summer there’s good local rock climbing, too.

Head out of Ouray towards Ridgway and descend out of the mountains for a while.  Stop for a soak at the Orvis Hot Springs. The thrift store on the corner where you turn towards Telluride can be a gold mine for vintage bikes and ski gear on the cheap.

From Ridgeway, head up the canyon to Telluride. On summer weekends, it’s not hard to time it right so you hit a festival, like late summer’s Blues and Brews or Telluride Film Festival. Start your mornings at Telluride Coffee Roaster, and don’t miss Siam for great local Thai cuisine.

New England

Summer in New England doesn’t get the media buzz that its fall colors generate, but pay that no mind. The lush green forests and clear streams provide the perfect backdrop for the best summer adventures. Start in Bethel, Maine, home to Sunday River. This quaint ski town is also ground zero for some of the best hiking and whitewater rafting in the Northeast. Hire an outfitter to get out on the Kennebec, or hike Grafton notch, then head west on Route 2.

North Conway is arguably the heart of New Hampshire skiing, but it has a lot going on in the summer, too. Go rock climbing at Cathedral Ledge, or hike to the Crawford Notch Hut on the Appalachian Trail. Have dinner at the Red Parka Pub, a longtime local hangout.

From there, head west to Lincoln detouring slightly to Franconia Notch State Park for a swim in the Basin, a series of natural pools and waterslides. Continue west into Vermont and through the small cities of Barre and Montpelier. Turn south on 100B, arguably one of the prettiest roads in the Northeast. Golf or mountain bike at Sugarbush, where they have downhill trails and a bike terrain park. After refueling at the classic Warren Store, an old school country story complete with a penny candy aisle, stick your feet in the stream out back and hang out for a while.

Northern Rockies

The vast, wide-open spaces of the wild west are on full display throughout Wyoming and Montana in the summer. Yes, the national parks will be crowded, but you can create an itinerary that dabbles in a little but of everything and get the best of both worlds.

Start in Jackson Hole, where your can raft or fish the Snake River, or take the tram at the ski resort and hike out from there. When you come back to town, get dinner and a cold beer at the Snake River Brewing, then make the quick drive to the Stagecoach Bar in Wilson for live music nightly.

In the morning, gear up in town for a couple of days of camping then head north past the ski resort to Grand Teton National Park. Jenny Lake is the prettiest and most popular campground. (You’ll need a reservation.) If you do get a spot, it’ll set you up perfectly for a bunch of good hikes and climbs. You can also go boating on the lake.

After you’ve exhausted Grand Teton (which, let’s be honest, might take years) head farther north up 287 to Yellowstone National Park. The main attractions at Yellowstone, like Old Faithful, are almost always crowded, but they live up to the hype. Deal with the crowds to get a look, then break away for a hike like the Doghead Loop near Lewis Lake or, head into the backcountry for a longer trip.

Lake Tahoe

The crown jewel of mountain lakes, Lake Tahoe is one of those places that’s even prettier in person than any photo could have prepared you for. Start in Reno, where you can stay at a casino hotel and maybe make a few bucks to fund your adventures. From there, head west on 80 to Truckee. Make sure you stop for breakfast at Wild Cherries, a European style bakery with excellent coffee and baked treats. With a full stomach, head south on 89 towards the lake.

Stop at Palisades Tahoe to mountain bike or play disc golf, then keep heading south. At Emerald Bay get out of the car to hike to Eagle Falls.

In South Lake, rent a boat so you can get out onto the water for a bit, then head to Heavenly for some gondola-assisted hiking—all the views with slightly less of the grind.

Head back to the lake and drive north.  When you hit Lake Tahoe State Park, detour to Sand Harbor for some beach time. When you get back to Tahoe City, raft the Truckee river, Lake Tahoe’s only outsource.

Western Canada

What happens to the Powder Highway in the summer? It becomes the mountain bike highway, full of incredible spots to put rubber to dirt and take in incredible views along the way. Start in Cranbrook, the town with the only legitimate local airport, then head north on 93.

Once you hit Golden, it’s time to start biking. Go downhilling at Kicking Horse, or ride some of the plethora of local trails. There’s even camping at the bike trailheads.

Back on the road again, head west to Revelstoke, where there’s even more good riding to be had. If you want some time off your bike, you could also go rafting, fly fishing, or climbing. Get good food and beers at the Village Idiot.

Continuing south, stop at Arrow Lake for some scenery, then head to Kamloops. This small but adventurous town calls itself the birthplace of freeriding. You can ride the Kamloops Bike Ranch, one of the coolest bike parks out there, or hit the downhill trails at Sun Peaks. After a few days in the saddle, treat yourself to a deep tissue or sports massage at Sun Peaks Spa and Massage, right in the village.