It’s about that time of year when weather forecasters around the TravelLatte base camp in North Texas begin tossing around their favorite summertime phrase: “the Century Mark.” When you start seeing afternoon highs approaching 100 on a regular basis, you know it’s time to plan your escape, and ski resorts are a perfect summer destination! Up in the mountains, it can be as much as 30-degrees cooler than the valley floor all summer long and, when the weather warms, ski resorts turn into family summer camps with activities for all ages. Here’s a sampling of some of the more adventurous and family oriented ski destinations for summer that you might enjoy.
Snowmass, Colorado
See the 2012 Snowmass Rodeo in pictures by Pavel T. Osiak
© Pavel.T.Osiak | PTOphotography.com
2013 is the 40th Anniversary of the Snowmass Rodeo featuring pro bull-riders and lots of family fun every Wednesday through the end of August. Enjoy some pre-rodeo Barbeque while the kids romp in the bounce house and ride the mechanical bull or, for tamer tastes, the ponies. Young‘uns can also learn how to rope and test their mettle in the ring in the Calf Scramble and Mutton Bustin’. Rodeo admission starts at $20 for adults and $15 for kids 11 to 15. 10 and under are free! Add $5 for VIP seating. BBQ tickets are $18 for the full meal (ribs, chicken and sides), $9 for an Express Package (two tacos plus a side) and $5 for kids’ meals – which feature hamburgers/hot dogs instead of BBQ. (Because kids don’t like BBQ?)
You can still enjoy the mountain, too. The Elk Camp gondola and chairlift now runs every day all summer long, delivering mountain bikers to more than 3000 vertical feet of mountain trails and more 50 miles of scenic single track and roads to explore, plus a five-acre terrain course filled with jumps and berms to test your skills. Bike Snowmass gondola/lift tickets start at $38 for adults, $21 for kids 4-12. Riding your bike is free, but there are bike and gear rentals, if needed (starting at $70/day), group clinics and private biking adventures. If you’re not taking your bike and just want to hike back down, lift tickets are a little less expensive.
Events sprinkled in and around Snowmass Village throughout summer and early fall include the Snowmass Automobili Exotica, Snowmass Culinary & Arts Festival, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Snowmass Balloon Festival, Snowmass Wine Festival, Jazz Aspen / Snowmass Labor Day Festival, and the inaugural Roof of the Rockies Jeep Jamboree, plus a variety of concerts from local and national artists.
Awesome idea. I haven’t ever thought about Ski resorts as a summer destination. The rodeo sounds fun too (especially for families with young children). Thanks for posting. #WeekendWanderlust
Hi Allison – thanks for stopping by the blog! I grew up in the southwest, where summers were really hot, so we used to go up into the mountains for summer vacation a lot. Turns out those ski slopes are great for hiking and biking, but the resorts have added so much more over the years! Now it really is like summer camp for the whole family! I’ll have to keep checking your blog to see where you guys go and all the fun you’ll have! 🙂