5 Top Global Spots To Ski Or Snowboard All Summer Long

For some dedicated mountaineers, an endless winter does exist – being able to ski or snowboard during the winter months just isn’t enough. Drier climates and rising global temperatures have limited the amount of annual snowfall. For this reason, more and more resorts in the Northern Hemisphere are closing earlier and earlier each year. Luckily there are a few places where you can enjoy the snow year round. Here are five places worldwide where winter never ends.

View of the Matterhorn during the Summer in Zermatt

Zermatt | Switzerland

This July will mark the one hundred and fifty year anniversary of the first assent of the famed Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. If you want a great view of the Matterhorn while being able to ski or snowboard this summer you should visit Zermatt. Zermatt is also the highest and largest summer skiing area in all of Europe. With twenty-five runs, eight chair lifts, and a terrain park this summer setup is better than some mountains peak seasons.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Gassan | Japan

Resort

The archipelago chain of Japan plays host to some of the best snow in the world. This small island nation also boats over five hundred resorts that range from large upscale resorts to small mom and pop style setups with a few lifts. Of these five hundred resorts one in particular stood out as being a late season haven for skiers and snowboarders. Tucked away in the town of Nishikawa is a resort called Gassan. Gassan doesn’t actually open until the middle of April and usually closes around late July. Gassan isn’t a very big resort but what it lacks in lifts it more than makes up for with its amount of annual snowfall. Snowcat on Stubai during the summer | © Toodreem/Flickrcommons

Stubai Glacier | Austria

Like the Swiss Alps, the Austrian Alps are known for their massive mountain resorts. The Stubai Glacier also known as the ‘Kingdom of Snow‘ is Austria’s largest glacier. Stubai is not far from Innsbruck airport, which has allowed it to become a more popular destination in recent years. Stubai operates nearly year round and closes for only about two months of the year. Summer at the Camp of Champions | © Campofchampions/Flickrcommons

Whistler-Blackcomb | Canada

Resort

Whistleris just a stones throw from Vancouver, meaning it is a very accessible mountain. Skiers and Snowboarders come from all over the globe to grace Whistler’s prestigious peaks. This glacier also boasts the longest season in all of Canada and is open through July. This resort is also home to Camp of Champions, which is the leading summer ski and snowboard camp in Canada. The Camp of Champions has one of the largest summer terrain parks in the world and is where many winter athletes practice. Mt Hood Towers over the summer flowers | © Misserion/Flickrcommons

Timberline Lodge & Ski Area | Oregon

Resort, Lodge

Timberline Lodge & Ski Area is the only ski resort in the continental United States that stays open year round. Mt. Hood is a naturally occurring glacier that allows skiers and snowboarders to ride in near perfect conditions throughout the year. Mt Hood is also home to two of the most well-known ski and snowboard summer camps in the industry. High Cascade and Windells have operated for over two decades at Mt. Hood. These two camps have helped produce talents that have gone on to win medals in the Olympics, X-Games, U.S. Open, European Open and about every other contest in between. This mountain is a hotbed for professional athletes to train during the summer and learn new tricks they will display in the coming season.

By Jeff Askin

Jeff Askin is a recent graduate from the University of Colorado at Boulder where he graduated with a degree in Communications and a certificate in Business. He is from Southern California and his diverse passions include the ocean, arts and traveling. You are most likely to find him on the beach in a foreign country looking for the best waves or checking out a new installation at an art gallery. He also loves pulling pranks and is an amateur bullfighter. You can find him on facebook and instagram.