Fellow skiers and snowboarders: If you have any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from Gnar Withdrawal (aka Winter Dependency). From June through September, if you experience:
- Irrational, unshakable anxiety of melting snow and ice
- Trouble concentrating on summer activities
- Restlessness from the heat
- Chronic ski/board dreams that cause you to wake in the night wishing you were on a mountain
- Consequent lack of sleep
- Or painful aching to carve fresh turns...
This is a common affliction suffered by many winter sport enthusiasts. But do not be alarmed -- we're here to help. It is always winter somewhere, and shred junkies, this list is for you. Places to get your fix during the sweltering summer months.
Las Lenas, Argentina
In Patagonia, there are no boundaries for skiing on any of the mountains. Much of the terrain beyond the resort slopes is unexplored and unknown…. but Las Lenas also offers lines for all levels. The resort stays open from June through mid-October, and is only a 90-minute flight from Buenos Aires.
Experts looking to carve a few exploratory runs will find their happy place somewhere in the backcountry, while those looking to ride the lift and rack up the runs couldn’t find a better place to do it in the summertime. From steep rocky chutes to big open bowls, gentle hills and exceptionally dry powder, Las Lenas offers everything winter-freaks need to escape from in the heat of summer.
Mt. Hood, Oregon
If you want somewhere right in North America where you can ski or board all year-round then you need to check out Mt. Hood. It's the only resort that operates year-long this side of the Central American border (although Whistler Blackcomb comes close). The Timberline Lodge offers deals on lift tickets, has almost 4,000-feet of vertical, and boasts four awesome terrain parks.
This mountain is a legend amongst skiers in the States. The heat-defying Palmer Snowfield keeps its blanket of snow from one winter straight through to the next. Because of its year-round operations, it has become a mecca for professional athletes who don’t want to wait four months to train. Bring your A-game when you plan a summer trip to Mt. Hood because you very well may be shredding with the pros.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Want to ski a glacier in the summertime? Want to enjoy warm temps down low and great snow up high? Whistler Blackcomb has got you covered. The legendary ski area boasts the longest ski season in Canada, thanks to the Horstman Glacier, which stays open and snowy through late July.
Most of the terrain offered in the later months of the season is between advanced and expert level with extreme terrain parks, rocky chutes and T-bar lifts… But if you can handle all that, Whistler Blackcomb is an unmatched destination for summer skiing.
Ski Portillo, Chile
The experience at Ski Portillo is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else - no lines, dry powder, off-piste alpine terrain, and incredible views of Aconcagua and Laguna del Inca in the distance. It is sure to become a new favorite summer ski haunt.
There is only one hotel, and not a town or city for miles in any direction. The location is remote and isolated, which means visitors have the resort almost exclusively to themselves. Only 450 people can be accommodated at the lodge so lines are satisfyingly thin. And with all the steep terrain and thick snow, Ski Portillo resembles something of paradise.
Tres Valles, Chile
Tres Valles is an exceptional choice to get your summer ski fix because it actually has three different resorts strewn across its alpine territory. Visitors have plenty of choices to keep them busy the entire summer (or as long as the mountain stays open).
With 7,000 skiable acres, Valle Nevado is the largest of the three resorts, and is only a two-hour drive from Santiago. Lifts typically run from June through October and the weather remains bright and warm throughout the season. Not far from Valle Nevado is Las Parvas, for the more experienced, thrill seeking athletes. It boasts rocky vertical chutes only accessible via hiking and steep groomers perfect for speed demons. El Colorado is the favorite of Tres Valles locals and the place to go for technical backcountry, complex terrain parks, and tons of fresh snow.
Treble Cone, New Zealand
If you're looking for a challenge, take a trip down to New Zealand and check out Treble Cone. This is a renowned destination for skiers and snowboarders from June through late September. On top of excellent backcountry terrain to feed your technical thirst, they also have a terrain park for those looking to practice their rails, boxes and aerials.
Les 2 Alpes, France
Looking for a gentle spot in the French Alps to stay cool, drink good wine, and enjoy a few lift-operated cruisers? Les 2 Alpes is one of the biggest summer ski spots in Europe. Mont-de-Lans Glacier keeps the slopes open from mid-June to early September with just one lift bringing skiers and boarders up to access the eight runs. Les 2 Alpes also has one of the best summer terrain parks in the region, featuring a slope style zone, cool zone, half-pipe, and a “snowskate zone.”