Planning a Summer Mountain-Resort Trip

A summer trip to a ski resort feels different from a winter one. The lifts carry hikers and bikers instead of skiers, the base village fills with families, and attractions like the alpine slide take center stage. A little planning around seasons, weather, altitude, and tickets makes the difference between a great mountain day and a frustrating one.

Know the summer calendar

Ski resorts treat summer as its own season, with opening and closing days that vary from mountain to mountain. A common pattern is limited weekend operation in late spring, daily operation through the heart of summer, and a return to weekends in early fall. Bromley in Vermont, Winter Park and Purgatory in Colorado, Park City Mountain in Utah, and Mt. Hood Skibowl in Oregon have all published schedules along those lines. Some resorts close summer operations briefly between seasons for maintenance. Always look at the current hours page before you book lodging around a specific activity.

Plan around the weather

Mountain weather is the single biggest variable on a summer resort trip. GoBreck, the Breckenridge tourism office, warns that afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains and can interrupt lift operations and activities. Lightning closes chairlifts, and moisture closes alpine slides. Bromley, Jiminy Peak, and Rushmore Tramway Adventures all close their slides for wet tracks; Bromley and Jiminy Peak specifically mention morning dew.

That suggests a simple rhythm for a slide day:

• Late morning: once the dew has burned off, ride the slide while the track is dry and lines are building.
• Early afternoon: watch the sky. If clouds stack up, head for lunch, an indoor attraction, or a scenic drive.
• Late afternoon: storms often pass. Many slides reopen once the track is dry and inspected.

Respect the altitude

High-country resorts sit far above sea level. GoBreck notes that at 9,000 feet, sun exposure is about 40 percent greater than at sea level and strongly recommends sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle. Visitors arriving from low elevations should take the first day easy, drink plenty of water, and watch for signs of altitude sickness. Temperatures also fall as you climb, so a warm layer for the chairlift is smart even on a hot day in the valley.

Choose the right ticket

Resorts package summer activities in different ways, and it pays to compare before you go:

• Single rides or ride packs: good if you only want the slide.
• All-day activity passes: many resorts bundle the slide with a mountain coaster, ropes course, mini golf, and more. Utah Olympic Park's Summer Gold Pass, for example, includes unlimited Alpine Slide use along with zip lines, tubing, and a scenic chairlift.
• Lift tickets: some slides, such as Snow King's, require a lift ticket because the chairlift is part of the ride.
• Season or regional passes: certain multi-resort passes include summer perks such as scenic lift rides. Read the pass details rather than assuming the slide is included.

Prices change often and vary by date, so check the operator's ticket page. Several resorts, including Mt. Hood Skibowl and Crystal Mountain, recommend buying in advance.

Handle the paperwork

Many operators require a liability waiver for each rider. Purgatory says every alpine slide rider must complete a release, Snow King asks riders to sign an all-activity waiver, and Crystal Mountain requires a waiver for all participants, with a parent or guardian signing for anyone under 18. Filling waivers out online before you arrive can save time at the ticket window.

Getting there and parking

Do not assume you can park at the slide. At Breckenridge, there is no parking at the Peak 8 base area; you park in town and take the free BreckConnect Gondola or a bus. Park City Mountain's Mountain Village sits a short walk from historic Main Street, and the Town Lift connects directly to Main Street. Look up the resort's parking and shuttle pages before you go.

Where to stay

Staying at or near the resort makes it easy to ride early, retreat during storms, and come back for evening laps where they are offered. Many ski towns have plenty of summer lodging, from condos and lodges to campgrounds in nearby national forests. Gateway towns near national parks, such as Jackson, Whitefish, Gatlinburg, and Keystone, fill quickly in summer, so book early.

What to pack

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
• A rain shell and a warm layer for the chairlift.
• Closed-toe shoes, which Purgatory and Chestnut Mountain recommend for their slides.
• Long, sturdy clothing if you plan to ride fast; it protects against scrapes.
• A reusable water bottle and snacks for hikes.
• A small bag that zips closed, since loose items should be secured before riding.

Build a balanced day

An alpine slide lap takes only a few minutes, and the Howler Alpine Slide in Steamboat Springs suggests allowing about an hour for the full loop when it is busy. That leaves plenty of time for other things. Pair the slide with a scenic lift ride and a summit hike, a nearby national park, a lake, or a historic town. Families with young children often do best with a few laps, a long lunch, and a few more laps later in the day.

Traveling with a group

Check rules for every member of your party. Height, age, and weight limits decide who can drive a sled, who must ride with an adult, and whether two people can share a sled. If someone cannot ride, a scenic chairlift ticket lets them share the view. See riding with kids for examples.

For destination ideas, browse the alpine slide directory, national parks near alpine slides, and family summer attractions.

Sources

• GoBreck, Epic Discovery
• Bromley Mountain, Hours of Operation
• Jiminy Peak, Alpine Slide
• Rushmore Tramway Adventures, Alpine Slide
• Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, Summer Gold Pass
• Snow King Mountain, Alpine Slide
• Purgatory Resort, Alpine Slide
• Crystal Mountain, Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide
• Vail Resorts Newsroom, Park City Mountain summer
• Howler Alpine Slide, FAQs