Hyland Hills ski area in Minnesota is reviving the ski season for a special one-day event this June, defying the usual norm of summer skiing being limited to high-altitude Western resorts.
On June 11, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Hyland Hills will hold a backyard-style rail jam, continuing its spring skiing tradition thanks to a preserved pile of snow. The event is capped at 100 participants and has already sold out. However, spectators are welcome to attend. The venue will feature a happy hour on its patio with food, drinks, and a live DJ to create a festive atmosphere.
For those nearby, watching the late-season skiing action promises a fun way to enjoy the day.
Hyland Hills is not alone in offering summer skiing events. Jay Peak in Vermont will host its Summer Solstice Sessions on June 21, which includes a rail jam, live music, and skateboarding features. Wisconsin’s Trollhaugen also plans an October event called Open Haugen to showcase snow collected during winter. Meanwhile, Copper Mountain in Colorado opened its summer hike park on June 6.
While these snow piles are not enough to open full lift-serviced runs, they enable unique experiences such as skiing rails in mid-June, which is rare outside high-altitude resorts.
Internationally, ski areas have advanced snow preservation efforts. Since 2016, Levi in Finland has stored millions of cubic feet of snow to ensure early season coverage. In 2024, Levi preserved over 9 million cubic feet of snow to prepare for fall skiing.
Looking ahead, traditional lift-served skiing in North America will continue briefly. Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Mammoth Mountain in California plan to close by June 15, with Arapahoe Basin open only from June 13 to 15. Timberline Lodge in Oregon will remain open much longer, maintaining its reputation as a summer skiing hotspot.
Meanwhile, Beartooth Basin in Wyoming, the only summer-only ski area in the U.S., is back in operation after closing last summer, with a tentative closing date of June 15.
This mix of events highlights the growing trend of creative summer skiing options across the country.