Even though spring is zipping by and summer is nearly here, it’s not too late to hit the slopes. In fact, visiting ski resorts during the summer means fewer crowds and cheaper rates, making these typically snowy destinations a hit during the off-season.
These ski resorts rock – even in the warm weather.
Gore Creek, Vail (Image: Luis Toro Denver, CO)
While Vail may be a mecca for snow sports in the winter months, this mountain town becomes a warm weather playground come summer. Once the snow melts, you can enjoy bicycle riding, hiking, fly fishing, golf and horseback riding . The GoPro Mountain Games will also be held from June 6-9, 2013.
As the weather turns mild and sunny in Park City, the formerly snowy hills bloom bright with wildflowers and offer plenty of recreational activities. You can take a hot air balloon ride, take a hay ride through the city or race in a bobsled at Utah Olympic Park. At Canyons Resort, the family can zipline, play a round of mini-golf or go paddle boarding.
Twin Lakes, Mammoth Mountain (Image: dhReno used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
One of California’s most popular winter destinations for fresh powder, Mammoth Mountain transforms into an equally active town in the warmer months. You can ride through Mammoth Mountain Bike Park or head to the Adventure Center, where you can climb a scaling wall and zipline your way down.
More than 50 black bears call this area home, and once the temperatures warm up, you can catch a glimpse of them on a bear tour. You can still go skiing or riding in the summer months, or take a hike and enjoy the wildflowers.
Maroon Bells, 10 miles from Aspen (Image: Alaskan Dude)
Aspen is the perfect destination for the high-energy traveler, as you can go mountain boarding, paragliding and rock climbing in the summer. Nearby, the wildflowers and lake at Maroon Bells are worth a visit.
(Main image: Ken Lund used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
