I love a good ski trip, just minus the actual skiing.
For me, much of the appeal is the atmosphere: dramatic mountain views, cozy lodges, lively downtowns, and of course, Après-ski.
Fortunately, several of America’s best-known ski towns become even more appealing once the snow melts. Summer and early fall bring waterfall hikes, lake days, festivals, scenic gondola rides, and far fewer layers to pack.
From Vermont’s classic New England villages to New Mexico’s high-desert art scene, these six destinations prove you don’t need any interest in skis to enjoy a mountain escape.
In this article
Stowe, Vermont
Less than an hour east of Burlington, the “Aspen of the East” is brimming with classic New England character.
Spend time exploring historic Stowe Village, a compact but charming area with cute shops and solid restaurants. It’s also a great base for warm-weather recreation.
Swim, kayak, or paddleboard on one of the area’s lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, or explore by bike. Hiking is also big here: Experienced hikers can tackle Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, while Sunset Rock offers a much shorter (albeit initially steep) trek to an overlook above Main Street.
Some hotels also offer bike rentals, including the Trapp Family Lodge & Resort (yes, those von Trapps), which is a personal favorite with dedicated trails. The property also has a family-owned brewery and bierhall serving Austrian-inspired food and tasty lagers.
The Lodge at Spruce Peak is another slightly more upscale choice. I visited in December 2024 and am still thinking about it. Set at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort, which spans Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, it offers beautiful views, great restaurants, a stellar spa, and music and arts programming both on the central Village Green and at adjacent Spruce Peak Arts.
Lake Placid, New York
This upstate New York destination, roughly five hours by car from New York City, might be known for its Winter Olympic history, but it’s an excellent year-round destination.
Of course, there’s beautiful Mirror Lake, right in the heart of downtown and as fun for swimming and paddling in summer as it is for skating when frozen.
Nearby Whiteface Mountain is a major East Coast ski destination that also offers warm-weather gondola rides with panoramic Adirondack views.
For something really different, ride the Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg or check the calendar for seasonal Discover Luge experiences.
You can also visit the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, check the Olympic Center calendar for indoor public-skating sessions, or head to the extremely cool Olympic Jumping Complex, where you can ride a gondola and glass elevator to the top of the staggeringly high ski jumps or go ziplining back toward the base.
Pro tip: We stayed in nearby Saranac Lake, which was far more affordable and only about a 15-minute drive from downtown Lake Placid.
Telluride, Colorado
Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, this world-class ski resort and former mining town is an ideal off-season getaway for lovers of the arts.
Telluride is a hotbed of live music and theater in the summer, with the Sunset Concert Series in Mountain Village and Telluride Theatre’s annual Shakespeare in the Park.
There’s also the Telluride Film Festival, one of the most prominent stateside events for cinephiles, which includes a number of free-to-attend talks and screenings.
The box-canyon town is also just a gorgeous place to sightsee, whether you’re hiking Bridal Veil Falls, the state’s tallest free-falling waterfall, or perusing local art galleries.
Telluride’s unique free gondola is another quintessential warm-weather experience: a scenic, 12-minute ride linking Telluride and Mountain Village, with the option to stop at San Sophia for amazing views and hiking trails along the way.
The historic downtown is equally picturesque, filled with colorful Victorian architecture and small businesses.
Jackson, Wyoming
Surrounded by the Grand Tetons and steeped in wild west history, Jackson is an outdoor playground all year.
The town is a gateway to Grand Teton National Park, where visitors can hike, spot wildlife, cruise across Jenny Lake, or simply drive beneath some of the country’s most dramatic mountain scenery.
You can also float or raft the Snake River, go horseback riding, or explore downtown Jackson’s wooden boardwalks, independent shops, art galleries, and famous elk-antler arches.
There are also many ski resorts that operate in warmer weather. Snow King Mountain rises directly above downtown, while Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, which is about 12 miles away in Teton Village, offers activities such as a via ferrata, downhill mountain biking, and a family ropes course.
Still, the area’s lively Western character and spectacular national park access make it equally appealing to travelers who didn’t consider packing their hiking boots.
Taos, New Mexico
Set against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos brings high-altitude adventure, striking high-desert scenery, and one of the country’s most distinctive arts and cultural scenes.
Start in the historic Taos Plaza, where old mercantile buildings now house galleries, restaurants, farmer’s markets, and shops, before visiting the town’s many art museums.
Nearby Taos Pueblo is a living Indigenous community whose multistory adobe homes date back more than 1,000 years. It is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark, though visitors should always check its operating schedule and community guidelines before going.
Beyond town, visitors can raft the Rio Grande, hike through the surrounding mountains, soar over the gorge in a hot-air balloon, or stop at the dramatic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
Roughly 20 miles away, Taos Ski Valley swaps snowy runs for wildflower-lined trails in the off season, plus climbing, fishing, and guided via ferrata treks.
Mammoth Lakes, California
Mammoth Lakes, located in the Eastern Sierra and roughly five hours from Los Angeles, is known for its famously long ski seasons. But its alpine lakes and rugged volcanic scenery may be even easier to appreciate in summer.
Once the ski gear is packed away, Mammoth Mountain becomes a major warm-weather recreation hub. Ride the Panorama Gondola for sweeping Sierra views, take on the lift-served Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, hike the resort’s high-altitude trails, or spend an afternoon at the family-friendly Woolly’s Adventure Summit.
The town’s summer and fall calendar also includes live music, festivals, fishing events, and endurance races.
Down below, the Mammoth Lakes Basin is where you’ll find hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and swimming amid a string of clear mountain lakes.
Mammoth also makes a convenient base for exploring some of the Eastern Sierra’s biggest natural attractions, including Mono Lake, the June Lake Loop, Devils Postpile National Monument, and the 101-foot Rainbow Falls. (Access to Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow is seasonal and can be affected by road work, weather, and shuttle restrictions, so check current conditions before building a trip around them.)
The Shortcut
Telluride and Jackson pack the most into an off-season trip. Film festivals, whitewater rafting, and free gondola rides take over these towns.
Mirror Lake and the Mammoth Lakes Basin are both a short walk from downtown. You can swim, paddle, or kayak without needing a car.
Whiteface, Telluride, and Mammoth Mountain keep their gondolas running in summer for sightseers to take in the views.
