Top 10 Summer Skiing Destinations for Real Snow and Big Terrain

Most people think skiing only happens in winter when the mountains are cold and full of snow. But, perhaps to your surprise, skiing isn’t just for winter. In some places, you can ski in the middle of summer, too.

While it’s warm in the north, countries in the south, like Chile and Argentina, are in their winter, meaning they have snow and open ski resorts from June to September. Places in Europe, like Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, also have glaciers where you can ski during the summer.

This guide will show you the 10 best places in the world to ski in summer. You’ll find great snow, beautiful spots, and fun things to do at all of them.

1. Valle Nevado, Chile

Valle Nevado is the biggest ski resort in Chile and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s located about 46 kilometers east of Santiago, which means you can get there from the capital in about 90 minutes to two hours by car.

The base of the resort sits at an altitude of 2,860 meters (9,384 feet), and the top reaches 3,670 meters (12,038 feet), which gives it a vertical drop of 810 meters (2,657 feet). Covers over 900 hectares, or about 2,224 acres of skiable land, the resort has around 40 to 44 marked runs, depending on conditions, and 17 lifts in total. These include a gondola, a high-speed quad, five chairlifts, several surface lifts, and three magic carpets.

The terrain is divided as follows: 10% for beginners, 36% for intermediate skiers, 33% for advanced skiers, and 21% for experts. Even though Valle Nevado gets sunshine about 80% of the time, it still holds on to dry, deep powder snow because of its height and the way the slopes face. On average, the resort gets around 700 centimeters (276 inches) of snowfall each year.

The ski season usually starts in June, though it may begin as early as late May if the snow arrives early. The season often goes through September and sometimes into October, depending on the year.

Valle Nevado also features a terrain park with zones catering to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced. For those who want more adventure, the resort offers heli-skiing across 50,000 acres of nearby terrain. You can book up to six helicopter runs a day.

The resort is part of three popular ski pass programs: Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective, and Power Pass, all of which offer benefits like discounts on hotels and free skiing for kids.

Valle Nevado was built in 1988, and its design was inspired by French ski resorts like Les Arcs. Big changes came in 2001, when they added the Andes Express lift, and again in 2003 when it hosted a FIS Snowboard World Cup.

There are three hotels at the resort: Hotel Valle Nevado, Hotel Puerta del Sol, and Hotel Tres Puntas; its facilities include restaurants, a ski and snowboard school with over 150 bilingual instructors, rental shops, a small grocery store, a medical center, a gym, and even a hot tub.

2. La Parva, Chile

La Parva is another ski resort in the Tres Valles area, just like Valle Nevado. It’s only about 50 to 60 kilometers from Santiago, and it connects to both Valle Nevado and El Colorado. This makes it easy to explore different areas if you stay there for more than a day.

The base of the mountain starts at 2,653 meters (8,704 feet), and the top reaches 3,573 meters (11,722 feet). Some sources list the top a little higher at 3,630 meters (11,909 feet), which gives the mountain a vertical drop of between 921 and 960 meters.

The resort has about 400 hectares (988 acres) of skiable land and offers 40 marked trails. The breakdown is about 15% beginner, 45% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 10% expert terrain. If you like long runs, the longest single route is about 2.4 kilometers, and one full descent can stretch to about 6 kilometers.

La Parva has 15 lifts, including two quad chairs, a triple, a double, and ten surface lifts. Together, they can carry over 12,300 people per hour. The mountain gets an average of 7.62 meters (25 feet) of snow each season. By September, snow depth at the summit can reach up to 37 inches.

The ski season usually begins in June and runs through late September, though it can sometimes extend into October, depending on conditions.

La Parva is famous for its steep slopes and areas for freeriding, which are popular among advanced skiers. Two of the most talked-about runs are McConkey’s and La Chimenea, both offering steep and technical terrain. The resort has hosted several freeride competitions, and it also provides heli-skiing and backcountry guided tours for people looking to explore off-piste.

If you’re learning to ski or want to improve, La Parva has around 80 certified instructors, many of whom speak more than one language. There’s even a mini ski school for kids between the ages of 6 and 12.

Services at La Parva include rental shops, restaurants, a bar, a supermarket, a fitness center, an ATM, and a medical clinic. There is also snowmaking coverage over several kilometers of trails to help keep conditions good during dry periods.

3. El Colorado, Chile

El Colorado is the third ski resort in the Tres Valles area, along with Valle Nevado and La Parva. It’s one of the most popular places for skiing near Santiago, and that’s because it’s only about 36 kilometers from the city, which makes it easy for people to visit for the day or weekend.

The mountain itself is cone-shaped and reaches a peak of 3,333 meters (10,935 feet). The base sits at about 2,560 meters (8,400 feet), giving the resort a vertical drop of 1,090 meters. This shape helps give the resort a good variety of trails for all skill levels, from beginner to expert.

El Colorado has around 1,100 acres of skiable terrain and about 112 named trails. The mountain is served by either 14 or 18 ski lifts, depending on the source, and that includes chairlifts, drag lifts, and surface lifts. One of the longest runs is 4.3 kilometers long. About 64% of the terrain is for beginners, while the rest is split between intermediate and advanced riders.

One of the things that makes El Colorado stand out is its terrain park. Many people say it’s the best terrain park in South America. Every year, the park is redesigned by a professional builder, and it includes more than 40 different features, like jumps, rails, and boxes. It also has a 250-meter boardercross course, which makes it popular with freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Another special part of El Colorado is the Santa Teresita backcountry area. This zone is well known by experienced skiers and snowboarders who want steeper, more challenging lines. However, it’s not part of the marked resort trails. To ski here, you need a mountain guide and a vehicle to return to the resort base after your run.

El Colorado gets plenty of sunshine, with clear skies on about 80% of ski days. Snowmaking is available on parts of the mountain to help keep conditions good when snowfall is low.

For beginners and families, there are wide and gentle slopes at the base, along with ski-in/ski-out accommodations. And for those who like to relax after skiing, the nearby village of Farellones offers restaurants and a lively atmosphere, especially on weekends.

4. Portillo, Chile

Portillo is one of the oldest and most famous ski resorts in Chile. It’s located about 160 kilometers from Santiago, near the border with Argentina. The resort sits next to the beautiful Laguna del Inca, a high-altitude lake surrounded by mountains.

The main hotel and base of the resort is at an altitude of 2,880 meters (9,450 feet). The highest lift takes you up to 3,310 meters (10,860 feet), so the resort has a vertical drop of about 762 meters (2,500 feet).

Portillo offers 35 named runs across a skiable area of 1,235 acres. The terrain is divided into 11% beginner, 31% intermediate, 31% advanced, and 26% expert slopes. The longest trail in the resort is about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) long.

There are 14 lifts in total, which include 5 chairlifts and 9 surface lifts. The most famous runs in the resort include Roca Jack, Condor, and Garganta, which are steep and often used by expert skiers. Roca Jack, in particular, uses a special type of lift called a “va-et-vient”, which is designed to handle avalanche-prone terrain.

A well-known off-piste route is Super C, a steep couloir that requires a hike from the top of the lift area. This route is only for experts and is one of the most challenging descents in South America.

Another famous part of the resort is the Primavera run, where a skier once reached a speed of 200 km/h. While not everyone will go that fast, the trail is wide and perfect for fast, smooth skiing.

Portillo gets about 8.3 meters (27 feet) of snowfall each year and has sunny skies about 80% of the time. The ski season usually runs from mid-June to early October, depending on snow conditions.

One thing that makes Portillo different is that it doesn’t have a ski town—everything is rather centered around the Hotel Portillo, a bright yellow building that can house about 450 guests. The hotel provides an all-inclusive experience, so it includes meals, lodging, and lift access. Everything is in one place, so guests often stay for a full week.

Portillo also has one of the top ski schools in South America, which makes it a good choice for people learning to ski or improving their technique. It’s also used for national team training, including by teams from Austria, the United States, and other top countries.

The resort first opened in 1949, and in 1966, it hosted the Alpine Ski World Championships—the first and only time this event has taken place in the Southern Hemisphere.

5. Nevados de Chillán, Chile

Nevados de Chillán is a ski resort located on the slopes of Volcano Chillán, in southern Chile. It used to be called Termas de Chillán, but it now goes by its current name and is under new management. This change helped the resort reopen most of its ski area and improve services.

The resort starts at 1,540 meters (5,050 feet) above sea level and goes up to 2,700 meters (8,858 feet)—a vertical drop of around 960 to 1,200 meters, depending on how it’s measured. This range provides a lot of room for both groomed trails and freeride skiing.

There are about 35 kilometers of marked trails, which cover roughly 1,100 hectares, or about 2,720 acres of skiable terrain. Nevados de Chillán has 13 to 14 ski lifts, including chairlifts and surface lifts, and can move more than 12,000 skiers per hour.

The slopes are divided into different levels: about 29% are for beginners, around 37% to 39% for intermediate skiers, 22% to 28% for advanced, and 17% for experts. One of the most well-known runs is called Las Tres Marías, which is 13 kilometers long. There’s also another top-to-bottom route that covers over 21 kilometers, including connector trails.

One of the best parts about this resort is the snow. Nevados de Chillán gets about 10 meters (400 inches) of snowfall each year, which makes it one of the snowiest places in South America. The mountain also has a lot of volcanic features, like lava flows and tree zones, so you won’t find it hard to have a blast skiing here.

Besides the regular trails, the resort is also great for backcountry skiing. You can make long runs down the volcano itself or explore big terrain off the marked slopes—exactly why companies like Smith Optics and Dakine have chosen this area for photo and video shoots during the summer months.

After a day of skiing, people often relax in the natural hot springs that are found around the mountain. Some of these are even built into the hotels or located just a short walk from the slopes.

The resort offers ski-in, ski-out lodging, which means you can stay right on the mountain and start skiing from your door. For more options, you can stay in Las Trancas, a small nearby village that has restaurants, shops, and more hotels.

6. Cerro Catedral, Argentina

Cerro Catedral is one of the most popular ski resorts in Argentina. It’s located about 20 kilometers, or 12 miles, from the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, in the Patagonia region. So, conveniently, it’s easy to reach from the city, with a drive of just 25 to 30 minutes.

The base of the mountain starts at 1,030 meters (3,379 feet), and the top reaches about 2,100 meters (6,900 feet). That gives the resort a vertical drop of 1,070 meters, which allows for long runs and great views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Cerro Catedral offers around 600 hectares of skiable terrain, which is about 1,500 acres. It has 48 kilometers (30 miles) of marked ski runs. The longest run at the resort is 9 kilometers long, which gives skiers plenty of time on the snow.

The resort uses between 28 and 39 lifts, depending on the source. These include a gondola, high-speed chairlifts, and surface lifts. In total, the lift system can carry up to 35,000 people per hour, which helps manage the large number of visitors, especially during holidays and weekends.

When it comes to terrain, 15% is for beginners, 60% is for intermediate skiers, 20% for advanced, and 5% for expert skiers. The resort gets an average of about 6 meters (236 inches) of snow each year at the summit. To help keep snow on the mountain, especially at the base, they also use snowmaking machines on a small part of the trails.

The name Cerro Catedral comes from the tall granite spires near the top of the mountain. These rock formations look like the towers of a cathedral. They give the resort its unique look and are a landmark in Patagonia.

For people who like to explore off the beaten path, there’s Refugio Frey, a backcountry hut that’s reached by hiking or skinning. Once there, skiers can ride down many narrow couloirs, which are steep and surrounded by rock walls. These are best for skilled and experienced skiers.

Cerro Catedral is also known for its fun and social atmosphere. After skiing, many people head into downtown Bariloche, which is only a short drive away. There, the nightlife is very active, especially in August and September. Parties often go late into the night, sometimes even past 6 a.m. during the busiest weeks.

7. Las Leñas, Argentina

Las Leñas is one of the top ski resorts in Argentina, especially known for its steep and challenging terrain. It’s located in the Andes Mountains, in the Mendoza Province. The base of the resort sits at 2,240 meters (7,350 feet), and the highest lift reaches 3,430 meters (11,250 feet). This gives Las Leñas a total vertical drop of about 1,190 meters (3,900 feet).

One of the most famous parts of the resort is the Marte chairlift. This lift gives expert skiers access to some of the steepest terrain in South America, including slopes with angles up to 48 degrees. The terrain off Marte includes big open bowls, narrow chutes, and long, steep lines. Many professional skiers have said that one powder day on Marte is worth giving up every other lift in South America.

But Las Leñas isn’t only for expert skiers. On the front side of the mountain, there are intermediate and advanced groomed runs, so visitors who aren’t ready for extreme slopes can still enjoy long, fun descents. The resort has between 27 and 40 marked trails, depending on the source, and the longest run is about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles). In total, the resort has up to 52 kilometers of skiable trails.

Las Leñas has 14 lifts, including two quad chairs, double chairs, and surface lifts. The resort also offers 17,500 hectares (about 43,000 acres) of skiable backcountry terrain, making it one of the largest ski areas in South America.

The snow at Las Leñas is reliable during the peak season. On average, the mountain gets about 1 meter (3.3 feet) of snow at the summit and around 15 centimeters (6 inches) at the base. The ski season usually runs from mid-June to mid-October, but in recent years it has sometimes ended earlier, around mid-September, depending on snow conditions.

Besides the skiing, Las Leñas is also known for its nightlife. After the lifts close, people head into the village where locals and Brazilian tourists gather at bars and clubs. The parties often go late into the night, making this resort a favorite for skiers who enjoy both challenging terrain and a fun social scene.

8. Hintertux Glacier, Austria

Now let’s move over to Europe. The Hintertux Glacier is located in Austria, near the town of Mayrhofen, in the Zillertal Valley. It’s one of the few ski resorts in the world that’s open all year round, including every day in summer.

The glacier’s base sits around 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), and the top station goes up to 3,250 meters (10,663 feet). In the warmer months, around 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of slopes remain open for skiing, including beginner-friendly runs, intermediate slopes, and some steeper terrain, which is why many national ski teams train here during summer.

The total terrain is divided into 24% easy runs (about 11.5 km), 72% intermediate (35 km), and 5% advanced (2.3 km). There are also about 8 kilometers of marked ski routes, which are not groomed but are still managed and safe.

The lift system at Hintertux is modern and efficient. There are 23 lifts, including three large glacier gondolas, high-speed chairlifts with heated seats, T-bars, and conveyor belts for beginners. The entire system can carry up to 349,400 people per hour.

Hintertux is also home to Betterpark Hintertux, a snow park that stays open in spring and autumn. It features jumps, rails, and boxes for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. In summer, it’s one of the few snow parks still operating in Europe.

But, don’t think the only thing to do here is ski—one unique attraction is the Natural Ice Palace, a cave inside the glacier that visitors can explore by walking on ice pathways and crossing small ladders. There’s also a kids’ area called the Glacier Flea Park, which has tubing and snow play activities for young children.

9. Zermatt, Switzerland / Cervinia, Italy

Zermatt is one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland, and it’s also one of the very few places in the Alps where you can ski all year round, as long as the weather allows it. What makes Zermatt extra special is that it has the highest ski slopes in Europe, reaching up to 3,899 meters (12,792 feet) above sea level.

The summer skiing at Zermatt takes place on the Theodul Glacier, which sits high above the village. During the summer months, about 21 kilometers (13 miles) of groomed ski runs are open. Most of the runs are rated as easy or intermediate, so they are good for most skiers. Advanced skiers may find fewer challenges, but the views of the Matterhorn and the high-altitude snow make up for it.

To get up to the glacier, you take lifts from the base at Furi to Trockener Steg, and then to Klein Matterhorn, which is one of the highest cable car stations in the world. Up there, you’ll also find a snow park, an ice cave, and a panoramic viewing platform.

Just across the glacier, you can ski into Cervinia, which is on the Italian side of the mountain. Cervinia is connected to Zermatt, and in the summer of 2023, it was open from June 24 to September 10. The two resorts share the same glacier, so it’s possible to ski in both Switzerland and Italy on the same day.

10. Passo Stelvio, Italy

Passo Stelvio is a glacier ski resort in northern Italy. It’s not as well-known as Zermatt or Hintertux, but it has one of the longest summer ski seasons in Europe. The ski area usually opens around June 1 and stays open until November 1, depending on the snow and weather.

The base of the ski area starts at 2,758 meters (9,049 feet) and goes up to 3,450 meters (11,319 feet) at the top of Monte Cristallo. This gives the resort a vertical drop of about 700 meters, which is enough for a good variety of runs.

In total, Passo Stelvio has about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of ski slopes. Most of the trails are wide and gentle, which makes this a great place for beginners or skiers who want to practice technique. It’s also a favorite for ski teams and athletes who come here to train during the off-season.

The resort has six ski lifts, including T-bars and drag lifts. There are also two cross-country ski tracks available in the summer, which is rare for a glacier resort. The area is known for its good snow conditions. It often keeps snow longer than other summer ski resorts in Europe.

Another good thing about Passo Stelvio is the weather. It usually gets about 103 sunny days during its ski season, which is slightly more than many other places in the Alps. That means you’ll often have clear skies while skiing, which makes the experience even better.

Final Thoughts on Where You Can Ski in the Summer

You now know the 10 best places to ski in summer. It’s time to get ready and go. While most people wait for winter, you can ski now. In the Andes, it’s deep winter from June to September. In parts of Europe, high glaciers stay cold enough for skiing all summer.

Start by checking your gear. Make sure your boots fit, and your skis or board are ready. Bring warm clothes that you can layer. Mornings are cold, but it gets warmer later. Use sunscreen and wear sunglasses or goggles. The sun is strong in the mountains.

Pick a place that fits what you want. For steep and deep snow, try Las Leñas or La Parva. For wide, quiet runs, go to Passo Stelvio or Hintertux. If you want skiing and nightlife, Bariloche or Chillán could be right for you.

It doesn’t matter if you’re new or advanced. There’s a summer ski spot for you. These spots have real snow, great views, and smaller crowds.

So get your gear ready, pick a place, and go skiing.