This ski season was a slog, or maybe it wasn’t. The East Coasters among us lucked out, as did those in Banff, Alberta, where, thanks to record snowfall, June and July skiing is on the calendar.
Regardless, most skiers across North America will have hung up their gear by the end of May. By the time summer arrives, skiing will be an increasingly distant memory, pined after in daydreams and hopeful conversations.
Unless, that is, you’re within driving distance of a snow-storage-obsessed mountain. While Europe’s known for large-scale snow storage efforts that involve huge tarps and heaps of flakes, you don’t need to book an international flight to see what all the hype is about. From Vermont to Wisconsin, several North American ski areas also rely on snow farming to deliver winter fun during unexpected times of the year.
For the most part, these are small-scale efforts that hoard just enough snow to build a short run and pepper it with some rails, but if you were to ask any of the skiers who showed up for a one-off summer or fall rail jam, we doubt they’d have any complaints. There’s something special about skiing in June and beyond.
At these mountains, you can get a sunburn, wear shorts, and go skiing, all in the same day.
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Jay Peak, Vermont
Date: June 20, 2026
For a few years running, Jay Peak has offered skiers a unique opportunity to experience winter in the summer. Dubbed the Solstice Sessions, the event blends genres, with skiing, snowboarding, and live music. The rail jam element includes a small park with freestyle features, made possible by snow storage. Plus, there’s a skatepark. This season’s Solstice Sessions is already on the calendar for June 20, so if you want to grab a ticket, you may need to act fast.
Photo: Stephan Jende/Trollhaugen
Trollhaugen, Wisconsin
Date: This fall
Small but mighty because of its thriving terrain park scene, Trollhaugen hosts Open Haugen, a fall festival with a real snow rail jam to match. Years ago, that involved sourcing ice from skating rinks. But as the seasons passed, Trollhaugen got with the times, borrowing some inspiration from European snow storage techniques. Now, to get ready, the ski area pushes together big piles of snow after the winter ends. Then, those piles live under the tarps for the duration of the long, hot summer. When Open Haugen and fall arrive, it’s time for the grand reveal.
Hyland Hills, Minnesota
Date: TBA
Hyland Hills is already squirreling snow away for its contribution to the summer shenanigans. A rail jam date is forthcoming, but the ski area held the event last season on June 11. By the time the big day arrived, the 100 slots for the jam had sold out. But as with every other rail jam, spectating, which is free, was encouraged. Hyland Hills also had a DJ on hand to keep the crowd stoked, alongside food and drinks.
Tyrol Basin, Wisconsin
Date: June 6, 2026
Back in the 1990s, if you were a snowboarder (or, maybe, a forward-thinking skier), Tyrol Basin was the place to be. Photos from that era show a curious sight: rather than a humble strip of snow, there was a full-blown halfpipe surrounded by Wisconsin’s summer greenery. One article, published by SNOWBOARDER in 2001, detailed the past glory, recounting tricks and what sounded like one heck of an afterparty. Today, that tradition lives on. The latest June Jam, in 2025, saw plenty of jibs with a rope tow for fast laps. We’re hoping the halfpipe makes a comeback one of these years.
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