Visits to ski resorts in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming shouldn't be confined to winter. Pamela Lenci, general manager of Caldera House, a new hotel in Jackson, Wyo., said that these areas offer plenty of diversions in the summer and fall, as well.
"You can have just as much fun without hitting the slopes," she said.
Hike the Slopes
Ski resorts are a hiker's haven, according to Lenci, with dozens of possible treks ranging from easy to strenuous.
The slopes that are so much fun when covered in snow are great to explore when the ground is bare, and many resorts even offer hiking tours offseason. Your hotel's concierge or the local tourist office will be able to give you a list, along with maps, of all of your options.
Take to the Water
The melted snow in ski areas fills streams and rivers with an abundance of water. For offseason visitors, this means that white water rafting, paddle boarding, swimming and float rides all become possible, and even enticing.
Check with your hotel, online at sites like TripAdvisor or a local tourism board's website for local operators that offer these activities. Don't forget to research the operator as well, just to make sure they have a good safety record.
Go Fishing
Lenci said that many ski resorts in the United States are in areas with amazing fly fishing in the offseason. The Snake River in Wyoming is one of the top fly fishing spots in North America.
Lenci said that it is a relaxing sport that anyone can try. Best of all, during the spring and summer, local outdoors shops and resorts offer everything you need to go fly fishing, available to buy or rent by the day.
See the Wildlife
Unlike in winter, ski destinations are replete with wildlife come summer and fall, with high chances of spotting herds of antelope, bison, moose, elk, deer and bighorn sheep. You might even see a bear.
You can do all this while out on walks, hikes and bike rides, but a wildlife viewing tour -- usually led by a park ranger or naturalist -- is another way to see and learn more about the local ecosystem.
Try New Outdoor Adventures
In addition to hiking, the mountains beckon when it's not time to ski, with activities such as horseback riding, climbing, biking and ATV rides up dirt roads. Many resorts and parks even offer these activities as destination events during the offseason. "There's actually more to do than during ski season," Lenci said.
Gaze at Stars
Isolated from city lights and light pollution, large, often-remote ski destinations are generally some of the best places in the United States to see the stars.
Many hotels are prepared to supply guests with telescopes, wine and blankets to keep warm from the cool mountain breezes.
Travel on 09/09/2018