The Only Summer Ski Area in North America is Near Yellowstone on a Scenic Byway

There is some incredible skiing across North America. It’s pretty well-known that the North American mountain resorts with the deepest, freshest snow are all out in the American West. However, it’s also accepted that skiing generally only happens in winter, at least north of the equator. But there is one resort in the northwestern U.S. that happens to be the exception to this rule. In fact, it is a summer-only ski resort.

Located near Yellowstone National Park on the border of Wyoming and Montana, the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area has reliable snow cover nearly year-round. However, its remote location on the dramatic Beartooth Highway, at over 10,000 feet above sea level, means that the excess of snow and unpredictable weather make winter skiing at Beartooth Basin impossible. The Beartooth Highway itself is only open during the summer, making it too costly to run and maintain the ski area until opening at the end of May.

Due to poor snow conditions and issues with ownership, the Beartooth Basin Ski Area has been closed since 2023. However, those anxious for some summer skiing will be happy to hear that the opening date for 2025 has been officially announced. The 2025 season is tentatively planned from May 26 to July 6, with openings from 9 am to 3 pm every day. The only catch, of course, is that this is all dependent on snow and weather.

Beartooth Basin is located on the iconic Beartooth Highway, a 68-mile scenic byway that traverses between Red Lodge, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The Beartooth Highway is considered the “Most Beautiful Roadway in America” and is open annually from Memorial Day through mid-October, depending on weather and road conditions (and sadly, budget). As such, the highway may be closed for brief periods even in summer. So, before you hit the road, visit the Montana Department of Transportation’s website to check for closures.

The Beartooth Highway climbs to an impressive elevation of 10,947 feet (3,337 m) throughout a series of sharp switchbacks, bumpy roads, and incredible vistas. Snaking across the Montana and Wyoming border, the highway passes through some of the West’s most iconic scenery, from the high peaks of the Beartooth Range to alpine lakes to pine forests. While there is snow here year-round, the late summer months also feature a huge variety of hardy wildflowers, like purple columbine and red Indian paintbrush.

As one skier notes, the Beartooth Highway is so beautiful that, “Honestly, the drive alone is worth it. Making turns is just the cherry on top” (via Freeskier). Still, you don’t want to miss those turns if you have the chance. The Beartooth Basin Ski Area is located on the Wyoming side of the Beartooth Highway and lies at 10,737 feet (3273 m) above sea level. Although it’s not far in miles, the steep roads require careful driving, so plan at least 45 minutes if you’re traveling from Red Lodge, nearly two hours from Cody, Wyoming, and a good hour from Cooke City, Montana.