Italy's Summer Skiing Haven Prepares for Opening Day

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated May 21, 2025 11:13 AM ET

Most skiers have stowed their gear away and are now thinking about yard work, but one destination in the Alps, Italy’s Passo Stelvio, is preparing to open for the summer season.

Unlike some ski resorts that are open in the winter and summer—think Timberline Lodge or Mammoth Mountain—Passo Stelvio only spins its lifts during the warmer months.

This summer, the ski area’s season will run from May 31 to November 2, 2025.

Comparatively large for a place that only welcomes skiers and snowboarders in the summer, Passo Stelvio features over 20 kilometers of slopes with views of the surrounding Stelvio National Park—a sprawling nature reserve—and the Ortles-Cevedale range. Vertically, the ski area spans more than 2,000 feet, reaching up the flanks of Mount Cristallo.

Passo Stelvio’s unique operating schedule makes it a popular pitstop for elite snow sports athletes seeking year-round training opportunities. For instance, Italian alpine racer Sofia Goggia, who has claimed two Olympic medals in her career, visited the ski area last summer after recovering from a major knee injury.

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Passo Stelvio's slopes aren’t just for downhillers. The ski area also hosts a collection of cross-country circuits for those who prefer to work on their aerobic capacity.

A full-price season pass to Passo Stelvio clocks in at €845, which, in American dollars, is about $954.

If you’re living in North America and the idea of booking a plane ticket to session an Italian summer ski area is daunting (we can’t blame you), consider a road trip to Wyoming instead.

There, near the Montana border, stands Beartooth Basin, the continent’s lone ski area that only operates in the summer. Plus, aside from avoiding travel, Beartooth Basin’s day tickets and passes are a steal, costing $50 and $395, respectively. The mountain plans to fire up its lifts on May 28, 2025, conditions permitting.

You could also head to Timberline Lodge, Oregon, another famed North American summer skiing destination. Mammoth Mountain, California, recently announced that it would remain open into June, too.

In short, skiers who aren’t quite ready to give up on winter have options.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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