Over the last few years, some of our favorite vacations have centered around ski resorts - in the summer. We’ve had some amazing long loop runs in the mountains, but there’s something equally satisfying about burning our quads and lungs for a shorter but steeper push up a route designed for maximal downhill pleasure.
We do take the term “running” loosely here, as most of our favorite ski hills require more hands-on-knees hiking, or poles if you prefer. As aging adventurers and athletes, we increasingly look for strength-based projects like a tough ski hill climb, often with the relief of a gondola ride down. Steep running or hiking builds muscular endurance with ample stimulus for our aerobic system and minimal skeletal impact. While it’s almost all about the gritty journey to the top, many of these mountains offer not only the reward of a spectacular view, but cold pints and unique treats, which admittedly feed our motivation.
Be sure to check schedules for gondola and lift operations if you don’t want to get stuck pounding your legs back down. Many operations stop running by 4:00 or so!
Rendezvous Mountain / Jackson Hole, WY
Summit this 10,450’ peak via the Wildflower and Cirque trails, with plenty of options to continue your run up top. Our route to the peak was about 6 miles and 4200 ft of climbing, but there are a couple of route options. Please pause before the gondola ride down for our undeniably favorite hill climb reward: "Top of the World" waffles at Corbett’s Cabin, with a can of local Snake River Brewing’s Pako’s IPA.
Bald Mountain / Sun Valley, ID
Okay, this was my backyard, and I have to say I have not gotten sick of the 3200’+ climb to the top of our historic ski hill. From River Run base area, follow the Bald Mountain Trail for 5.3 miles of singletrack, switchbacking across ski runs and access roads, or simply follow those runs up for a less techy ascent. There are a myriad of steeper, less-traveled paths to explore as well. Once at the top, take the chairlift halfway down to the Roundhouse, where you can pause for afternoon snacks and sips before catching the gondola the rest of the way down.
Grand Targhee / Alta, WY
This intimate mountain escape in “Wydaho.” is a spot we keep coming back to. From the base area, hop on the Bannock trail, about a 3-mile and 1700’ climb, up to the top of Fred’s Mountain. Call it good there and ride the lift down, or continue along the Summit trail, dropping down just a bit before another short ascent to Mary’s Nipple, elevation 9900 feet. The views of the Teton’s western slopes are ridiculously amazing. We’ve usually taken access roads back down to base, pummeling our quads a bit on the 3-mile descent, for refreshments at Targhee’s Trap Bar patio.
Aspen Mountain / Aspen, CO
While the town itself feels a bit fancy-schmancy, the steep ascent to the 11,212-foot Sundeck atop the famed ski mountain is just our style. The most direct route up, the Ute trail, is 3.1 miles with 3200’ gain. We managed to miss a turn out of the parking area and, after traversing across the bottom of the mountain, made our way via what seemed to be a ski run/access road, steeper and less traveled - again just our style. The giant Sundeck at the top has plenty of seating and people-watching, along with views of the seemingly endless Rockies. We advise choosing a local Aspen Brewing pint if they’ve got one on tap!
Snowmass Mountain / Aspen-Snowmass, CO
Just down the road from Aspen proper, Snowmass is quieter, less fussy, and well worth a stop. Our favorite route up totals just over 3,000’ gain and starts with 2 miles on Vista Trail, ending at the top of Elk Camp Gondola. Continue onto Sierra Club Loop to Summit Trail, for another couple thousand feet and 3 miles to Elk Camp summit at 11,325 feet. No gondola up here, but scramble back down to the for a sunny pint at the gondola and Elk Camp restaurant you passed earlier, before hitching that ride down. Alternatively, back near the base, we also like an old-school sip of Ranger IPA on New Belgium Ranger Station’s patio.
Telluride-San Sophia Station / Telluride, CO
Starting from town, the 2.5-mile Telluride Trail takes you straight up a non-technical but intensely steep ski run to San Sophia Station at 10,540 ft. From there, you can either jump right on the gondola back down, continue up the mountain via See Forever trail, or traverse along various shared mountain bike singletrack to Mountain Village for refreshment before an alternate lift down. It’s a fun area to explore, once you get up there, with swoopy singletrack mixed with dirt roads and more ski runs. Telluride Brewery has lovely plates of waffle fries and rotating taps waiting for you at the Mountain Village gondola.
Cheers!
