For passionate skiers in Colorado, the end of ski season doesn’t have to mean the end of ski culture. The offseason is an ideal time to deepen your connection to the sport, meet like-minded people, support the mountain lifestyle, and even prepare for the next season. Whether you live in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, or a ski town like Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, or Aspen, there are countless ways to stay involved in the ski community year-round.
Ski shops and clubs aren’t just for winter outings. Many Colorado-based ski and snowboarding clubs offer year-round programming. These clubs organize social events, training meetups, volunteer opportunities, and outdoor adventures even during the warmer months.
Colorado Mountain Club (CMC): Based in Golden, CMC offers hiking, climbing, conservation, and education programs. Many members are avid skiers, and the club’s social activities are a great way to connect with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Meetup.com: Search for ski-related groups in your area. Even in summer, groups often host BBQs, training hikes, trail runs, and gear swaps.
Ski Town-Based Clubs: Most ski towns like Vail, Telluride, and Winter Park have social clubs or seasonal residents’ groups. Check town forums or rec centers for listings.
Colorado ski resorts rely on an intricate network of trails that double as hiking or biking paths in summer. Many non-profits and resort teams host summer trail maintenance days. Volunteering here is a great way to give back to the land that fuels your skiing passion.
VOC (Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado) partners with resorts and forest services on trail and habitat restoration.
Resorts like Aspen Snowmass, Copper Mountain, and Breckenridge have summer volunteer programs. You might even earn lift tickets for the next season.
Not only do you help maintain vital outdoor spaces, but you also work side-by-side with other local outdoor lovers, building bonds that last into next season.
Believe it or not, ski stoke is alive and well during the summer. Colorado plays host to a variety of outdoor and indoor film festivals, often screening ski and snowboard films even during the offseason.
Boulder Adventure Film Festival: Typically in the fall, but pre-events and workshops happen in summer.
Denver Outdoor Retailer Events: While geared toward the industry, these events often showcase ski innovation and draw a passionate crowd.
Mountainfilm on Tour: Though based in Telluride, this event tours Colorado towns with adventure and mountain sports documentaries.
Bring a lawn chair, enjoy a craft beer, and soak in the excitement of powder turns under a summer sky.
Staying in shape for skiing doesn’t need to wait for the first snowfall. Many skiers use the summer to build core strength, balance, and endurance, key components for improving ski performance and reducing injury risk.
Activities Perfect for Ski Prep:
Mountain Biking: Trails around Crested Butte, Steamboat, and Keystone help improve leg strength and cardio.
Trail Running: Summit County and the Front Range offer endless options for elevation training and agility.
Backpacking and Hiking: Carrying a pack up a 14er is great resistance training for ski touring.
CrossFit or Functional Training Gyms: Look for skier-specific programs or classes focused on mobility and leg power.
Consider joining a training program designed specifically for skiers - some are offered by former ski pros and coaches in Boulder and Denver.
Even in the summer months, many outdoor gear retailers stay open, offering equipment and apparel for mountain biking, hiking, and climbing, and they often feature offseason sales and community events worth checking out.
Attend gear swap events in your area (especially in August–October). You can buy used gear, sell your old stuff, or just chat gear with other ski nerds.
Many shops offer boot fitting, tuning clinics, or ski maintenance workshops in the offseason. Some even offer discounts for summer service.
Almost all major Colorado ski resorts transform into outdoor playgrounds once the snow melts. Visiting your favorite ski hills during the offseason helps you stay connected to the terrain you love and supports the local mountain economy.
Summer offerings often include:
Events like Oktoberfest in Vail, Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival, or Aspen’s Music Festival attract both locals and offseason ski bums.
Some performance coaches and ski organizations host offseason “dryland” ski camps to keep technique sharp. These might include balance training, plyometrics, roller skiing, and agility drills.
Ski Racing and Alpine Clubs often run offseason programming for both youth and adults.
Clinics may be offered through:
If you’re competitive or just want to improve form, this kind of training can be game-changing.
As climate change continues to affect snowpack levels and ski seasons, advocacy is more important than ever. You can become a steward of the mountains by supporting sustainability and conservation efforts.
Ways to Get Involved:
Founded by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones, Protect Our Winters (POW) works to educate and activate the outdoor community on climate issues. POW has a strong presence in Colorado and welcomes volunteers year-round.
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) and Leave No Trace Center also offer education and events focused on sustainable recreation.
Participate in local government meetings regarding resort expansions, land use, or outdoor tourism initiatives — your voice as a skier matters.
If you're craving ski culture but want something low-key, why not bring the mountains home? Create or join a ski-themed book club or film night.
Book Ideas:
Film Ideas:
Host a backyard projector night or fireside discussion with friends and neighbors who share the stoke.
Yes — you can still ski in summer! While most of Colorado shuts down skiing by early June, there are opportunities to get your turns in elsewhere.
Timberline Lodge, Oregon and Beartooth Basin, Montana often run into July due to their high altitude.
Some local backcountry patches above 13,000 feet still hold snow into July if you’re up for a hike.
This might not be for everyone, but summer skiing is a great adventure and keeps your muscle memory fresh.
Just because the lifts have stopped spinning doesn’t mean your ski life has to. From volunteering and training to socializing and adventuring, Colorado’s ski culture thrives year-round. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a lifelong powderhound, staying involved in the offseason not only keeps you fit and inspired — it strengthens the very community that makes winter on the slopes so magical.
So grab a bike, join a trail crew, or plan a backyard ski movie night. Winter will be back before you know it — and you'll be ready, mind, body, and spirit.
