Ski Season Is Underway at North America's Lone Summer-Only Ski Area, Lift Tickets Just $50

At most mountains, the ski season just ended. At Beartooth Basin, Wyoming, it’s only getting started.

The ski area on the Wyoming-Montana border kicked off operations on May 25, 2026, firing up its two Poma lifts for skiers who aren’t quite ready to bid the season adieu. 

Tickets are cheap, coming in at $50. A season pass costs $395. Beartooth hasn’t confirmed a closing date yet. Ultimately, the weather and snowpack will likely dictate how long the one-of-a-kind party lasts.

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Beartooth is the only summer-only (yes, you’re right, that’s a mouthful, but I couldn’t think of a better way to word it) ski area in North America. There are resorts that open in the fall and last until July or August—think Timberline Lodge or Mammoth Mountain—but Beartooth is the lone outdoor ski area that only operates during the warmer months. 

During the winter, you can’t even get there by car. Its access road, the picturesque Beartooth Highway, doesn’t typically open until Memorial Day weekend.

Beartooth’s pared-back operations also set it apart. You won’t find a big lodge or endless amenities here. Instead, there are the Poma lifts and a wide-open basin. This isn’t a dinky ribbon of death, though.

“One of Beartooth Basin’s most iconic characteristics is the natural big-air potential created by the Twin Lakes Headwall itself,” Beartooth writes on its website, describing the terrain offerings. “Steep pitches, wind-sculpted rollovers, and strategically placed boulders form organic takeoffs and landings that allow skilled skiers and riders to find natural airs throughout the bowl.”

In short, skiers looking for a challenge won’t be bored during a trip to Beartooth. Add in the novelty of summer skiing, and you have the recipe for a memorable time. 

The brainchild of a crew of Austrians looking to establish a race camp, Beartooth dates back to the 1960s. Eventually, the ski area opened to the public, welcoming more than just private camp attendees. Since then, Beartooth has become an iconic stop on the North American ski area circuit. 

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Related: I Moved Away From the Mountains, But My Ski Dreams Won’t Let Me Go