When you hear the words ‘ski lodge’, you’re immediately swept away by images of fresh fallen snow, bright ski gear, snowboarding, and chair lifts. Well, while all of those images are well and good, what happens during the late spring and summer months? After all, the amount of snow falling will be drastically lower & what is on the ground may not be the most conducive to traditional “slope” activities.
The important thing is to not get discouraged. Traveling to a ski lodge during less-than-peak times doesn’t mean you’re out of luck in terms of the fun. In fact, you might be in store for some absolutely awesome times. Here are five things that will make your post-ski season ski lodge visit an absolute blast:
1. Hiking – This is an unsung activity that often gets touted as a “must do” in just about any environment. Keep in mind, though, that you’re in the mountains, and as such, the terrain is actually the birthplace of the hike. You’re also being greeted by an environment that has cool, temperate weather, elevations that test your physical fitness, and you can finally eat trail mix on a trail where you’re using a lot of energy!
2. Camping – Ski lodges have the fortunate nature of being in and around national forests. Not only are you greeted with pristine, unspoiled nature, you’re also given the chance to really enjoy the wild. Take advantage by taking a walk along a riverbank or just look up in the sky & see all of the stars that you aren’t afforded by living in the big city.
3. Fishing – It might be a hard sell to call fishing a ‘cool’ activity, but the fact remains that anglers and outdoorsman are part of the original “mountain folk” in this country, so in some respects, by casting a line into a mountain stream, you are connecting with a long line of pioneers. Plus, being able to fish is about as relaxed as you can get. The key is to remember that the fishing is the fun part, and you always have the catching to look forward to as well.
4. Horseback Riding – Luckily, many ski lodges and their surrounding towns offer horseback riding to visitors as a way to explore. Riding a horse is akin to connecting to a traditional way of life, and it’s also a great way for someone to gain an appreciation for the amazing animal we call the horse.
5. Off-Road Adventure – Now for something completely different! Many ski lodges are situated near off-road vehicle trails. What better way to hit the “back country” than by revving your ATV engine and letting nature know you’re there to explore. Many lodges can steer you in the right direction for ATV rental companies so you don’t have to supply your own vehicle.
Be adventurous & have an open mind, and you’ll be sure to find that a ski lodge can be so much more than just skiing.