Will Wyoming's Summer Ski Area Open This Year? First Look at Snowpack

Why It Matters

A robust snowpack could revive summer skiing revenue and demonstrate how niche resorts can adapt to climate volatility, influencing broader mountain‑tourism strategies.

Key Takeaways

• 235 inches snowfall since October, 29‑inch base depth
• Forecast adds 28 inches snow, temps mid‑30s°F
• Closed early June 2025, missed 2024 entirely
• 64th season depends on cold spring conditions
• Summer ski model tests climate‑change resilience

Pulse Analysis

Summer ski operations are a niche but growing segment of the mountain‑tourism market, offering resorts a way to extend revenue beyond the traditional winter window. Beartooth Basin, perched on the high‑altitude Beartoout Pass, has carved a reputation for daring terrain and a loyal community of die‑hard skiers. As climate change compresses snow seasons, the ability to open in late spring and early summer becomes a competitive differentiator, prompting operators to invest in road maintenance and lift upgrades that keep the mountain accessible when most resorts are shuttered.

Current conditions at Beartooth are unusually favorable. Since October, the basin has accumulated 235 inches of snow, creating a solid 29‑inch base at over 10,000 feet. Meteorologists project another 14 inches this week and a similar amount the following week, while daytime highs linger in the mid‑30s Fahrenheit. These numbers are significant because they offset the shortfalls that forced the resort to close in mid‑June last year and to miss the entire 2024 season. The added snowfall not only extends the skiable days but also improves safety on expert chutes and cornices that define the area’s appeal.

The broader industry watches Beartooth’s performance as a bellwether for high‑altitude, summer‑focused ski areas. A successful season could encourage other western resorts to explore limited summer operations, leveraging cold spring weather patterns that occasionally bring late‑season storms. Conversely, a poor snowpack would underscore the growing risk climate variability poses to niche ski markets. Stakeholders—from equipment manufacturers to local tourism boards—are therefore keenly interested in Beartooth’s ability to turn a challenging climate narrative into a profitable, year‑round adventure destination.