How do skiers survive summer?
People regularly ask us what we do in the summer. “You’re a ski shop? Like, all the time? How does that work?”
Well, it means that summer gives us a chance to unwind and prepare for the season (which starts buzzing in September). And even though many of us start missing skiing about midway through July (or earlier), we also love having time to take advantage of this little paradise we call home.
To further elaborate on the summer lives of ski fanatics, we rounded up a few staffers and asked them to give us some insight into their warm months ways.
Amy — Powder7 Co-Owner + Child Chaser
Tell me about your recent bike trip with the fam! Have you been to that part of Canada before?
In a little under 2 weeks, we visited Fernie, Lake Louise, Golden, Revelstoke, and Kelowna. Our family of 5 camped each night in our adventure van – it was a little tight! Jordan planned the whole trip so we’d be able to ride right from the campgrounds. A few highlights: a close encounter with a black bear while I was out solo riding in Fernie, riding with the kids up to Lake Louise from town, and riding a rail to trail near Kelowna with 18 trestles…in a rainstorm…that resulted in the boys and I taking refuge in a barn for an hour and a half while we waited for Jordan to rescue us.
Have you been MTBing for long?
I got my first mountain bike in middle school, a Trek800, but it wasn’t until I moved to Colorado after college that I really started to do it regularly. In 2013 I rode the Leadville 100, and since then I’ve done a few other longer mountain bike races, like the Steamboat Stinger 50 on a single speed (now Emerald Mountain Epic). I’m trying to gradually improve my technical riding by adding in more downhill days with the kids so that I can keep up with them for as long as possible (my 10 year old and his friends are starting to drop me on the descents, eek!).
How do you normally spend your off-season?
Biking is always a big part of my off-season, coupled with as much time on the water as possible. I need to spend time outside everyday, and I like to mix that time with solo activities and ones I can enjoy with my kids.
Favorite piece of non-skiing gear?
This summer, my daughter and I are completely obsessed with the Kids Ride Shotgun seat (pictured above). It’s a little bike seat for toddlers that attaches to my bike’s top tube so she can ride along with me. Being able to take her on single track has been so fun for both of us, and it’s enabled us to all ride together as a family. Having her up front means we get to chat (she loves to tell me stories) and she gets a clear view of everything.
What’s your summer beverage of choice?
Margaritas. But, if we’re talking immediately after a ride with the kids I’ll make a round of Apfelshörles – apple juice mixed with sparkling water.
Have you started dreaming of powder days yet?
I’m always dreaming of powder days! I like the ease of summer—walking outside barefooted, no shoveling to worry about, no wrangling kids into layers—but I adore winter. For the past few summers we’ve planned a trip to a cooler climate, and it’s been awesome to get to experience cooler days in the summer months.
Sean Z. — Web Developer + Resident PNW Expert
Tell me about your summer! I hear you’ve got a big trip coming up on the books!
I do! I’ll be spending 2 weeks biking and hiking in central Europe, with my parents and some of their friends. The first week will be in Tyrol, Austria in the Spertental Valley, which will mostly be spent biking and visiting various biergartens. The second week will be spent at the Zsigmondy Hutte in the Dolomites in Northern Italy. I plan on doing a few hut-to-hut hikes and at least one via ferrata climb. (Similar to the one that A-Basin just installed last summer!)
What made you decide to go on such a big adventure? Have you been to Europe before?
My family has some friends in Germany/Austria so we’ve been there a few times before.
Favorite piece of non-skiing gear?
Especially for this trip, probably my Crocs. There’s nothing better than coming back from a day-long hike and slipping those on. Honestly, I’d probably hike in them instead of my boots but that’s “not proper footwear” and “dangerous”.
What’s your summer beverage of choice?
Anything made by Prost Brewing in Denver, particularly the Kölsch. Although, Arizona came out with some hard ice teas that are pretty excellent as well.
Have you started dreaming of powder days yet?
Definitely! This is only my second season skiing in Washington after moving here, so I’m stoked to explore the mountains I haven’t been to yet.
Josh — Ski Tech + Photographer Extraordinaire
What adventures are you going on this summer?
It’s been a lot of camping trips for photos. So far I’ve been to the Sand Dunes, Crested Butte, the Never Summer mountain range. Headed to Granby for the Fourth, and San Juans next week. That’s all I’ve got planned. For now.
What kind of photos are you taking?
All sorts of things, I’m working on building my portfolio and getting some larger photos for big prints.
How do you normally spend your off-season?
Normally a lot of camping and trips that I’m going on right now. Usually, I keep skiing a lot more, but not so much this year. I’m a little burned out. But I’ll still get my once-a-month “turns all year” days in at least. I’m at 38 months right now, so gotta keep that going. My go-to summer ski spots are Skyscraper and James Peak.
Favorite piece of non-skiing gear?
My Hyperlite backpack. I use it for skiing, but I also use it for backpacking and my camera. I don’t know if that counts as non-ski gear. But it’s too easy to not use for everything, it’s a literal trash bag that I can’t break.
What’s your cold summer beverage of choice?
Coors Light.
Have you started dreaming of powder days yet, or are you still relishing in the heat?
Oh yeah. I’m planning a trip to Japan in Feburary, so it’s very much on my mind.
Check out the rest of Josh’s photography and his ski adventures: @joshstormrider
Chad — Buyer + Mandolin Prodigy
What adventures are you getting into this summer?
I just went to Telluride for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, which was a last-minute adventure, and an adventure getting home from. Saw good music, played good music, and met Sam Bush (the best mandolin player of all time). I’m in a band now—The Good for Nothin’ Thunder Mountain Boys. You can catch me live soon, we’re playing Globe Hall in Denver 7/12.
How long have you been playing mandolin?
It was a Covid project, so four to five years? Playing in a band is newer, it started this summer, so just a few months. Playing in the band has been fun. Definitely hard to balance the schedule, but it’s a cool way to turn a hobby into playing music in venues.
How do you normally spend your off-season?
Trying to get back in kayaking if my shoulders allow me. Hanging around Golden, but also some trips up to BV and Salida.
Favorite piece of non-ski gear?
My mandolin. It’s an Elkhorn, custom-built in Durango, for those curious.
Favorite summer beverage?
I’ve been enjoying spicy margaritas lately. King of Wings has some good ones.
Have you started dreaming of powder days yet?
Almost. Not quite there.
Annabelle C. — Customer Service Supervisor + Animal Mom
Where have you been this summer so far?
I just got back from vacation back in South Carolina where I’m from. Went to the beach on Edisto Island. Great beach. We found out that an egret had nested on the Verizon tower so they couldn’t move it until the babies had hatched. So that meant I had no service, which was actually pretty nice. Not much to do except hang out on the beach and eat food. Ate some Shrimp corn potatoes sausage, Beaufort Went to the aquarium, got a tattoo. I did a lot on vacation!
What did you do Fourth?
Barbequed a pig, had to set the fire up the night before to get the coals rolling. Then just hung out in the pool. Set off fireworks over the pond. Pretty classic July Fourth in the South.
Do you have anything else planned this summer?
Red Rocks shows, wedding planning, and chilling!
Favorite piece of non-skiing gear?
I’ve just been introduced to Neso Tents, they’re a shade canopy. They’re super easy to set up and light, then you’ve got shade everywhere.
What’s your cold summer beverage of choice?
Lemonade.
Have you started dreaming of powder days yet, or are you still relishing in the heat?
Yeah….yeah….I’m ready for the weather to get colder…but maybe I’m just ready for fall. Then I can reasonably get excited for skiing. If I get excited now, it’s too much of a let down.
Harry — Warehouse Associate + Constant Explorer
What kind of adventures are you getting into this summer?
Just been trying to explore a new hike every time I go out.
Has there been a particularly memorable hike or region you want to check out more?
I’d like to get up to the alpine lakes up in Vail, Booth Lake is next on my list. But really, there’s a bunch of alpine lakes up in that area that look fun to check out. I’m trying to get further and further away from the Front Range every time I go out.
I know you’ve been hiking with some people from the shop, is it fun to get to know folks off the clock?
It’s been fun to get to know some people from work, not on the clock. It feels like when you hang out with people outside of work, you get to build a better connection that’s not so work-focused.
What was your favorite thing to do growing up in the summer?
We hung out at the lake a lot. That’s definitely the thing I miss the most during the summer. Out here, there’s no ocean, not a lot of lakes, and the water is so cold! Back home in New Hampshire, I could just float around and marinate in the lake for hours.
Favorite piece of non-skiing gear?
Probably my hiking pack. It’s an Osprey Hikelite 28L.
What’s your cold summer beverage of choice?
Hibiscus iced tea.
Have you started dreaming of powder days yet?
Oh, I am praying for snow. When I was growing up in NH, I loved the summer, but now living out here it’s so hot I just can’t wait for it to be colder.
Annabelle M. — Custom Bootfitter + Skier of All Water Forms
Where did you just get back from on vacation?
Over the Fourth, I went to Lake Oconee outside Atlanta and spent some time wake surfing and water skiing (on one plank no two, like the cool kids). Always fun to get to go back home and get to do things like that. It’s sort of like a wall sit for 15 minutes. So great ski training.
Do you have anything else planned this summer?
I’ve got my three bucket list bike rides for the summer: Monarch Crest, Jones Pass, and Bowman’s Shortcut up in Vail. Lots of biking. Maybe a PNW trip. Take ten days or so take a road trip all the way up there, and visit some friends along the way. So that’s my summer. It feels like it’s almost over.
Yeah, it’s July 7th already.
Yeah, I hate it. It felt like June didn’t even exist. It feels like everything is just getting going, but it also already feels like it’s almost over!
Favorite piece of non-skiing gear?
My mountain biking multi-tool and pump kit. Best gift from my brother ever.
What’s your cold summer beverage of choice?
Water?
Have you started dreaming of powder days yet, or are you still relishing in the heat?
Oh, I have, yes. Always dreaming of powder. But I don’t really want it to be November/December, I’d rather it just be February, with mid-winter coverage and pow.
