Summer Stashes: Photographer Jesse Levine explores the reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park

It is officially fall, and there is a slight chill in the air. While the impending snow is still somewhat distant, there are those whose appetite for snow knows no season. They travel far for just a few turns and bide their time before the first flakes fly.

All summer long, we’ve added to the growing list of places where you can find snowy terrain to beat the heat. For this installment of “Summer Stashes,” Jesse Levine takes us on a tour of earlier summer adventures to some of his favorite places for warm-weather skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Locations: Hallet Peak, Fairchild Mountain, Longs Peak, Mount Chiquita, Mount Meeker, Mount Richthofen, Pagoda-Chiefs Head, Ypsilon Mountain, Sundance Mountain

Ski Partners: Nate Long, Craig Merrill, Cody Kramer, Matt Sisko, Jimmy Wilson, Anders Ipsen, Zack Giffin, Austin Porzak, Mike Steinman, Dan Sohner

Prime Time: Year-round

Dan Sohner crosses one of many creeks in the park. [Photo] Jesse Levine

Mike Steinman on the South face of Mt. Fairchild, 13,502 feet. [Photo] Jesse Levine

Austin Porzak peers down the Notch Couloir to Chasm Lake 2,000 feet below. [Photo] Jesse Levine

Summer skiing usually involves a good pair of jorts, booze, pond skimming and fireworks—and is not to be taken very seriously. This is not so much the case when it comes to summer skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Think long days, sore feet, cuts and bruises, lots of swearing and some of the best ski mountaineering in the country.

From October to late April, RMNP is hammered by non-stop wind blasting over the continental divide, loading meter upon meter of snow on leeward aspects. This, combined with large spring storms, fills the rocky recesses of the park with deep snow, making for perfect summer ski conditions. The terrain is steep, rocky and often exposed—a ski mountaineer’s playground.

Zack Giffin charges down the North Face of Longs Peak. [Photo] Jesse Levine

Austin Porzak gets a mixed descent. [Photo] Jesse Levine

Craig Merrill and Cody Kramer strategize on the summit of Mount Ypsilon, 13,520 feet. [Photo] Jesse Levine

Craig Merrill skis perfect corn down to Fay Lakes. [Photo] Jesse Levine

Craig Merrill makes his way through a cruxy spot. [Photo] Jesse Levine

By Memorial Day weekend, the snowpack consolidates to perfect corn and the gates to Trail Ridge road open, allowing easier access to the high peaks. “Easier” may not be quite the right word, given that most of the skiing in RMNP requires a serious amount of walking, bush whacking, creek crossing, route finding (getting lost) and all around pain and suffering.

During the summer months, RMNP is one of the country’s busiest national parks. Almost 3.5 million people visit the park each year. Popular trailheads are loaded with Texans in cowboy hats shooting off remarks like, “I didn’t realize there was a ski lift up here?” Fortunately, most lines require a predawn start, so you won’t have to deal with the crowds until returning to your car. While summertime is peak season for park visitation, the industrious skier can find solitude not far from the trailheads.

Many of the steep lines in the park come into great skiing condition sometime between April and July. Pay close attention to late-season storms and conditions to ensure your intended line is skiable. Some routes will only be skiable a handful of days each year, if at all. RMNP holds a lifetime worth of steep skiing and some of the most spectacular scenery in the lower 48, if you’re willing to to work for it. Make sure you have beer back at the car—you’ll need it.