Red, White Slopes and Blue: Where You Can Snow Ski This Fourth of July
America's birthday on the Fourth of July is usually associated with warm-weather celebrations: picnics, fireworks and parades, all trimmed up in patriotic colors. This year, at least five North American ski slopes will be open July Fourth (a dozen were open for Memorial Day). So you can pack your ski pants and goggles along with your hot dogs, watermelons and sparklers for a slightly cooler Independence Day celebration of the red, white (slopes) and blue.
Passionate skiers and boarders can get their Independence Day summer runs in at Mammoth and Squaw Valley in California, Timberline Lodge in Oregon, Whistler Blackcomb on the Horstman Glacier in British Columbia and at Beartooth Basin on the Montana/Wyoming border.
Snowbird in Utah and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado are both hoping to extend operations into the July Fourth week, but are setting their schedule week to week, depending on conditions. Arapahoe Basin will operate the weekend of June 28–30, with fingers crossed that the mountain can stay open for one additional week. Snowbird is still operating Saturdays and Sundays and will remain open as long as conditions permit.
6/29 Update: Arapahoe Basin and Snowbird will also be open on July 4. A-Basin will operate lifts from from 8:30am - 2:30pm and Snowbird will take skiers up for one last round of summer fun from 8am - 12pm.
Where You Can Ski on the Fourth of July
Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe in California is expecting a big Fourth of July crowd and the ski area advises that visitors should arrive early. Lifts will open at 8am and close at 2pm. The first 1,000 to board the Funitel Lift will be given free Freedom Fest shirts at the top of Funitel in the Gold Coast Plaza area.
The Funitel will be the only access up the mountain but Big Blue, Gold Coast and Shirley lifts will serve the slopes that remain open. The ski area advises that absolutely no beginner terrain will be available. Snow will get sticky, so extra wax is recommended. Walk-up lift tickets are $69 for adults, $49 for seniors and teens and $39 for children. Carpooling is suggested to ease the traffic flow. The ski area is also offering $5 tickets on Fridays in June with proceeds going to The Tahoe Fund, which works to improve the natural environment of Lake Tahoe Basin. The $5 lift tickets must be purchased online or through the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows app at least 48 hours in advance. The Ikon Pass also covers spring skiing.
Mammoth Mountain's ski season has been known to run through the entire summer. This year's total snowfall of 719 inches at the summit strongly indicates 2019 is on that path. Snow depth still runs from 30 inches at the main lodge to 95 inches at the summit. Lifts are running from 7:30am to 1pm daily and top-to-bottom skiing is still possible. Seven lifts are operating and serving 46 trails and three terrain parks. Online lift tickets cost $89 for adults, $72 for teens/seniors and $36 for children. Seniors over 80 and children under 4 can ski free. Ikon Pass members (from this year or next year) can also enjoy spring skiing here at no additional fee by showing their pass.
Because of the tremendous snowfall this year, the resort has, for only the second time, received approval to have a huge fireworks display at the summit on July 6 as part of its Freedom Bash. Tickets are required to ride to the 11,053-foot summit to get a closeup of the nation's highest pyrotechnic spectacular. Viewing will also be possible from the base area.
Whistler Blackcomb is in British Columbia, but you can still ski there on July 4 via the Hortsman Glacier from 11am to 3pm, weather permitting, through July 14. The Blackcomb Gondola will whisk visitors to the glacier area where only advanced-to-expert runs can be accessed via T-bars. Glacier lift tickets cost $52 for adults; $47 for seniors/teens, and $26 for kids. (Here's our take on the Westin Whistler.)
Related: Best Credit Cards for Ski Trips
Beartooth Basin is located between Red Lodge, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park on the beautiful Beartooth Highway (Highway 212). Beartooth Basin is a quintessential small ski hill that is unique in that it traditionally only has a five- to six-week ski season that is in the "warmer" months. The highway is closed throughout the winter and much of the spring because the ski area cannot open until the road gets cleared.
This year, heavy snow resulted in a mid-June opening that will equate to only a three-week ski window. Beartooth Basin has about 600 acres of terrain with 1,000 feet of vertical. Two high-speed Poma lifts, platter lifts, take skiers to the top of the headwall. The slopes vary between 15 and 50 degrees of pitch and skiers must have at least advanced-intermediate ability. Tickets cost $45 and the area is open from 9am to 3pm. Tickets can be purchased online but cash or checks are required on the mountain. Beartooth is such a quaint location that a "Go Fund Me" campaign was recently held to repair a lift.
Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood in Oregon claims that it can offer skiing 12 months a year and currently has three lifts operating with blue and black runs available. The area got close to 500 inches of snowfall this year and has a snow base of 23 inches at The Lodge, with two fresh inches just fallen. Lift tickets for all ages are $73 and lifts are open from 7am to 2pm. It has been reported that Timberline uses rock salt on its upper runs in the summer to make the snow less grabby.
Bottom Line
Summer is probably not the time to learn to ski as the sections of the mountains that are open for skiing on the Fourth of July and surrounding weeks are often more difficult runs. Additionally, opening and closing and times of operation are all subject to the conditions. All that said, skiing the white while celebrating the red, white and blue is pretty unique. Ski safe out there!
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.