Turns All Year
Turns All Year: Why I Ski in July (and You Should Too... Kinda)
Some people chase summer sunshine but a small group of trauma bonded individuals chase sad little ribbons of snow on shaded slopes with skis, dogs, and an unreasonable amount of enthusiasm. Welcome to Turns All Year—my favorite absolutely bonkers, totally unnecessary tradition of skiing every month of the year in Washington State.
And honestly? I love it.
It’s whimsical. It's sweaty. It’s often type-2 fun at its finest. Imagine carrying your skis past wildflowers, dodging mosquitoes, sidestepping sun cups, and doing it all for maybe six turns on some crusty July snow. It’s silly—but sliding on snow, even when the conditions are laughably subpar, still sparks ridiculous joy.
Photo by Jaki Portolese @jakfruit
What is Turns All Year (TAY)?
Turns All Year, often abbreviated as TAY, is a long-running grassroots community of backcountry skiers and splitboarders who aim to make at least one ski turn every month of the year—rain or shine, summer or winter, July corn or October crust —yes, even in August.
It’s about consistency, connection, and getting creative when the snowline retreats.
Learn more and browse the trip reports at: www.turns-all-year.com
Dogs, Dumbness, and Delight
TAY gives me the perfect excuse to:
Take the dogs out for a romp (yes, they love it as much as I do),
Get in a sweaty alpine workout,
And maybe post a Reel or two to keep the “why are you like this?” DMs rolling in.
It's half training day, half satire of my own personality, and fully fantastic.
But also… let’s be real for a sec.
Late-Season Stashes Worth Hiking For
Silver Peak – Snoqualmie Pass, WA
North-facing, accessible, and usually still holding decent snow into June. Easy to link mellow laps without hiking too far.
Chair Peak Patch – Alpental, WA
The snowfield below Chair Peak hangs on longer than you'd think.
Lake 22 Patch – North Cascades, WA
There's often a sneaky little patch at the far end of Lake 22. Low effort, high vibes. The perfect excuse for a dip + ski combo day.
Mt. Baker – Artist Point, WA
The snow sticks late here—there’s almost always a line to be found.
Mt. Rainier – Paradise, WA
Iconic. Massive. Paradise holds soft corn well into July if you are willing to hike for it.
Mt. Hood – Palmer Glacier, OR
For when you really need a July fix and don’t feel like hiking for it. Ski laps in a T-shirt, then tailgate in the parking lot. A TAY dream day.
⛑ EMR PSA: Summer Skiing is Not Casual
As a certified Emergency Medical Responder, I’d be remiss not to mention the hazards. Summer skiing isn’t all frolicking with your dog in the snow—it can go sideways fast.
🔥 The Main Offenders:
Exposed Rocks: One wrong turn and you're base-grinding granite but with your noggin. Wear a helmet if there are exposed rocks around you.
Dehydration & Heat Illness: Just because you're skiing doesn’t mean it’s cold. Pack more water than you think and salt-based snacks.
Snowbridge Surprises: Melt-outs can leave thin, sketchy snowfields. Test every step. And for the love of God do NOT go in the snow cave.
Gear Gaps: Check your bindings, boots, and skins before you leave the house. Nothing like hiking 6 miles for a broken toe piece.
✅ Pack Essentials:
First aid kit
Headlamp (always!)
Water + electrolytes (Protekt liquid hydration is king)
Layers (yes, you’ll sweat and freeze)
Map + GPS
Emergency communication device (InReach, Zoleo, etc.)
🤡 But Also… It's Just Plain Fun
The absurdity is half the point. There's something deeply joyful about carving a few sloppy turns in July while your dog postholes alongside you. It’s play. It’s community. It’s an unofficial cult of weirdos with skis—and I’m proud to be one of them.
So here’s to the sunburned goggle tan, wet socks, and questionable descents that make TAY magic.
See you on the snow patch, fellow weirdos.
xo - Mo