June skiing out West isn’t an out of the ordinary occurrence in places like Mammoth, Timberline, and Arapahoe. And then there are those one off HUGE winters where places like Aspen or even this year Arizona Snowbowl kept the lifts running into June. However, in the Midwest, it’s as rare as a shooting star. It burns brightly and quickly, leaving you in awe. On June 14th 2024, Hyland Hills joined the exclusive list of Midwest ski areas that have offered skiing in June.
It’s Different
I’ve skied in June at Mammoth and Palisades, where it feels almost normal if you know what I mean. Lines of snow in between granite often last into the fall. However, I had the rare opportunity to experience this at Tyrol Basin years ago. Seeing snow in June in the Midwest is like spotting a coyote strolling down Broadway in Manhattan. Amidst the dark military green maple leaves, lush mowed grass, and high humidity, there’s a pile of snow gleaming in the sunshine like a rare white diamond. It isn’t perfect, but who cares! It’s still snow sliding.
How It Came To Fruition
Hyland Hills is unique in that it’s one of the few ski areas in the country run by a park district. Each year, the area hosts an annual park districts forum to showcase how they positively impact the community and area. In 2023, Hyland Hills aimed to end the event with a bang. They moved all the snow into a giant pile after the season ended, covered it up, and when June arrived created a snow tubing hill! After the tubing was finished, they realized they had enough snow left to host a rail jam.
Success Breeds A Bigger Jam
They say in business you should focus on your strengths, and that’s exactly what Hyland Hills does. They know they aren’t the biggest ski area, so they channel all their energy into building an elite park. It has become arguably one of the best in the Midwest. After last year’s success, they realized a summer rail jam was the perfect way to showcase their skills. So, they saved all the snow from last winter once again and made it an even bigger event—featuring a rail jam with an afterparty.
What Was it Like
The session was capped at 75 participants, with a handful of rails set up. According to Matt Zabransky of Midwestkiers.com, the vibe was like a backyard rail jam session. A couple of vendors were selling their swag, and even Red Bull showed up. The atmosphere was friendly, with everyone hyping each other up to land the biggest trick of the day. Although it wasn’t a competition, each of the 75 participants received limited edition hats.
A New Tradition?
In addition to the 75 participants, hundreds of others were there, soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying one last chance to après before summer truly sets in. Given the event’s success, there’s a high likelihood it won’t be a one-time thing but could become a tradition. I personally would love to see it become the Midwest’s version of Hot Dawgz & Hand Rails. Will it? You never know.
