When the snow melts and skis go into storage, most folks switch gears and slow down. But for those of us who live in the backcountry, the mountain never really goes quiet. It just speaks in a different voice, one of dry scree, shaded gullies, and sun-baked ridges.
As our ambassador Taco puts it, even in summer, his mind and body are tuned to the mountains:
| “Even on my bike, I’m scanning the landscape, checking out lines I still haven’t skied, dreaming about winter.”
Johann Civel takes a different route but arrives at the same connection.
| “just after the Summer , I move with my family on the West cost of French. So I am still depending of the wind and waves conditions. Depending the weather forçast, I Will go surfing, winging or soaring with my paraglide.”
For him and many like us, summer isn’t downtime. It’s a season of connection, exploration, and quiet preparation.
Taco’s summer shifts from splitboarding to climbing hard routes on rock. Whether it’s sending single pitches or tackling multipitch climbs, every move keeps him sharp and in rhythm with the mountain’s pulse.
| “Multipitching gives a whole different kind of adventure,” Taco shares. “You’re out there with your climbing buddy, not knowing what to expect. It’s not about numbers or stats, it’s about the feeling, the freedom, the views.”
For Johann, summer on the Atlantic coast isn’t about slowing down, it’s about trading snow for swell.
| “Last week of June was awesome. Mixing between surfing and winging in perfect conditions. Great waves and hot water :)”
Credit: Johann Civel
When the days don’t allow long climbs, he hops on his gravel bike to explore remote tracks, an adventure all its own, but still a chance to stay close to the terrain:
| “Riding gravel tracks feels like pure freedom, but even then, I’m spotting new ski lines in my mind, imagining next winter’s descents.”
This blend of movement (rock, bike, hike) keeps the mountain spirit alive, even without snow beneath the feet.
The mountain’s summer skin holds clues only those who spend time with it can read. Dry scree fields mimic the angles of powder slopes. Shaded gullies might still cradle patches of moisture, hinting at late-season snow holds. Rockfall scars tell stories of avalanche zones and unstable terrain beneath future snowpacks.
Taco points out that observing these features in summer isn’t just idle curiosity, it’s an ongoing mental map for winter adventures:
| “Knowing where snow might stick longer or where the crust forms helps you pick your lines when the snow’s back.”
This terrain memory is built on years of experience, on feet and eyes that never fully leave the mountain’s rhythm. But not every skier stays tuned in the same way.
Credit: Taco spriensma
As Johann puts it with a grin:
| “Not really, that’s my main problem… nothing to be fit for skiing…”
You don’t need complicated apps or heavy note-taking to hold onto those summer insights.
Taco keeps it straightforward:
- Snap a quick photo from a vantage point or interesting slope
- Drop a pin on his GPS app when a promising line or gully catches his eye
- Record a short voice memo if a thought or idea strikes mid-hike
| “It’s not a data dump”
“More like leaving breadcrumbs for winter.”
Credit: Taco spriensma
This light touch keeps the connection effortless, ready to pick up when the snow falls again.
It’s not about strict training or rigid plans. Whether it’s pushing a challenging rock route, cruising gravel tracks, or just wandering with purpose on summer hikes, it’s all part of staying in tune.
| “Keeping fit helps, sure,” Taco admits, “but more than that, it’s about keeping the adventure alive all year round.”
For some, that summer rhythm means slowing down. Johann shares:
| “Patience, enjoying the family, and the sea.”
Credit: Johann Civel
The mountain’s summer skin holds clues only those who spend time with it can read. Dry scree fields mimic the angles of powder slopes. Shaded gullies might still cradle patches of moisture, hinting at late-season snow holds. Rockfall scars tell stories of avalanche zones and unstable terrain beneath future snowpacks.
Taco points out that observing these features in summer isn’t just idle curiosity, it’s an ongoing mental map for winter adventures:
| “Knowing where snow might stick longer or where the crust forms helps you pick your lines when the snow’s back.”
Credit: Taco spriensma
This terrain memory is built on years of experience, on feet and eyes that never fully leave the mountain’s rhythm. But not every skier stays tuned in the same way.
As Johann puts it with a grin:
| “Not really, that’s my main problem… nothing to be fit for skiing…”
At OGSO, we know that the mountain calls year-round. The seasons change, but the spirit stays, and so do we.
So, wherever your summer takes you – keep hiking, climbing, riding, exploring. Keep imagining those lines, and keep your winter mind alive in a summer body.
What about you?
What summer moves keep you connected to the mountain?