Grizzly bears are a common sight on the slopes of Banff's Lake Louise in summer. (Courtesy of Lake Louise Ski Area)

We may soon say so long to another winter ski season, but we shouldn't bid adieu to winter ski areas. Most North American ski resorts operate throughout spring and summer, often with non-ski activities that are, shall we say, slightly unexpected. Here are some examples:

Lake Louise, Alta.: Starting in mid-May, Banff's Lake Louise Ski Area fires up its main ski lift for a 14-minute ride up the front face of the mountain. Sightseers score pretty amazing views of the famous Lake Louise, Victoria Glacier and the surrounding Bow Valley. But they may also spot something unanticipated: A grizzly bear. Lake Louise spokesman Mike Moynihan calls the Banff ski area the Home of the Grizzly Bear.

"Our surrounding area," he says, "has a high density of wild grizzlies thanks to a quality habitat that allows bears to thrive. There's everything from new growth vegetation on the ski runs, to sunlight, a good water supply, and a quality food source -- including dandelions and buffalo berries."

At the top of the lift there's an interpretive centre, guided walks and an observation deck at the ski area's Whitehorn Lodge. See lakelouisegondola.com.

Blue Mountain, Ont.: A new Ridge Runner alpine roller coaster will open in time for the May long weekend.

"Ridge Runner seats up to two people at a time and puts the rider in the driver's seat, literally, controlling the speed and velocity at which the cart travels down the escarpment. The coaster will take riders through an exhilarating ride, twisting and turning down Blue Mountain's varied terrain, around two large circle construction elements and over elevated bridging features," spokesperson Kelly O'Neil says. Cost per ride will be $15 plus taxes. Drivers must be 12 years old and 54 inches tall, but kids under 12 can ride for $5 with an adult. See bluemountain.ca.

Sun Peaks, B.C.: Most identify Sun Peaks with skiing but it's also home to the highest golf course in the province. With the highest tee (the 16th) at 1,333 metres, the air up there is thinner, which means golf balls travel farther. Advantage: Golfers enjoy longer shots. The 72-par course near Kamloops was designed by Graham Cooke. See sunpeaksresort.com.

Silver Star, B.C.: Silver Star's steep and dramatic ski terrain comes alive with wild flowers in summer -- an unexpected backdrop for something as genial as a Teddy Bear Picnic. Each year on the August long weekend, Silver Star village near Vernon comes alive with festivities for kids, including bouncy castles, inflatable caterpillars, face painting and a free chairlift ride to a high-alpine picnic with teddy bears. The event is followed Aug. 5-7 by Silver Star's annual

Wildflower Festival, a weekend of culinary classes, beer seminars, wine masters' dinners, arts and crafts. See skisilverstar.com.

Aspen, Colo.: Outside in Aspen is an annual event (June 10-12 this year) designed to bring family and friends together to learn new outdoor sports and activities. The legendary ski town's centre acts as base camp, headquarters for adventures that include rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddling, rock climbing, mountaineering and fly fishing. Adventure filmmaking and photography sessions will also be run by Outside magazine. See outsideinaspen.com

Whistler, B.C.: Many locals insist summer is the best season to experience Whistler. Ever irreverent, this year the ski town is introducing an event called the Warrior Dash: A mud-crawling, fire-leaping extreme race set for Blackcomb Mountain Aug. 11 (warriordash.com). Whistler's Kokanee Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival returns July 16-24, featuring freeride competitions, slopestyle and Air DH competitions. Perhaps most eclectic is the festival's The Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge in which photographers are teamed up with athletes and unleashed on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. They have three days to shoot, edit and compile a slide show to impress the judges at a finale at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. See crankworx.com.

Mount Washington, B.C.: Folks on Vancouver Island insist riding doesn't end in the winter. Their new Family Learn to Ride at the Mount Washington Bike Park includes a two-hour lesson, full-day rental and bike-park ticket for two adults and two kids. See mountwashington.ca.

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