Controls for Dark Summit resemble other skateboarding and snowboarding games of the time. The player is able to perform grinds/jibs, grabs, flips, and complete special tricks on the mountain, alien half-pipe and the chairlift half-pipe.
Different areas are accessed by chairlift, and unlocked via "Lift Points" earned by completing missions. Cosmetics and snowboard upgrades are unlocked through "Equipment Points", earned by completing tricks around the mountain. Special tricks and combos earn more Equipment Points. Lift Points and Equipment Points are accumulated, and for every milestone reached, the player unlocks a new area, cosmetic and snowboard upgrade.
There are 4 different unlockable snowboards by earning Equipment Points. The starting boards offers no advantage over the others and will quickly become obsolete. However, newer boards enhance the overall speed and trick performance of the player.