The winter holiday season has become synonymous with skiing and snowboarding, making it one of the best times for families to spend plenty of quality time together on and off the ski slopes. But, there are a few caveats of spending the holidays at ski resorts. Ski towns around Christmastime fill up, and if you don’t act early, you may not find any room at the inn. In fact, you’ll want to book your ski accommodations for Christmas before the season starts. Other important considerations for a Christmas ski trip includes dining out and dinner reservations. You’ll want to book dinner reservations ahead of time, especially for those sought after Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners.
Nonetheless, with a little bit of planning, a holiday ski trip can make for a memorable ski vacation to kick off the ski season. So we’re here with a round-up of some of best ski resorts to spend the holidays at. Note: Use our Snow Before You Go forecasts as a reference as the holidays get closer.
Best Ski Resorts for the Holidays
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a quintessential New England ski town, and that much more around the holiday season. In fact, Stowe was the only North America destination on CNN’s list of the best ski resorts around the world for the holidays. The town of Stowe goes all out, with parades, tree lightings, holiday bazaars, holiday music, and more. Take in the magic of the Village at Spruce Peak between laps at Stowe Mountain Resort. Enjoy complimentary access to Spruce Peak Village’s ice skating rink (rentals available for a fee), or cozy up fireside for s’mores and hot chocolate. If you’re in Stowe in mid-December, don’t miss the Spruce Peak Lights Festival.
» View Stowe Holiday Lodging Options
Big Sky, Montana
Start the holidays early with the Big Sky Christmas Stroll, happening December 8-10. Join in the fun at the Meadow Village Center and at Big Sky Town Center for a weekend of family-friendly events, entertainment, and holiday cheer. The fun continues Christmas Eve at Big Sky with a whole host of events, from skiing with Santa and Ms. Claus to Christmas Eve Dinner to the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks. It’s only fitting that a place called Big Sky would go big for the holidays. See Big Sky’s complete line-up of Christmas events here.
» View Big Sky Holiday Lodging Options
Park City and Deer Valley, Utah
Kick off the Christmas season in Park City at the giant tree lighting ceremony at Canyons Village, take the kids for a ride on Heber Valley’s North Pole Express (get tickets before they sell out), or head down to Main Street for the annual Electric Parade. The unique Park City holiday traditions continue when Old Saint Nick ditches his reindeer and makes an entrance during the “Santa Comes Down the Town Lift” event. Music, entertainers, and more keep the holiday spirit flowing in Park City.
Over at Deer Valley Resort, Montage Deer Valley’s Christmas activities include Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, and a Christmas Eve reading by Santa Claus of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Additionally, kids have the opportunity to decorate cookies and write a special letter to Santa. Santa comes to a couple of Deer Valley’s lodges on Christmas Eve for photos with kids.
» View Deer Valley Holiday Lodging Options
Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta
Visit the spectacularly decorated Chateau Lake Louise and ski at Lake Louise Ski Resort for an iconic holiday experience in Canada. Headlining events include the torchlight dinner and ski event, while unique experiences abound, like horse-drawn sleigh rides along the edge of Lake Louise. Popular holiday events in Banff include the European-like Banff Christmas Market, which takes place over several weekends in November and December, and the “In Search of Christmas Spirit” experience, which follows an enchanted trail with illuminated sculptures, a fun story, and sound effects. Last, but not least, check out Mountaintop Christmas at the Banff Gondola, consisting of Santa’s Workshop, cookie decorating, craft making, movies, games, and more.
» View Lake Louise Holiday Lodging Options
Whiteface at Lake Placid, New York
The annual Holiday Village Stroll is among Lake Placid’s great holiday events, featuring an entire weekend full of fun festivities for families and kids in mid-December. Choose between ice skating and ugly sweater parties on Friday. Have breakfast with Santa at the Grand Adirondack Hotel Saturday morning, then decorate cookies and check out the tree lighting in the evening. Finally, see a matinee showing of The Polar Express on Sunday at the Palace Theatre with free popcorn and a special gift for early arrivals. Say hi to Santa who will be making an appearance in several locations around Lake Placid. Other holiday events will be taking place around Lake Placid closer to Christmas. Don’t miss the Polar Express train ride from December 15-22 with the Adirondack Railroad.
» View Whiteface Holiday Lodging Options
Crystal Mountain, Michigan
Don’t sleep on the Midwest. Michigan’s Crystal Mountain has a lot going on around Christmas. The Snowiest Snowflake Contest at the Park at Water’s Edge occurs daily, where guests create a unique snowflake and are entered to win prizes. Elsewhere, take your kids to slide, swing, and climb at Frankly Fun Playground, located behind the Mountain Adventure Zone, or go ice skating in Barr Park right in the heart of Crystal’s village. Then, on Christmas Eve, ski with Santa on the slopes. Cap it off with a holiday buffet at the Wild Tomato and enjoy the magic of horse-drawn Surrey rides.
» View Crystal Mountain Holiday Lodging Options.
Sun Valley Resort, Idaho
It’s fitting that America’s first destination ski resort, Sun Valley Resort, is one of the best ski destinations for the holidays. The holiday spirit takes over Sun Valley Resort over the month of December, from Sun Valley carolers strolling the European-style holiday market to the lit Christmas tree to the torchlight parade down Dollar Mountain on Christmas Eve to fireworks that close out the month. Enjoy photo ops with Santa, catch one of the holiday movie nights at the Opera House, or enjoy brunch with Santa on Christmas Eve.
Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, California
Holidays around Big Bear Lake make for a white Christmas that most Southern Californians don’t typically experience. Say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Village at Christmas Tree Corner or catch Santa on the slopes or around Big Bear throughout December. If you’re in Big Bear in mid-December, check out the Christkindlmarkt at Big Bear Lake Convention Center to celebrate the holidays with long-standing German traditions. After the sun goes down, ride under the stars at Snow Summit until 8:30 p.m, or fly down a long, sloped hill on a tube at Big Bear Snow Play. For a real Big Bear adventure, head to Big Bear Snow Play at night for a thrilling nighttime glow tubing ride. Other holiday events include the Annual Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration in the Village, hosted by the Chabad of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear.
» View Bear Mountain Holiday Lodging Options
Tremblant, Montreal, Canada
Few places do the holidays as big as Mont-Tremblant. Take in the Christmas spirit with holiday fairs, craft workshops, caroling, ice sculpting demonstrations, visits with Santa, and much more. By night take in the holiday decorations and twinkling lights of Tremblant as you stroll from shop to shop and cozy up at live restaurants and bars. Don’t miss Saint Nick on Christmas Day itself, when Santa parades up the rue des Remparts to reach the Place Saint-Bernard.
A unique way for families to enjoy Tremblant is the Brind O’ Aquaclub water park, which is open to the public throughout the holidays. The aquatic complex is the perfect place to bring children and teenagers to play on its 4 waterslides, play 35 interactive water games, and enjoy its hot tub.
» Check out lodging options at Tremblant.
Header image: ©Sun Valley Resort
December 26, 2024
