We’ll let you in on a little secret. Thanksgiving Day is one of our favorite days to ski all year. Lift tickets are cheap, the slopes are uncrowded, and if you’re lucky, you may even score a powder day. Bonus: You can avoid kitchen stress in your ski cabin by dining out for traditional holiday meals. Plus, this is when many ski resorts kick off their holiday season with fun events like tree lightings, fireworks, and more. It’s a heck of a way to kick off the ski season.
Generally speaking, mid- to late-November is considered the start of the North America ski season. Ski resorts have begun to open, though typically with limited terrain. So while Thanksgiving weekend doesn’t boast the skiing and riding you’ll find during the heart of winter, it makes for a great way to ring in the ski season. Your legs could use the warm-up anyways. It’s these first few weeks of the ski season when you’re also likely to see some of the biggest discounts on lift tickets and lodging. Bonus: Mother Nature can sometimes bring Thanksgiving surprises to the mountains.
Note: Meteorologist Chris Tomer is back for twice-weekly snow forecasts. Check the Thanksgiving forecast ahead of your ski trip here.
Here are some good choices for skiing Thanksgiving weekend.
Where To Ski Thanksgiving Weekend
Lake Louise and Sunshine Village
Head north to Banff for early holiday snow, where it’s business as usual, since Canada celebrates their Thanksgiving in October. Lake Louise and Sunshine should be open and waiting for you in early November. Lake Louise gives skiers and riders access to 4,200 skiable acres and 3,251 vertical feet of drop, while Sunshine Village is Canada’s highest elevation resort, with Sunshine Mountain Lodge located at 7,200 feet. It boasts 3,300 skiable acres and 3,510 feet of vertical.
Off the snow, soak in hot springs, twirl on ice skates, take in the views on the Banff Gondola, and go holiday shopping in downtown Banff. Bonus: You’ll find a lot of great restaurants in Banff to satisfy your cravings for a hearty holiday meal.
» View Lake Louise Lodging Options & Sunshine Village Lodging Options
Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley plans to open for skiing and riding on Thanksgiving Day, making it a great choice for ringing in the ski season. America’s first destination ski resort, Sun Valley is known for its Western flair and European style, while boasting 2,054 skiable acres and 3,400 feet of vertical drop. Off the slopes, stroll through galleries rich in artistic ambiance, catch a movie, hit the bowling alley, or play virtual golf at the nordic center. For a true holiday feast, the Limelight room at Sun Valley Resort will host a full Thanksgiving Buffet from 3-9 p.m. — reservations required. Good bets for other dinner options (with a reservation) are at The Ram, Galena Lodge, and Grill at Nob Hill, many of which have special Thanksgiving menus.
» View Sun Valley Lodging Options
Big Sky, Montana
There’s so much room, 5,800 acres, at Big Sky that even with modest terrain for Thanksgiving weekend, there will be plenty of snow-covered slopes for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Big Sky has historically opened on Thanksgiving Day, but more recently has started opening on the day prior. For a great Thanksgiving Day dinner, look no further than the Horn & Cattle on Lone Mountain Ranch. Other fine dining choices include WOM (Word of Mouth) and Olive B’s Big Sky Bistro. Remember those reservations.
» View Big Sky Lodging Options
Copper Mountain, Colorado
Copper Mountain, which opened in early November, should have quite a bit of its base level 2,500-plus acres of terrain open by Thanksgiving. There will be a host of family-friendly activities to enjoy across Copper Mountain over Thanksgiving weekend. Enjoy free hot chocolate, a live DJ, and the first fireworks show of the season at the Eagle’s Landing in Center Village. In the giving spirit, Copper also organizes a food and coat drive to benefit local areas in need. Guests who donate more than three items will receive a ceramic Copper mug as a token of appreciation.
» View Copper Mountain Lodging Options
Crystal Mountain, Washington
The Pacific Northwest is often a good bet for early-season turns, and few resorts are a better choice than Crystal Mountain, which is Washington state’s largest ski area. While the entire 2,200 acres of Crystal Mountain won’t be accessible, there’s plenty of terrain to warm up your legs for the ski season. For a great meal, with equally great views, take the Mount Rainier Gondola up 2,500 feet to the Summit House Restaurant to dine above the clouds at 6,872 feet. If you’re lucky, and it’s a clear day, you can enjoy expansive views of the Cascade Range and Mount Rainier.
» View Crystal Mountain Lodging Options
Stratton, Vermont
Scheduled to open the day before Thanksgiving, Stratton Resort is the perfect family-friendly spot to enjoy the holiday away from home. Stratton will have a host of opening day festivities that you won’t just find at any ski destination, like the annual Gobble Gobble Wobble 5K run, held every year in the Stratton Village on Thanksgiving morning. Advanced registration is required, while families can sign up as a group to get the whole crew moving before the big evening feast. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume and to the youngest and oldest runners. Guests can settle in for a traditional dinner at Table 43.1 after finishing the 5K. Reservations are required for the 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. seating.
» View Stratton Lodging Options
Killington, Vermont
Killington, the aptly named Beast of the East, likes to muse that “winter is here when we say so.” Nightly temperatures are often dipping down to the 30s around mid-October at Killington to allow for snowmaking while some parts of the country are still seeing summer-like weather. This year Killington is planning on a mid-November start to welcome skiers and riders. Ski racing fans can enjoy the event of the season as The Stifel Killington Cup returns for another year. The Killington Cup races include a Giant Slalom that will be held over Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. The races draw between 30,000-40,000 fans to Vermont. Killington will also host its 13th annual Turkey Trot starting at 9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Pickle Barrel.
» View Killington Lodging Options
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Thanksgiving has already come and gone in Canada when Americans get around to it, but Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia has you covered as it plans to open for skiing and riding just before Thanksgiving. Enjoy traditional Thanksgiving dining, a plethora of activities, family-friendly entertainment, and shopping on the Village Stroll. For a fine dining Thanksgiving dinner at its best, make your reservations at Araxi’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Elsewhere, the Braidwood Tavern serves up brunch, lunch, dinner, and turkey to go.
» View Whistler Blackcomb Lodging Options
U.S. Resort Projected Opening Dates
Header: ©Sun Valley Resort
January 01, 2025
