Share this
While the North America ski season is just getting underway in December, there’s no better way to close out the year than by taking in the holiday vibe and New Year’s Eve celebrations in ski towns. It’s also a great time to dust off your boots, wax your skis or board, and get in some warm-up laps before the heart of the ski season. Continue reading for our list of the best ski towns in North America for New Year’s Eve celebrations. For more inspiration, see our companion article here, featuring the best New Year’s Eve fireworks shows at ski resorts.
The Best Ski Towns for New Year’s Eve
Telluride, Colorado
Make sure you’re outside in Telluride around 6:25 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Look to the top of the mountain for flashing red lights, as Telluride’s ski patrol, carrying blazing torches, take a run down into Mountain Village for this longstanding holiday tradition. Given the incredible views in this little mountain town, the show can be seen from just about any location in downtown Telluride. Stick around, and shortly after, you’ll be able to catch the Mountain Village fireworks show, best viewed from the Gondola or the plaza in the Village Core.
Colorado Avenue is the place to be at midnight on New Year’s Eve in front of the historic courthouse. Locals and guests alike flood Main Street to celebrate on New Year’s Eve, Telluride style. New Year’s Eve also sees live music all over town, including a performance by DJ Harry at the town’s Swede-Finn Hall. Tickets for the show, beginning at 9 p.m., are $55.
» Check out Telluride lodging options
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is known for more than its challenging terrain and Western vibes — it also throws a killer party to end the year. Each year, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and the Teton Village Association put on Winterfest, a 10-day holiday celebration full of activities, including skating, digital planetarium workshops, cookie decorating, movie nights, scavenger hunts, and more. Jackson Hole has a full day of New Year’s Eve events, including the Glow Worm Parade, when kids can enjoy their own torchlight parade, except with glow sticks rather than torchlights. Kids are invited to meet at the base of the Sweetwater Gondola at 4:30 p.m. and ride to Solitude Station, where it begins. Participation is free and parents are welcome to join. A more traditional Torchlight Parade will kick off at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks in the same spot.
» Check out Jackson Hole lodging options
Park City, Utah
Park City Mountain celebrates New Year’s Eve in Canyons Village with a day of live music, fireworks, and family fun. Park City’s other ski resort, Deer Valley Resort, hosts its annual Torchlight Parade starting at 6 p.m. on Big Stick run. There’s also complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, and cider at Deer Valley’s Snow Park Plaza from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Elsewhere, the Park City Ice Arena offers public skating sessions during the day on December 30 and 31. Families can enjoy more activities and events in the heart of Canyons Village at Pendry Park City’s New Year’s Eve Kid’s Night Out. Children are invited to participate in a dance party, crafts, karaoke, group games, painting, and much more. A kid’s buffet will be available for snacking and dinner, with a movie showing at the end of the night. Parents meanwhile can take in some adult fun at Pendry’s Pool House Party beginning at noon and enjoy food, drinks, and music at the Apres Pendry from 6:00-12:30 a.m.
On Main Street you’ll find plenty of New Year’s Eve parties and special menus at local Park City restaurants and bars. Check out Park City Area Restaurant Association’s event calendar as December 31 approaches. Many Park City restaurants and bars will be hosting New Year’s Eve parties, such as Riverhorse On Main’s annual New Year’s Eve Bash. This party, featuring a unique curated multi-course meal to close out the year in luxurious style, is held at one of the oldest and most distinguished restaurants in Park City.
» Check out Park City lodging options
Stowe, Vermont
Few places do end-of-year celebrations like Stowe. Spruce Peak Village is the place to be on New Year’s Eve, with complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, ice dancing performances, live music, and fireworks at 7 p.m. Then go on a pub crawl and hit up a few Stowe breweries before kicking back at the Trapp Family Lodge’s Austrian-style Bierhall. Enjoy their hearty Austrian cuisine, paired with, of course, some tasty beer. Live music and entertainment will also be happening all over the town of Stowe on New Year’s Eve. Head to any number of Stowe restaurants and bars that’ll be throwing their own parties.
» Check out Stowe lodging options
Snow Summit, California
The spectacle of the annual New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade shimmering off Big Bear Lake is something that Californians look forward to year after year. Celebrations this year kick off at 6 p.m. with live music. The Torchlight Parade starts at 9 p.m. with an impressive light display showing off the skills and talents of skiers and snowboarders. Winding down the Miracle Mile trail, more than 200 participants carry torches to form a path of light that can be seen around the lake from miles away. Afterward, head to any number of fun bars in Big Bear to ring in the new year.
» Check out Snow Summit lodging options
Whistler, British Columbia
Dress warm, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and take in all of Whistler’s great live entertainment, including ski and snowboard big air displays, fire spinners, live DJs, and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Don’t miss the New Year’s Eve Luminosity Parade at 8 p.m., complete with LED-clad dancers, stilt walkers, and jugglers accompanied by vibey music. The parade will run from the Whistler Conference Centre to Skier’s Plaza on the Whistler Village Stroll. Stick around for the Fire and Ice Show, beginning at 8:30 p.m., featuring an over-the-top display of pyrotechnics, music, live entertainment, and freestyle skiing and riding from the Whistler Blackcomb Snow School pros. Fireworks will follow at 9 p.m.
» Check out Whistler lodging options
Sun Peaks, British Columbia
Don’t sleep on some of Canada’s lesser-known ski resorts, like Sun Peaks, for New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve festivities at Sun Peaks includes activities for kids, like the glow stick parade, which kids can actually take part in. They just must be able to ski or ride from lower Rambler to lower Sundance with confidence. A valid lift ticket for Dec. 31 is required. Additionally, strong blue terrain skiers or riders 16 and up can participate in the torchlight parade. A live DJ will hype up the crowd at 6 p.m. for the Freestyle Invitation, happening at 6:30 p.m., which features local shredders showing off their skills on a custom-built, tricked-out trail. The evening culminates with fireworks on the Sunburst side of the resort at 8:30 p.m.
» Check out lodging options at Sun Peaks
Sun Valley, Idaho
America’s first destination ski resort is a fitting place to ring in the new year. Headlining New Year’s Eve at Sun Valley Resort is the annual New Year’s Eve Snow Ball featuring an evening of glitz, glitter, bubbles, and bites. Guests are encouraged to get all dolled up in their most glamorous attire and celebrate at the River Run Lodge at Bald Mountain from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Complimentary champagne will be served from 9 to 10 p.m., along with appetizers and other bites in preparation for the toast at midnight. A live DJ will set the mood throughout the night, while guests will have the chance to dance, drink, enjoy the photo booth, and more right at the mountain’s base.
For a more family-friendly New Year’s Eve in Sun Valley, hit the slopes for some evening turns before enjoying music under the stars and fireworks at 9 p.m.
» Check out Sun Valley lodging options
South Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California
Fire, lights, and music fill the air on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore for New Year’s Eve. Live music typically begins around 4 p.m. and continues throughout the evening until the midnight Ball Drop in New York City’s Times Square. It’s then that Heavenly Resort hosts ‘the world’s only Gondola Ball Drop,’ which crosses above the crowd. The night culminates with what resort officials call “the most spectacular fireworks display that has ever hit the Heavenly Village.” The party continues into the night at a number of casino nightclubs in Stateline. Additionally, check restaurant and bar websites for their own unique New Year’s Eve parties.
» Check out South Lake Tahoe lodging options
Aspen, Colorado
There’s nothing quite like New Year’s Eve in Aspen, Colorado, where high-end après-ski is what it’s known for. Get the party started at the Sister Cities Plaza, from 12 to 3 p.m., warming up by the crackling fire, enjoying s’mores and hot chocolate, and listening to a DJ. For those with kids, check out the public ice skating at the Aspen Ice Garden from 3 to 6 p.m., with free admission and rentals for guests. After hitting a few activities in town, catch a fireworks show above Aspen Mountain at 8 p.m. Element 47, located inside The Little Nell, and Plato’s, located at Aspen Meadows, are among the Aspen restaurants hosting New Year’s Eve dinners.
If you’re looking to hit the late-night scene, plan ahead and reserve your tickets. The Dom Perignon Party at The Little Nell invites guests to get inspired by the glitz and glam of the legendary New York City nightclub experience. Don your best disco attire for a multi-level party starting at 10 p.m., or head to Hotel Jerome’s NYE Supper Club for an evening of food, drinks, and live music.
» Check out Aspen lodging options
Sugarloaf, Maine
It’s Christmas Vacation Week at Sugarloaf for the entire last week of December leading up to New Year’s Eve. Non-stop activities and entertainment happen throughout the week, including live music, film screenings, and more. Enjoy tons of fun, family-friendly events on New Year’s Eve at Sugarloaf. Don’t miss the fireworks starting at 9 p.m. on the Landing. Afterward, catch live music at Sugarloaf’s famous bar, the Widowmaker. Tickets for the show (21+ only) include a champagne toast at midnight and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
» Check out Sugarloaf lodging options
Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont
Smugglers’ Notch offers a whole host of activities for guests during the last week of the year. Festivities start on Monday, December 30, with a welcome bonfire and complimentary hot chocolate. Afterward, enjoy Bingo Blast and a ‘Price is Right’ spinoff game with Jammin’ Sam at the lower level of the Meeting House. The following day, Smuggs’ hosts a unique glow tubing experience, in which visitors can tube down lanes full of glowing LED lights on Sir Henry Hill. Next up is a Friendly Pirate Party from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., full of festive singing and dancing. It all culminates at 9 p.m. for a full fireworks display at the Gazebo followed by a Musical Time Machine party back at the Meeting House. Once the kids go to bed, there’s 21+ adult karaoke at Bootleggers’ Lounge until the ball drops at midnight.
» Check out Smugglers’ Notch lodging options
Header image: ©Park City / Vail Resorts
December 08, 2025
