Here are a few secrets about skiing and riding during the Thanksgiving holiday: Turkey day tends to be light on crowds at many ski resorts. November isn’t peak season, so resorts offer reduced lodging rates. You can avoid kitchen stress by dining out on traditional holiday meals. Sure, the fledgling snowpack may rely on heavy snowmaking for groomer skiing, but most skiers’ legs could use the warmup. However, if pre-season snow totals are big, Thanksgiving skiers may be stuffing their faces with more powder than turkey.
See the below list of North American ski resorts and find your best bet for skiing and riding during the 2019 Thanksgiving holiday.
1&2. Lake Louise & Sunshine Village
Head north to Banff for early holiday snow this season. Lake Louise gives skiers and riders access to 4,200 skiable acres and 3,251 vertical feet of drop. They're already open and are enjoying 26cm (10 in) of new snow in the last 3 days.
Sunshine Village, Canada’s highest elevated resort, is another option for Banff skiers and encompasses more than 3,300 skiable acres. Off the snow, soak in hot springs, twirl on ice skates, sightsee on the Banff Gondola and Christmas shop downtown. If you're looking to fly into Banff, you'll find many direct flights into Calgary International Airport; from there, Banff is within a 90-minute drive.
3. Sun Valley Resort
November 26, 2020 marks the opening of Sun Valley Resort. Depending on early-season conditions, expect to find at least two open lifts on Dollar Mountain and four to five open lifts on Bald Mountain.
Sun Valley is known for its western flair and European styling. The resort offers 2,054 skiable acres and 3,400 feet of vertical drop. Grab a plate and enjoy live music and plenty of food at the annual Thanksgiving Buffet, located at the Sun Valley Inn. Off the slopes, stroll through galleries rich in artistic ambiance, catch a movie or play virtual golf at the Nordic center.
