The Best Ski Resorts for New Year’s Eve Fireworks

New Year’s Eve is a time for celebrations, cool events, and, of course, fireworks. And some of the best New Year’s Eve events and fireworks happen at ski resorts, where the last few hours of the year are marked by torchlight parades, electric light displays, fireworks, and more fun events. Below we’ve listed some of the best ski resorts for New Year’s Eve fireworks. For more New Year’s Eve inspiration, check out our companion article featuring some of the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in ski towns.

Best North America Ski Resorts for New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Whistler Village rolls out the red carpet for New Year’s Eve with live music, a great lineup of entertainment, kids’ activities, and of course, a grand fireworks display. Don’t miss the Luminosity Parade at 7:45 p.m. and a special edition of the Fire & Ice Show at 8:30 p.m. before the stunning fireworks display at 9 p.m. After you put the kids to bed, come back for the midnight fireworks show. Tip: The fireworks are best viewed from Skier’s Plaza.

» Check out Whistler Lodging Options

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Start your New Year’s Eve off in and around Jackson Hole by watching the mountain torchlight parades at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain, or further afield at Grand Targhee. Each parade is followed by a fireworks display. Additionally, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village hosts a Glow Worm Parade at 5:30 p.m. Children up to age 14 can participate by loading onto the Sweetwater Gondola at 4:3o p.m. Glow sticks substitute for torchlights as the kids traverse down the Eagle’s Nest run. Resort employees and guests participate in a traditional torchlight procession at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks at 7 p.m. over the Village’s parking lot.

» Check out Jackson Hole lodging options

Sunday River, Maine

Ski all day and night at Sunday River before ending the year with a bang. Sunday River keeps the lifts spinning all day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Once you’re ready to call it a day on the slopes, head for après-ski at any number of great Sunday River spots. Then at 8:30 p.m. South Ridge will be illuminated by a fantastic fireworks display. The party goes on with live music at the Foggy Goggle and a DJ set at the Iglu, Sunday River’s slopeside ice lounge.

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Heavenly, California

South Lake Tahoe, right on the California-Nevada border, does it big for New Year’s Eve. Live music takes the stage at Heavenly Village and throughout South Lake Tahoe and Stateline starting early in the day. Then at 9:00 p.m., coinciding with New York City’s midnight Ball Drop, Heavenly’s Gondola Ball Drop, the only gondola ball drop in the world, crosses above the crowd. Then a huge fireworks show lights up the sky. The partying continues late into the night at the casinos and nightclubs in Stateline.

» Check out lodging options at Heavenly Mountain

Solitude, Utah

Solitude Mountain’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration is the grand finale of their annual Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Show, which is completely free. The event features Solitude staff members skiing and snowboarding down the mountain as a synchronized, torch-lit team. Once the parade reaches the lower mountain near the Last Chance Lodge and Solitude Village, the evening culminates in a festive and spectacular fireworks display.

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Breckenridge, Colorado 

Breckenridge is full of activities for New Year’s Eve, including special dining events, torchlight fireworks parades, and, of course, fireworks. Grab a spot early and catch the traditional Torchlight Parade held on Peak 9 at 6 p.m., which follows the kid-centered Glow Worm Parade at 5 p.m. Headlining the night is the fireworks display, which will go off from the base of Peak 9 around 9:30 p.m. There are several recommended viewing areas including Blue River Plaza, North Gondola Parking Lot, the Base of Peaks 7, 8, or 9, Main Street Station, Ridge Street, Baldy Road, and Boreas Pass.

» Check out lodging options at Breckenridge