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The winter holiday season has become synonymous with skiing and snowboarding, making it a great time for families to spend quality time together while enjoying some early-season turns. Not to mention it’s when ski resorts and ski towns hold some of their most unique events of the season. However, there can be a few downsides to spending the holidays at ski resorts. During the holiday season, ski towns fill up, and if you don’t act early, you may not find any available rooms. Pro tip: Book your ski accommodations for Christmas before the season starts. Other important considerations include getting dinner reservations booked as early as possible, especially for those sought after Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners.
Nevertheless, 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 that pulls out all the stops for 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 much more. Take in the magic of the Village at Spruce Peak, enjoy complimentary access to Spruce Peak Village’s ice skating rink (rentals available for a fee), cozy up fireside for s’mores and hot chocolate, and check out any number of great holiday events. Don’t miss the Spruce Peak Lights Festival in mid-December.
» View Stowe Holiday Lodging Options
Big Sky, Montana
The festivities kick off early in December at Big Sky. Start the holiday season with the Big Sky Christmas Stroll, happening December 12-14. 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. Festivities continue on Christmas Eve with a whole lineup 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 schedule of Christmas events here.
» View Big Sky Holiday Lodging Options
Park City and Deer Valley, Utah
The holiday season gets going in Park City at the giant tree lighting ceremony at Canyons Village. And that’s just the start. The days that follow see tons of fun holiday activities and events in the area, including Heber Valley’s North Pole Express (get tickets before they sell out) and the annual Electric Parade down Main Street. 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 throughout the month of December.
Over at Deer Valley Resort, Montage Deer Valley’s Christmas activities include Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, and a Christmas Eve reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Santa. Additionally, kids have the opportunity to decorate cookies and write a letter to Santa. Santa also comes to a couple of Deer Valley lodges on Christmas Eve for photos with kids.
» View Deer Valley Holiday Lodging Options
Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta
Visit the spectacularly decorated Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and ski at Lake Louise Ski Resort for an iconic holiday experience in Canada. Popular events include the torchlight dinner and ski event, while unique experiences abound, like horse-drawn sleigh rides along the edge of Lake Louise. Fun 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 or an ugly sweater party on Friday. On Saturday morning, enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Grand Adirondack Hotel. 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, including Crystal Mountain, which 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 before enjoying 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. You’ll find everything from Sun Valley carolers strolling the European-style holiday market 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
The holiday season 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. Check out the Christkindlmarkt at Big Bear Lake Convention Center in mid-December 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 in Canada 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 restaurants and bars. Don’t miss Saint Nick on Christmas Eve, when he parades up the Place des Voyageurs 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 slide down its 4 waterslides, play 35 interactive water games, and enjoy the hot tub.
» Check out lodging options at Tremblant
Header image: ©Sun Valley Resort
December 08, 2025
