This time of year is overwhelming. We get it. While the idea of skiing over the holidays is enticing, it can be a gamble to figure out where to go. And with so many paid promotions, how can you tell what’s true in this wild world anymore? Fear not reader, for we have you covered! This is our unbiased collection of destinations across North America where we think you’ll have the most fun this holiday season. No dollar signs here. We’re serious, these resorts didn’t pay anything. We just thought you’d like to know where we would go if we were in your shoes.
Behold the FREESKIER-approved best destinations to ski this holiday season. These are places where you can go to find good times and clean turns over the next few weeks. We picked our favorites for each of the following three regions: East Coast, Central Rockies and Pacific Northwest. We based these choices on their accessibility, base depth, forecast and upcoming events at the resort. Don’t forget to check out our ‘Hail Merry’ destinations if you’re really looking to chase the deepest snow on the planet.
We utilized Open Snow wherever applicable for snow information and data, and we recommend you do to! Trusted by casual skiers and industry pros alike, Open Snow is easy to use for snow info around the world.
East Coast
Despite recent rainy weather, the forecast is looking better for our friends out East. All the resorts below are back to full-scale snow making and have plenty of lifts and runs open. Terrain parks and groomers are firing along the Atlantic coast. Ski the East baby!
Stowe, VT
Base Depth: 30″
Forecast: 8-10″ storm is forecasted to hit around December 28.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, December 22 – Wednesday, December 27 – Stay & aprés free live music. Food and drink are available.
Friday, December 22 – Glow Skate Party with a live DJ, ice skating and light show.
Sunday, December 31 – Annual New Year’s Eve party at Spruce Peak Village.
Sugarbush, VT
Base Depth: 37″
Forecast: Sugarbush rejoice! Snowmaking is back, temps are cooling. 7″ projected around December 27.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, December 22 – Live aprés music and drinks.
Saturday, December 23 – Blizzard Boogie: DJ Patrick Quimby + Kind Bud Christmas caroling.
Friday, December 29 & Saturday, December 30 – Resort-wide live music aprés part.
Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve party, fireworks and torchlight parade.
Cannon Mountain, NH
Base Depth: 24″ (32″ at the summit)
Forecast: Temps look stable for the next few days. 8-10″ storm is projected to hit December 28.
Upcoming Events:
Every Wednesday – NH residents ride for $45 every Wednesday.
Wednesday, December 27 & Thursday, 12/28 – Live aprés music from Rob Violla with drinks in the Cannonball Pub.
Friday, December 29 – Kenny Memorial Slalom Race.
Saturday, December 30 – Live aprés music with The Dog Fathers.
Central Rockies
Snow levels are varied across the US interior, but for the most part, mountains are consistently opening up more and more terrain. Alta, UT, leads the lower 48 in most snowfall this season. These resorts have lifts spinning, plenty of open terrain and a surefire list of great events on the horizon. Plus, the forecast calls for lower temps and snow all around over the next two weeks.
Alta, UT
Base Depth: 55″
Forecast: Temps staying between 15 and 30 degrees. Light snow this weekend (December 23) with moisture returning on December 29.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, December 23 – Ski with Santa on Christmas Eve day.
Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve torchlight parade and fireworks.
Steamboat, CO
Base Depth: 42″
Forecast: Cold temps and consistent snow are projected for December 23 through 26. Powder on Christmas in da Boat!
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve fireworks and light-up snowcat parade.
Sunday, December 31 – Korbel New Year’s Eve 80s-themed party with a live band.
Base Depth: 20″
Forecast: Temps should stay mild, with 6″ projected for this weekend (December 23) and more snow around New Year’s. It’s a party in the Treasure State.
Upcoming Events:
Fridays through Sundays – Aprés party in the plaza with live DJs.
Sunday, December 24 – Christmas Eve torchlight parade and fireworks.
Monday, December 25 – Skiing with Santa.
Sunday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve celebrations. Party, dinner, fireworks and more.
Jackson Hole, WY
Base Depth: 37″ – 40″
Forecast: Scattered snow around Christmas and New Year’s. Temps hovering between 20 and 30 degrees. Should be a great time in the Tetons.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, December 16 through Sunday, December 31 – Winter Fest, featuring activities and parties for the whole fam.
Sunday, December 24 – Skiing with Santa.
Sunday, December 31 – Torchlight parade, fireworks and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Pacific North West
The PNW has been a tossup thus far, with some bigger storms followed by precipitation and dry spells. If you’re headed this way, these two destinations are a must. Both Whistler Blackcomb and Mount Hood Meadows have snow in the forecast, with Whistler getting ready for a BIG week of snow. Like nearly everywhere in Washington and Oregon, Mount Hood is continuing to monitor conditions. But with two terrain parks and six lifts spinning, if you time it right, it will be as good of a time as any.
Base Depth: 30″
Forecast: A bit of snow this weekend (December 22) with the faucet turning ON next week. Over a foot and a half is projected for Christmas Day and Tuesday, December 26. Ask Santa for some Timbits and a snorkel, eh?
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, December 28 through Saturday, December 30 – Whistler Blackcomb’s Regional Junior Freeride Challenge.
Sunday, December 31 – Whistler Blackcomb Fire & Ice New Year’s celebration.
Mount Hood Meadows, OR
Base Depth: 30″
Forecast: Temps should drop this week with scattered snow continuing through New Year’s. Your best chance for a good storm is December 28 – 31.
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, December 27 – Beer tasting, coat drive and ON3P raffle.
Wednesday, December 27 through Sunday, December 31 – Aprés with live music and drinks.
Sunday, December 31 – Pop-up beer tasting.
Hail Merry Destinations
At the buzzer, let it fly! These are our Hail Merry destinations for the 2023 holiday season. Insane snow and world-class destinations. That’s the name of the game. If you’re willing it drop everything and chase the powder, these are the spots you should consider blasting to.
Base Depth: 92″
Forecast: 20″ projected for Christmas Eve Day with more scattered around. Possibly a 30″ Christmas weekend for the Alaskan freeride gem!
Upcoming Events:
Live music on December 23, 29 and 30, great parties, plus SNOW. A SH*T TON OF SNOW.
Literally Anywhere in the Austrian Alps
Base Depth: Very deep. Be mindful of persistent weak layers and monitor local avalanche conditions.
Forecast: Pretty much bottomless (72″ projected December 21 through 30) !!! Much of Europe, from Italy to Switzerland, has been seeing stellar snow. Now, most of the Austrian Alps are about to get nuked on once again. Get there if you can. Be safe with so much fresh snow.
Silverton Heli Ski Guides, Alaska
Base Depth: It’s Alaska. Take your best guess.
Forecast: This is staggering. Open Snow reports that the Girdwood/Chugach location of Silverton Heli Guides AK should receive around 135″ of snow between December 21 and 29. *gulp*
Upcoming Events:
Snow. A scary amount of snow. This certainly is not unprecedented for AK, but it’s still always wild to see. The team has 2024 dates available for booking now, so act quickly. This is one of the best operations in the world.
