A Christmas Ski Vacation

If hitting the slopes is your favorite way to enjoy winter, why not spend Christmas at a ski lodge? Many ski resorts throughout the U.S. provide old-fashioned Christmas celebrations.

Colorado
Winter Park Ski Resort in Colorado celebrates with caroling next to a Christmas bonfire. The climax of the night is a single-file procession of skiers who create beautiful patters while carrying lit torches. No Christmas would be complete without an appearance by Santa, and at Winter Park a skiing Santa is followed by lighted snow cats that make formations as they proceed.

Also located in Colorado, Breckenridge offers Holipalooza at Christmas. One of the wonderful aspects of this beautiful lodge located in the Rocky Mountains is that plenty of nightlife, restaurants, and shopping are conveniently nearby. Some of the winter activities Breckenridge offers include fly fishing, dog-sledding, museums, hot air balloon rides, ice skating, parades, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, snowshoeing, and more. If you aren’t big on the outdoors, spend your day being pampered at the Grand Victorian Day Spa and Salon. Holipalooza features competitions to watch as well as an old fashioned holiday. It all begins with the Lighting of Breckenridge, which includes caroling, hot chocolate, visits from Santa, and the lighting of the town tree. Because the town has lots of history, the holidays at Breckenridge mix modern entertainment with Victorian tradition.

West Virginia
Snowshoe Mountain in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia offers a plethora of Christmas activities. In addition to skiing, guests can go caroling in the Village (a mountain community with restaurants and shops), attend special parties, and see live entertainment. Kid-specific events include skiing and snowboarding with Santa, Christmas craft workshops, and parties with gifts and candy. While you’re there stop by Split Rock Pools, an indoor aqua center with waterslides for kids and a sauna and hot tub for parents. There is also a spa where non-skiers can enjoy the vacation. The Village even has a few night spots with free shuttles to all area accommodations.

British Columbia
You can also head north to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Whistler, British Columbia, where the facilities far exceed a ski resort. Some of the services the hotel offers are children’s bedtime stories, Christmas trees, and decorating packages to make yourself feel at home in a hotel room, as well as sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowmobiling, sightseeing, gift wrapping, gingerbread decorating classes for children, a visit from Santa, Christmas caroling, a Christmas Day brunch, family portraits, the Dickens Buffet Dinner & Dance, a chef’s parade, and more.