Embrace seasonal splendors at these top ski retreats.
Holiday magic is built into a winter ski vacation. No matter which ski resort you call home for the holiday season, you’ll enjoy a lively seasonal ambiance to go with your snowfall, evergreens and hot cocoa by the fire. However, some U.S. ski resorts certainly celebrate the holidays more than others with festive parties, sleigh rides and fireworks displays. Here are five great places to ski this season that maximize holiday cheer.
Squaw Valley Ski Resort
Lake Tahoe, California
During the holiday season Lake Tahoe‘s biggest ski resort, Squaw Valley, located in the charming Village at Squaw Valley, will feature decked-out storefronts with with vignettes from Christmases past. Free and ticketed events go through New Year’s Day, including holiday parties, horse drawn sleigh rides, storytelling with Santa and farm-to-table dinners. Look for musical performances and entertainment from the Utah Ballroom Dance Company, Truckee Dance Factory, Silver Dollar Chorus, the Reno Jazz Orchestra and the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
Keystone Resort
Dillon, Colorado
Keystone’s Kidtopia offers festive events all winter long, including weekend parades and fireworks. But the property outshines competitors during the holidays with family cookie-decorating and Santa meet-and-greet events. New this year, Kidtopia added the Mountaintop Spectacular, which includes free tubing, snowball launches and the lighting of the mountaintop snow fort. Plus, a chocolate village is on display all season at the Keystone Lodge & Spa, and families can take a turn on the ice skating rink or take a horse drawn sleigh ride after getting off the slopes.
Deer Valley Resort
Park City, Utah
Families can always expect to be pampered at Deer Valley, but this Utah resort takes luxury up a notch during the holiday season. Santa and his elves will be on the slopes, shredding it up, and Deer Valley’s annual Torchlight Parade takes place Friday, Dec. 30, at dusk at approximately 6 p.m. During the parade, the resort’s renowned ski school will dazzle guests with torches, synchronized skiing and incredible illuminating moves. And when you and the gang need to warm up, a meal at Fireside Dining will put the color back in your cheeks.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Jeffersonville, Vermont
Smugglers’ Notch Resort (or ‘Smuggs’ to locals) contributes to the holiday magic of the season with enticing deals for parents. Winter packages include lodging in family-friendly accommodations, lift tickets and some kid’s club activities. Plus, kids programming is available every day between Christmas and New Year’s Day, including dance parties, movie nights and reindeer games. Seasonal fireworks and bonfires with Santa round out a memorable winter ski vacation.
Stowe Mountain Lodge
Stowe, Vermont
The holidays at Stowe may be a bit more understated than other ski retreats, with more fine dining options than parades or Santa sightings (not that you can’t find both). Highlights include sampling Vermont cheeses and chocolates, snowshoeing by moonlight and soaking in the spa. Check out homemade candy cane demonstrations and holiday wine tastings when off the slopes, or take the kids to enjoy the traditional holiday decor throughout the lodge.
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5 U.S. Ski Resorts With Holiday Cheer originally appeared on usnews.com
