Montpelier, VT – The holidays in Vermont are nothing short of magical, and when spent at one of Vermont’s ski resorts they become beloved traditions for both families and friends.
Whether creating new holiday traditions or embracing lifelong ones, find out below what each Vermont ski resort has to offer for a holiday season on the hill this year:
Bolton Valley
Bolton Valley’s cozy base village will be trimmed in white lights for the holidays, creating a festive atmosphere for guests at the resort. In the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the mountain will be full of guests enjoying skiing, riding and daily family events. The Indoor Amusement Center will be open every day that week and free, family oriented events include a Magic Show and a Balloon Twister creating balloon sculptures. Skiers and riders will also have a chance to warm up around a campfire with complimentary hot cocoa and cookies or head inside for family movie night. Don’t miss the New Year’s Eve and 50th Anniversary Celebration Fireworks & Torchlight Parade at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 31.
Bromley Mountain Resort
Bromley looks forward to a festive holiday season, kicked off with a super Santa ski deal on December 25. Wear a red suit, beard, hat and a bowl full of jelly belly on December, 25 and ski or ride all day for $25. Got kids? In addition to great ski and snowboard programs during the day, Bromley will have the Kids Lounge ready for entertaining the most important young guests. Video games, Vew-Do boards and an indoor Riglet Park are just a few of the nightly activities scheduled from December 26 through January 2.
Burke Mountain Resort
It’s all-you-can-eat at Burke Mountain Resort this Thanksgiving with their buffet at Willoughby’s Restaurant. The dinner is reservation only and runs from noon until 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 24.
Jay Peak Resort
Jay Peak’s holiday lineup includes a lineup of things that mess with your brain, whether it’s the Tower Bar’s Trivia Contest on Tuesday, December 27, the tour of the Kingdom Brewing Company’s brewery on Thursday, December 29, or the fireworks and party into the small hours of New Year’s Eve.
Killington Resort
During Thanksgiving Weekend, Killington will have World Cup fever, hosting the fastest female alpine ski racers in the world as they compete in slalom and giant slalom events on Superstar. Visitors can also expect movie premiers, athlete autograph signings, a free concert by O.A.R. and much more from November 24-27 in Killington. Entry to the World Cup festival village and finish line spectator area is completely free.
During December, the Killington Grand Resort Hotel will also host the Vermont Holiday Festival to benefit the Vermont Foodbank, featuring hundreds of uniquely designed evergreen trees, Santa’s Workshop for kids and free sleigh rides.
Mad River Glen
Kick off winter with Mad River Glen’s Ski Season Launch party on December 10. Things will get started with an appearance from Santa Claus himself and kids will have the opportunity to sit with St. Nick’s on the Single Chair from 3-5 p.m. Then folks can enjoy dinner and libations in General Stark’s Pub. The evening will climax with a performance by The Grift, MRG’s favorite après ski band. Next up, join Mad River Glen in their New Year’s Family Celebration in the Basebox on December 31 from 6:30-10:30 p.m.
Magic Mountain
There’s nothing like getting a deal after paying for all those Christmas and Hannukah gifts. The White Out Pass gives pass holders access to all the holiday periods, including Christmas week, for only $199 if purchased in November and still just $239 if bought in December. That’s 19 days of skiing for a little over $10 a day. Already have a pass to another great Vermont resort? Magic gives $10 off the regular tickets just by showing a Vermont resort season pass.
Middlebury College Snow Bowl
Nestled in the Green Mountains of central Vermont, the Middlebury Snow Bowl invites guests to enjoy the holiday week at their family friendly mountain. With 17 trails, three lifts, boundary-to-boundary acres of exploration and a free Discovery Zone for beginners, the Snow Bowl has everything needed for winter fun. The Snow School offers a week-long package of five ski and snowboarding lessons for age five through adults. Provided by experienced instructors, a daily one hour clinic will guide students of all abilities around the mountain. Participants can then enjoy the slopes with a free half day afternoon ticket.
Mount Snow
Holidays at Mount Snow mean fun for the whole family. It all kicks off with a race to the summit at The Turkey Hangover Hillclimb on November 25 to help burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories, followed by a torchlight parade and fireworks on November 26 complete with family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Then, help Mount Snow light up the night on NYE with the annual bonfire, torchlight parade, and fireworks on December 31. Be sure not to miss Founders Day on December, 12 to celebrate the founding of Mount Snow with $12 lift tickets.
Okemo Mountain Resort
Feast on a farm-to-table buffet and then Trot It Off with a Saturday morning 5k this Thanksgiving Weekend at Okemo. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and ski with elves during the days leading up to Christmas. Ring in the New Year with a family focused evening of activities, a DJ dance party and fireworks show that ends early enough to get kids to bed so they can enjoy a full New Year’s Day on the slopes.
Quechee Ski Area
Ski Quechee is making a splash this holiday season with the newly renovated indoor Aquatics Complex. With members and guests planning their Christmas, the Quechee Club offers up family friendly recreational events both on and off the slopes. December kicks off the holidays with the opening of Ski Quechee on Saturday the 17th, followed by après-ski. Attend Family Trivia Night, Mobile Laser Tag or depart for a guided snowmobile tour. Keep it close to home with a starry skied snowshoe excursion on 15km of Nordic trails or attend an off-campus trip like dog sledding or a Vermont Brewery tour.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort
This year Smugglers’ Notch has package offerings for every holiday. Spend three nights or more as part of their Thanksgiving Package and get the next night of lodging free. In addition, save 15% with their multiple family discount. Take advantage of the Holiday Getaway package from December 9-25, stay four nights and receive the fifth free. Ring in the New Year at Smugglers’ with a night of family games, sliding parties and holiday cheer.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Enjoy savings and convenience every day, holidays included with Stowe ByPass. Simply sign-up for ByPass online at no charge and go direct to the lift every day you ski or ride. Add to that instantaneous savings of 15% by automatically paying the discounted ByPass rate, even during the holidays, the first time you’re scanned at the lift each day. The Evolution Stowe Card has replaced traditional tickets, using RFID technology for optimum convenience and value all throughout Stowe Mountain Resort.
Stratton Mountain Resort
This holiday season, Stratton is giving thanks to their elite snowmaking team, offering up the white carpet to kick off winter 2016-17. Carve turns before the turkey at Stratton’s annual Thanksgiving Day tradition – the Gobble Gobble Wobble 5K on November 24. December holiday happenings include live music, a visit from Santa and more. Ring in the New Year with slope-side fireworks display and a torchlight parade.
Sugarbush Resort
The whole family will find fun during the holidays at Sugarbush. Christmas week, enjoy everything from Gathering of the Groms and S’mores Cookout to the 7th Annual Dog Parade, book signings and Kids’ Cooking Class. Don’t miss the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display on New Year’s Eve, as well as live music all week long.
Suicide Six Ski Area and Woodstock Inn & Resort
The Woodstock Inn & Resort has a variety of package offerings this holiday season to relax everyone in the family. The Fall Back & Relax Spa Package includes a one night luxury stay with breakfast, spa credit and a bottle of wine upon arrival. Rates start at $289 midweek and $329 on weekends through Wednesday, December 22, 2016 excluding holiday periods. The Pre-Holiday Bed & Breakfast Package includes a one-night luxury stay with a hearty Vermont gourmet breakfast for two starting at $199 midweek and $239, also through Wednesday, December 22, 2016 excluding holiday periods. The Wassail Weekend Package includes festivities throughout the village like an equestrian parade, musical performances, home tours and more, along with luxury accommodations for two nights, a beautiful wassail candle and a delicious wassail feast Saturday evening.