Lake Placid, NY – Snow falling at resorts across the nation would make any North Pole resident proud. And Santa, that lucky guy, gets to ski for free (or at least a substantial discount) at several resorts this month.
Sunday River Resort in Maine got a head start on the holiday spirit this past weekend, with its 17th Annual Santa Sunday. In the name of charity, 180 skiing and snowboarding Santas rode the Barker Mountain Express to join together in an epic group schuss down the resort’s Ecstasy and Sunday Punch trails, raising some cheer and $2,845 for the Sunday River Community Fund (SRCF). Participants received a free lift ticket to use for the morning, as well as another lift ticket to use anytime before Dec. 16.
In the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, Whiteface Mountain is celebrating with Santas Ski Free Day this Sunday, Dec. 11. Skiers and riders who dress as Mr. or Mrs. Claus, participate in a group photo and arrive by 10 a.m. will receive a free lift ticket. Those who don’t have a jolly red suit can donate a gently used winter coat or a new toy (valued over $10) and receive 50% off a lift ticket for the day. Contributions will be a gifted to someone in need this holiday season.
Holiday festivities surrounding Whiteface this weekend also include the Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll from Dec. 9-11. With a skating party, Santa meet-and-greets and a bustling Main Street filled with holiday shopping deals, live music, and a tree lighting ceremony, the holiday tradition makes for a spirited and merry occasion.
Changing coasts, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe’s infamous Santa Ski Day is scheduled to take place on the Nevada resort’s slopes this Saturday.
“The Santa Ski Day has been a signature event at Mt. Rose for many years, and one our guests have always had a lot of fun with,” said Mike Pierce, marketing director at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. “It’s the perfect lead in to the Great Reno Santa Pub Crawl that night, and pairing it with a snowy weekend forecast is most certainly the perfect way to ring in the holiday season!”
Skiers and riders donned in their “finest Kris Kringle red and white,” or quite simply anything related to the holidays—elves, candy canes, shiny presents, Mrs. Claus and more—are invited to participate in the Santa Ski Crawl on Saturday. Discounted lift tickets priced at $59 will be available for purchase for those wearing Santa’s best. At 11 a.m., the Mass Santa Ski Down will take place, with all participants invited to meet at the base of the Northwest Magnum 6 lift to head up the mountain as a group.
Finally, on Sunday, Dec. 18, skiers and snowboarders dressed in Santa Claus costumes are invited to Mountain High Resort in southern California for Santa Sunday, a group ride in the name of charity. This holiday event, in its second year at Mountain High, serves as a fundraiser for Protect Our Winters (POW).
“We created Santa Sunday last year to raise awareness and funds for Protect Our Winters, a cause that’s deeply personal to all of us at Mountain High,” said John McColly, Mountain High chief marketing officer.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. with a group ride at Mountain High’s West Resort. Skiers and snowboarders can participate in Santa Sunday by registering here. In exchange for a $20 minimum donation to POW, participants will receive a complimentary lift ticket for the day (regularly $74). To qualify, skiers and snowboarders must wear a complete Santa suit with hat, beard, coat, belt and pants.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this fun event again this year with Mountain High,” said Chris Steinkamp, Protect Our Winters executive director. “Not only is it a lot of fun, but it provides us with resources to protect the winter season that we all depend on. We are thankful to Mountain High for tackling this issue in such a fun way.”