10 Best Ski Resorts for Christmas Holiday

November 20, 2012 // By Lydia Schrandt

By Lydia Schrandt
November 20, 2012

Photo courtesy of Jeff Wise - Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont

Ski resorts make excellent Christmas getaways due to the almost guaranteed snow, festive decorations and plenty of family friendly activities. A world-class ski school and variety of off-slope activities make Stowe Mountain Resort particularly appealing to families with young children, but there's expert-worthy terrain as well.

Banff on Lake Louise Photo courtesy of Banff Lake Louise Tourism/Paul Zizka

Banff, Alberta, Canada

Banff has the look of a Christmas village even in the heart of summer, and when the Canadian Rockies surrounding the valley are blanketed in snow, it transforms into a holiday wonderland. The skiing here is among the best in the world, yet lift ticket prices tend to be lower than comparable resorts in the United States.

Sugarloaf, Maine Photo courtesy of Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf, Maine

Located in the rugged Carrabassett Valley of Maine, Sugarloaf Ski Resort offers some of the highest elevation skiing in New England paired with a vibrant apres ski scene. Alpine and Nordic trails, a terrain park, ice skating, snow shoeing and sledding are all available, so families with varied interests will all find something to do.

Beaver Creek at Christmas Photo courtesy of Matthew Inden/Miles - Colorado Tourism Office

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Beaver Creek, owned and operated by neighboring Vail, is the more secluded, more laid back and more elegant of the two resorts. Beginning and intermediate terrain account for over half the resort's acreage, but experts will find thrilling chutes and some of the steepest terrain around. Santa and his elves make appearances in the village in the days leading up to and following Christmas.

Park City Village Photo courtesy of Park City, Utah

Park City, Utah

Park City is the largest resort in Utah and one of the world's premier destinations for snowboarding and other winter extreme sports, thanks to its gig hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. Santa rides the lifts down from the mountain into the village each winter, and on Christmas Eve, the slopes light up with the torchlight parade.

Breckenridge, Colorado at night Photo courtesy of Matthew Inden/Miles - Colorado Tourism Office

Breckenridge, Colorado

Besides having the highest chairlift in the United States, Breckenridge lures in skiers of all abilities with its 2,300 acres of terrain across four separate mountains. The charming town at the base of the mountains offers all the shopping, restaurants and bars you could want for a family vacation, all decked out in the trappings of Christmas.

Aspen at Christmas Photo courtesy of felix388

Aspen, Colorado

During the Christmas holiday, Aspen's four resorts host a range of special events on top of their already exciting entertainment scene. The 12 Days of Aspen include events like a White Wonderland Christmas Party, Holiday Torchlight Parade, s'mores-making parties and free ice skating.

Photo courtesy of Whitefish Mountain Resort

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana gives skiers a special gift on Christmas Day: night skiing. When you're not on the slopes, enjoy the quiet resort town with activities like dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow mobile tours or luxurious spa treatments. Smaller crowds and lower prices on everything from food to ski lessons means you can afford to bring the whole family.

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About Lydia Schrandt

Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.