Our Guide to Utah Ski Resort Holiday Events and Santa Skiing
‘Tis the season—for skiing. Celebrate with Utah ski resort holiday events on the slopes with our definitive guide to free Santa skiing, torchlight parades, Saint Nick visits, and New Year’s celebrations at Utah’s ski resorts. Whether you’re a local or just visiting the Wasatch Mountains, even a Grinch will be delighted by the holiday celebrations in Utah’s mountains.
ALTA
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade
Ring in 2020 at Alta’s annual torchlight parade. To participate you must wear goggles and be an intermediate skier or above. An adult must accompany children, and all my participants must bring their own lights. Be creative, but note that open flames are not allowed in the parade. Lifts load at 5:15 p.m. Parade and fireworks begin at approximately 5:45–6:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Entry fee is $10 for skiers; proceeds go to the Utah Food Bank.
New Year’s Eve at Park City
BEAVER MOUNTAIN
Beaver Mountain is closed Christmas Day, but open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
BRIAN HEAD
Santa Ski Day
Dress as Santa and get FREE pizza lunch buffet at Brian Head on December 14. All Santas will gather at the base of Chair 4, Navajo Express, to take a ride around the mountain! If you’re dressed up, meet the rest of the jolly crew at the base of Chair 4, Navajo Express, at 12:00 PM! The group will head up Chair 4 and ski as a group to Giant Steps Lodge where there’s a Santa’s-only pizza buffet.
ULLR Festival
Help Brian Head usher in more snow and pow days by asking the God-of-Winter, ULLR! Gather with friends and excited snow bums at this classic celebration of winter’s start on December 14 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. with high hopes for the great season ahead. Stick around after the lifts close down, with enough help we may be able to summon ULLR himself.
New Year’s Eve Bash & Torchlight Parade
Ring in the New Year in Southern Utah with night skiing, live music, plenty of food, a torchlight parade on the slopes, and fireworks. Followed by Roaring ’20s themed party at Last Chair Saloon.
BRIGHTON RESORT
Quad Wednesdays
Ski or ride for just $25 on December 4, 11, 18 with your donations to local charities. Bring a new unwrapped toy for Utah Foster Care Foundation (Dec. 4), new winter clothing (hats, socks, gloves, etc.) for the Road Home (Dec. 11), and a bag of non-perishable canned food for the Utah Food Bank (Dec. 18) to get your discounted lift ticket.
Santas Ski FREE at Brighton
Santa Skis Free Day- NOT CONFIRMED FOR 2019
Dress as Santa and ski for free on Christmas Day. Partial costumes don’t count, so make sure you wear a red suit, beard, and Santa hat to qualify. Arrive early; free skiing limited to first 200 Santas.
DEER VALLEY
Join Deer Valley on opening day (December 7) to ski for a good cause. All proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Each participant who raises more than $300 will enjoy an incredible day on the slopes which will include a full-day lift ticket to Deer Valley Resort, on-mountain challenges/activities, a Shred for Red participant bib, the opportunity to ski and take photos with past and current Winter Olympians, as well as access to our exclusive après-ski reception. This experience is family-friendly and open to skiers of all abilities.
Santa Claus Visits Deer Valley
Ski on Christmas Eve and visit Santa in the Snow Park Lodge area from 9:00–11:00 a.m. and in the Silver Lake Lodge area from noon–1:30 p.m. Bring your camera/smartphone to take pictures with Saint Nick.
Torchlight Parade
This annual parade begins at dusk (around 6:00 p.m.) December 30 on Bald Eagle Mountain’s Big Stick ski run. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies served on the Snow Park Plaza from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Snow Park Restaurant will also be open for dinner. For more information, call 435-649-1000.
EAGLE POINT
The resort opens for the season December 20 and remains open daily until January 5, 2020 before switching to a Friday–Monday schedule.
NORDIC VALLEY
Family Fun New Year’s Eve Celebration
This Utah ski resort holiday event is to be announced for 2019. Ring in the New Year with a family ski day followed by a torchlight parade and fireworks display.
Christmas skiing at Park City.
PARK CITY MOUNTAIN
Tree Lighting Ceremony
After your Black Friday ski day (November 29), come to Park City for this family-friendly complimentary celebration with live holiday music performance by Paul Cave, hot cocoa bar, holiday crafts, photos with Santa (available for immediate print & purchase), and souvenir Park City Mountain tree ornaments (while supplies last). Evening ends with tree lighting immediately followed by a fireworks show!
Santa Comes Down Town Lift
Welcome Santa to Park City on Saturday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m. on the Town Lift Plaza. The evening features live jazz music and complimentary hot chocolate and cookies while you wait for Santa to ride in on the Town Lift in his lit-up sleigh. Photos with Santa courtesy of EpicMix Photo.
Visit Park City from December 20–January 5, 2020 for a 16-day winter festival featuring live musical acts, Santa sightings, fireworks, s’more roasting, ice sculptures, and winter fun.
56th Annual Torchlight Parade and Christmas Eve Celebration
Get in the holiday spirit on Christmas Eve at this long-running torchlight parade. Listen to festive music while enjoying free hot cocoa and cookies at the bottom of PayDay beginning at 5:30 p.m. As the light fades, ski and snowboard instructors lead Santa down the PayDay Trail in a traditional torchlight parade. Afterward, head to Legends Bar & Grill for a tasty meal, warm holiday cocktails, and live music.
Ring in the new year with dinner and dancing in our Kokopelli Ballroom at the Grand Summit Hotel! There will be a cash bar, music and dancing, a balloon drop and dinner.
SNOWBASIN
Christmas Eve Celebration
Ski with Santa during the day, then enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner at Earl’s Lodge from 4:30–8:00 p.m. on December 24. No reservations are accepted so come early to get your spot. Hot cocoa and other refreshments will also be available at the lodge. Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. for photographs with the kids. Torchlight parade, fireworks, and viewing festivities begin at 6:55 p.m. and are FREE to attend. There will also be a Daily Rise Coffee and Hot Cocoa cart available on Earl’s Patio 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Plus free Gingerbread cookie decorating in the Huntington Room in Earl’s Lodge 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
SNOWBIRD
Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Hanukkah candles will be lit in a traditional ceremony every evening at sundown from December 22–29 at the Cliff Lodge. Guests are welcome to bring their menorahs.
Join the ‘Santa Squad’ on Christmas Eve at the Bird. The first 75 people dressed in a complete Santa Claus or Elf suit ski/ride free at Snowbird on Sunday, December 22. Register at the Activity Center from 9:00–10:00 a.m. and meet outside the Activity Center at 10:00 a.m. to be escorted to a special Santa Express Tram. Arrive early!
Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
On Christmas Eve, stay after skiing for bonfires on the Plaza Deck followed by the Torchlight Parade, fireworks, and Santa rappelling from the Tram at approximately 6:00 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 p.m. in the Snowbird Center. Followed by dinner at The Aerie. Catch Santa and Mrs. Claus on the slopes from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. on Christmas Day.
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
Kick off your New Year’s Eve celebration with fire pits and hot cocoa from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on the Plaza Deck. Torchlight Parade begins at approximately 6:00 p.m. followed by a fireworks display at 6:30 p.m. Stay after for a DJ and New Year’s Eve party in the Wildflower Lounge.
