Celebrate the holidays on a mountaintop with these festive happenings at local ski resorts.
ALTA
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade
Come watch or participate in Alta’s annual torchlight parade on New Year’s Eve. To participate you must be an intermediate skier or above and you should bring goggles. Lifts will load at 5:15 p.m. The parade and fireworks begin at 6:00 p.m. Goldminer’s Daughter is a good spot to watch, or park along Hwy 210. Bring non-perishable items to donate to the Utah Food Bank. alta.com
BEAVER MOUNTAIN
Beaver Mountain is closed on Chrismas Day, but will be open on New Year’s Day. skithebeav.com
BRIAN HEAD
Free Ski Day
On Thursday, December 13, the resort will offer FREE rentals, FREE lift tickets, and FREE lessons to all visitors. Plan to visit on this day and experience Southern Utah skiing. Just a four-hour drive from Salt Lake. brianhead.com
BRIGHTON RESORT
Quad Wednesdays
Ski or ride for just $20 on Wednesdays in December (5, 12, 19) by supporting charitable organizations with donations of toys, winter clothing, and food. Specific details on dates and donations are available online. brightonresort.com
CANYONS RESORT
Santa on the Slopes
From December 22–25, Santa will ski at Canyons, delivering candy and treats to everyone on the Nice List. Look for Santa at the Ski Beach and throughout the entire resort from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Chanukah Concert with Lipa Schmeltzer
Celebrate Chanukah at Canyons with a private concert by Lipa Schmeltzer on December 13 at 6:00 p.m. in Red Pine Lodge. Tickets are $50 per person and a kosher BBQ will be available for purchase.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Watch Canyons’ annual, free fireworks show at 7:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Look online to come about additional event activities too. thecanyons.com
DEER VALLEY
Santa Claus Visits Deer Valley
Come on Christmas Eve and visit Santa in the Snow Park Lodge area from 9:00-11:00 a.m or from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Silver Lake Lodge area. Bring a camera and have your picture taken with St. Nick.
Torchlight Parade
Begins at about 6 p.m. (dusk) on Big Stick ski run on Bald Eagle Mountain. Complimentary hot cider and cookies will be served on the Snow Park Plaza. For more information, please call 435-649-1000. deervalley.com
EAGLE POINT
Ski Free Thursdays in January
Escape crowds and ditch lift lines while enjoying a day of free skiing or snowboarding at this new Southern Utah resort every Thursday in January. eaglepointresort.com
PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT
Holiday Season Kick Off
Welcome Santa, Rudolph, and the other reindeer to Park City on December 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Towne Lift Plaza. The evening will feature hot chocolate, holiday treats, and caroling while waiting for Santa to fly in on the Town Lift. parkcitymountain.com
Torchlight Parade And Christmas Eve Celebration
Celebrate Christmas by listening to holiday music while enjoying hot beverages and cookies at sunset as the ski and snowboard school snake down PayDay trail for a traditional torchlight parade. Admission and refreshments are free. Event held on Resort Plaza on December 24. parkcitymountain.com
POWDER MOUNTAIN
Night Jam
After the holiday frenzy winds down, head up for a nighttime park jam under the lights in the Sundown Terrain Park on January 9 at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy friends, music, fun park features, and a friendly jam format competition. Skiers and snowboarders welcome. Prizes will be awarded after each event, followed by a product toss around the fire pit at Sundown lodge.
Military Appreciation Ski Day
Military skis free at Powder Mountain on January 11! Just present your military ID at the ticket window and receive a complimentary day pass. Spouses and dependants ski for half price. powdermountain.com
SNOWBASIN RESORT
Holiday Gala
Celebrate the holidays in style with a gala at this majestic mountain lodge on December 7 at 6:30 p.m. The night includes appetizers, diverse buffet, and live music by the Svengali Jazz Quartet. Tickets are $55 each. Call 801-510-7477 for details or to purchase. snowbasin.com
SNOWBIRD SKI AND SUMMER RESORT
The Torchlight Parade begins at dusk on Christmas Eve, approximately 6:00 p.m. Following the parade is the fireworks display. The best view is from the Plaza Deck. A Candelight Christmas Eve Service follows the fireworks at Snowbird Center.
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
The Torchlight Parade begins at dusk on New Year’s Eve, approximately 6 p.m. A fireworks display follows. Event is free. snowbird.com
Solitude
Solitude’s 4th Annual WinterFest
When skiing Solitude from December 22—January 1, check out avalanche dog demonstrations, s’mores parties, ice skating, carolers, alphorn players, magicians, ice carvers, and more at this annual fest.
Santa Visits Solitude Mountain Resort
On Christmas Day, look for Santa on the mountain as he hands out candy canes to kids. Later, meet up with him for photos by the fire pit in the Village. skisolitude.com