[dropcap style=”square”]D[/dropcap]eck the halls on a mountaintop with our comprehensive guide to free Santa skiing, torchlight parades, and Kris Kringle visits at Utah’s 15 fantastic ski resorts.
ALTA
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade
Ring in 2014 at Alta’s annual New Year’s Eve torchlight parade. The parade follows the main cat track from Watson Shelter to the base of the mountain. To participate you must be an intermediate skier or above, and you must have goggles. Lifts load at 5:15 p.m. The parade and fireworks begin at 6:00 p.m. Bring non-perishable items to donate to the Utah Food Bank. alta.com
BEAVER MOUNTAIN
Beaver Mountain is closed Christmas Day, but open on New Year’s Day. skithebeav.com
BRIAN HEAD
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Ring in the New Year in Southern Utah with a Torchlight Parade and fireworks on the slopes. brianhead.com
BRIGHTON RESORT
Quad Wednesdays
Ski or ride for just $20 on December 3, 10, and 17 by supporting charitable organizations with your donations of toys (Dec. 3), winter clothing (Dec. 10), and canned food (Dec. 17).
Santa Skis Free Day
Dress as Santa and ski for free on Christmas Eve! Partial costumes don’t count, so come dressed head to toe as St. Nick to ensure you get a lift ticket! brightonresort.com
CANYONS RESORT
Santa Skis Free
Be one of the first 50 people to show up in a Santa suit at Canyons on Saturday, December 20 and ski or ride for free all day! Guests must be in FULL costume, no partial costumes will count. Dressing as Mrs. Claus, an elf, or a reindeer is also allowed. Registration at 8:00 a.m. in the Resort Village.
Caroling from Park City Treble Makers
After your ski day ends, gather in the Resort Village to listen to your favorite Christmas carols sung by the Park City Treble Makers from 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Santa on the Slopes
From December 24–25, 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. If you miss him during the day, catch Santa from 3:30–4:30 p.m. both days in the Resort Village.
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–1:30 p.m. in the Silver Lake Lodge area. Bring a camera and have your picture taken with Santa.
Torchlight Parade
Begins at about 6 p.m. (dusk) on December 30 on Bald Eagle Mountain’s Big Stick ski run. Complimentary hot cider and cookies will be served on the Snow Park Plaza. For more information, please call 435-649-1000 or 800-424-DEER (3337). deervalley.com
EAGLE POINT
Santa Claus Visits
Ski on Christmas Day and visit with Santa as he passes out goodies to everyone on the mountain!
New Year’s Eve
Ring in the New Year with a delicious Prime Rib buffet in the Canyonside Lodge followed by the New Year’s after party hosted by resident DJ Jay Kapp. Reservations required for the buffet. eaglepointresort.com
PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT
Holiday Season Kick Off
Welcome Santa, Rudolph, and the other reindeer to Park City on December 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Towne Lift Plaza. The evening features free hot chocolate, holiday treats, and caroling as you wait for Santa to fly in on the Town Lift.
Torchlight Parade and Christmas Eve Celebration
Get in the holiday spirit on Christmas Eve by listening to holiday music while enjoying hot beverages and cookies on the Resort Plaza after skiing. At 5:30 p.m. the ski and snowboard school ski down the PayDay trail in a traditional torchlight parade. Free admission and refreshments. parkcitymountain.com
SNOWBASIN RESORT
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. Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. for photographs with the kids. Dinner followed by a torchlight parade at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 6:45 p.m. All viewing festivities are free! No reservations accepted, so come early to get your spot. snowbasin.com
SNOWBIRD SKI AND SUMMER RESORT
Santa Skis the Bird
Ski on Christmas Eve and you may see Santa and Mrs. Claus on the slopes! They’ll hand out treats and share good cheer throughout the day. Stick around after for the Torchlight Parade.
Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
Bring the whole family to the Plaza Deck for bonfires before the Torchlight Parade at dusk on Christmas Eve. Followed by Santa rappelling from the Tram, fireworks display, and Candelight Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 p.m. in the Snowbird Center.
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
This free event begins with a Torchlight Parade at dusk on New Year’s Eve at approximately 6:00 p.m. Fireworks display after followed by New Year’s party in the Wildflower Lounge. snowbird.com
SOLITUDE
International Women’s Ski Day
Join other ladies for a ski day with activities and prizes on Saturday, December 13. Participants who sign up in advance receive 50% off their lift ticket that day, and are entered into a prize giveaway! Sign up at: skisolitude.com
