It’s the holiday season AND the start of ski and ride season here in Vermont. We’re ready to celebrate with events at mountain resorts around the state. From skiing santas and visiting reindeer to ringing in the new year, here are just a few fun things you might want to check out.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live in Concert!
Stowe Mountain Resort, Select Dates December 12-24
Spruce Peak Arts Center in Stowe is bringing this holiday classic to life. Enjoy a day on the slopes before celebrating the holidays with Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Plus, Stowe will be inviting Snoopy to the resort to meet the kids and participate in activities throughout the month of December.
Wintershine
Jay Peak Resort, Weekends in December
Sometimes in the hustle and bustle, we forget what it is to gather around the fire and just enjoy the season. For the second year, Jay Peak will be lighting up the entire base area with hundreds of thousand of twinkle lights. Every weekend you can join the Jay Peak community around the fire, enjoy free s’mores, live music, and every Saturday will feature a fireworks display.
Santa Sunday
Bolton Valley, December 15
Want to ski or ride for free at Bolton Valley? Dress like Santa! Head to Bolton dressed head to toe like Ol’ St. Nick and you receive a complimentary lift ticket for the day. Simply wearing red won’t cut it, you must go full Claus to earn these holiday turns.
Spruce Peak Lights Festival
Stowe Mountain Resort, December 21
Celebrate winter and the festive holiday season with a day filled with beautiful ice dancing performances and family-friendly activities, all capped with a tree & Village lighting celebration and an on-mountain fireworks display.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, December 21
Celebrate the winter solstice at Smuggs around the bonfire with s’mores, music, and hot cocoa. Enjoy live performances with Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater, Cirque de Fuego, and a fireworks display!
Vermont Reindeer Visit
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, December 24
Meet Dasher & Cupid from the Vermont Reindeer Farm, before they trek to the North Pole to help Santa! The Vermont Reindeer Farm will be bringing Cupid and Dasher to Smuggs. The reindeer live on the Broe Family Farm in West Charleston, Vermont.
Winter Carnival
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, December 26
Get ready for a magical Winter Carnival on the Village Green! It’s family fun as we celebrate the season with lively music, delicious food, and exciting games. Watch in awe as Wicked Good Ice creates stunning sculptures during a special ice carving demonstration. Smuggs’ awesome activities team will keep the fun going with winter games, thrilling races, and a cozy bonfire to warm up by.
Kids Corner Holiday Activities
Killington, December 28-29
After a great day of turns, head to the 3rd floor of Snowshed Base Lodge for kid-friendly activities like cookie decorating, board games, arts & crafts, and more.
Tiny Tots Torchlight Parade
Burke Mountain, December 29
Torchlight Parades have usually been firmly in adult territory. Burke is celebrating this glowing nighttime event with the mini groms. Held on the Magic Carpet at Sherburne Base Lodge, tots will be provided with LED glow sticks before sliding down the learning area. Pre-registration will be required so stay tuned for more details and to sign up.
Grommet Jam
Mount Snow, December 30
Is your little shredder in the park all day? Let them learn a few things and then show off their skills at Mount Snow’s Grommet Jam. The first in a series, the Grommet Jam is a great way for kids ages 7-12 to get out and learn a few park skills from Mount Snow’s coaches and instructors before competing in a fun park competition.
New Year’s Eve Firework Hike
Stratton Mountain, December 31
Enjoy the traditional New Year’s fireworks display from a different vantage point at Stratton. Join a snowshoe hike to mid-mountain where you can watch the fireworks before descending down to the base area for a fire and hot chocolate. Kids must be at least 12 years old to participate. Snowshoe rentals are included!
New Year’s Eve Celebration and Firework
Okemo Mountain Resort, December 31
Ringing in the new year at Okemo? Head to the Jackson Gore Courtyard to celebrate with live music and roaming entertainers before a fireworks display lights up the mountain. This event ends at 8pm, so plenty of time to get a good night’s sleep before making the first turns of 2025.
Mini Shred Madness
Pico Mountain Resort, January 4
Calling all groms! Skiers and riders 13 years and under are invited to experience park competition at Pico. Athletes will be split into two groups: Super Groms (age 9 and under) and Groms (age 10-13) to test their skills on the course in a fun and friendly environment.
Sarah Borodaeff is a freelance writer, project manager, and tiny person wrangler. A snowsports enthusiast, Sarah has worked in the snowsports industry for over fifteen years as a ski coach, in marketing, and most recently as an associate editor for Ski Area Management. She is currently endeavoring to keep up with a toddler whose favorite phrase is “go outside!”