The 10 Coziest, Most Magical Ski Towns to Spend the Holidays

Christmas in a ski resort is like one of those snow globes that you pick up and shake. First, the scene is idyllic. Second, there’s snow. Let’s be honest: Those are the two essential ingredients for a real ski-town Christmas. Oh, and skiing. Make that three.

Yes, it’s more expensive to ski over the holidays, and yes, you often need to plan in advance, but when you can swing it, waking up to a powder day on Christmas morning is hands-down the best gift under the proverbial tree. Whether you’re heading to the slopes next week or want to get ahead of the pack for next year, let the following list serve as inspiration to step into your own holiday snow globe for Christmas.

The Best Ski Towns To Spend the Holidays

Stowe, Vt.

Arguably Vermont’s prettiest village, a Stowe vacation is like a scene out of a Lifetime movie, minus the bad acting. Alpine skiing, cross-country trails, and snowshoeing compete with sleigh rides, shopping, and visits to the Ben & Jerry’s headquarters in nearby Waterbury. The Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa would be a great Christmas lodging choice, as would the Trapp Family Lodge or Topnotch at Stowe.

Banff, Alberta

Surrounded by the craggy grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, the town of Banff gets all spruced up for the holidays. If you want the creature comforts of the town’s luxury hotels, check out the castle-like Fairmont Chateau Banff Springs and its five star spa, Solace. If it’s European ambiance you seek, check into the intimate Relais & Chateaux property, The Post Hotel. You have three ski areas to choose from—Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine, and Norquay—all a complimentary shuttle ride from downtown. For a special treat, book a few nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Whether you choose to go to the hot springs at Banff or take a moonlit sleigh ride around Lake Louise, this is a true Canadian Christmas. And at bargain rates, thanks to the American dollar.

Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Perfect for families, Steamboat caters to kids without completely dismantling your budget, starting with their Kid’s Ski Free program—children under 12 get a free ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket. Home to a lively downtown full of Western flair, Steamboat serves up the ultimate cowboy Christmas. For lodging, check out the centrally located Sheraton Steamboat Hotel or the Steamboat Grand. For larger groups, Moving Mountains and Steamboat by Vacasa offer roomier options. Check the kids into Steamboat’s award-winning ski school and spend the morning working the trails off the new Mahogany Express.

Saas Fee, Switzerland

At the heart of Saas Fee’s pretty alpine village, the square transforms into a glowing holiday scene every December. Snow-dusted rooftops, twinkling lights, and wooden stalls set the stage for one of Switzerland’s most charming Christmas markets. Traditional Glühwein warms cold hands, and kids aren’t left out—they can sip a special child-friendly version of the festive drink while admiring the decorations. If you’re looking to treat yourself, the Walliserhof goes all out for the holidays, and the sleek Capra is a boutique hotel with a sweet spa and a modern ambience. Aside from the skiing, which is going off right now, there’s a Christmas train that’s a hit with younger visitors, taking them on a magical ride that feels straight out of a storybook.

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley comes together at that magical point where cowboys, culture, and Hollywood combine. That meeting of rodeo and studio makes for the West’s most unique mountain resort. Sun Valley Lodge, built in 1936, is still enchanting, from the Duchin Bar to the outdoor ice rink rimmed with twinkling lights. Down in Ketchum, the Tamarack Lodge is easier on the wallet and the Limelight is a real treat around the holidays. Think about bundling up for a sleigh ride out to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner.

Beaver Creek, Colo.

Beaver Creek epitomizes the glittery but tasteful ski village life at Christmas. The high life, to be sure, but if you can afford it, few places offer the kind of discrete luxury and pampering found at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. On a slightly less pricey level, The Charter in Beaver Creek is a more reasonable choice. But there’s no place quite like Beaver Creek for that cozy, all-enveloping feeling that gives you the warm-fuzzies around the holidays. It’s all the better, of course, if you’ve spent the day skiing the empty trails of Bachelor Gulch.

St. Anton, Austria

 (Photo: Getty Images)

Tucked into the snow-covered grounds of the St. Anton Museum, St. Anton’s idyllic Christmas market offers a festive dose of Alpine charm alongside world-class skiing. Wander through lantern-lit pathways to find a life-size nativity scene, a whimsical Christmas adventure trail, and carolers filling the crisp mountain air with classic holiday tunes. The stalls brim with handcrafted goods and novelty gifts—think cozy Christmas jumpers and artisan keepsakes—while local delicacies tempt visitors at every turn. We like the Chalet Brunnerhof, just off the main drag, for families and those looking for some peace and quiet. For the party crowd, the Schwarzer Adler is right in the thick of it all.

Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Holiday visitors can take in the downtown square festooned with light and elk antlers, the high-season hijinks at the Million Dollar Cowboy bar, and the to-die-for-views of the Tetons. Last-minute Christmas shopping offerings include everything from gimmicky gift shops to authentic Western duds at Boot Barn. Stay at Amangani if you’ve gotten at least a million-dollar bonus from your firm. Otherwise, it’s the venerable Spring Creek Ranch, the historic Wort Hotel, or the ski-in, ski-out Snow King Resort. If you’re economizing, try the Cowboy Village Log Cabin resort, and a variety of motel options. Wherever you stay, the town is festive, the skiing superb, and if the pass is open, head to Targhee for more of it.

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Tremblant looks like it was constructed expressly for Christmas. A stroll through the colorful nouvelle Quebecois base village is an excuse to window shop, check out an array of multi-national restaurants, or drop in on the liveliest après-ski scene in the East at places like the P’tit Caribou. The Fairmont Chateau Mont Tremblant is the first choice here, but you can do well at Les Suites de Tremblant or La Tour des Voyaguers. Once again, the American dollar sweetens this deal better than maple syrup.

Deer Valley, Utah

Deer Valley does Christmas as perfectly as it grooms the slopes. It’s deluxe, it’s pampered, and it’s impeccably planned. A stroll through Silver Lake Village, with its fashionable shops, restaurants, and hotels, is Deer Valley Christmas personified. If you could stay anywhere, it would be at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, which is not very likely at this date. The Snow Park Condominiums would be another, less-expensive choice, and the Hyatt Place Park City is good for those watching their dollars. The slopes are bigger than ever thanks to the resort’s massive new expansion, which debuts 10 lifts and 100 new trails runs this winter. Now that’s a proper holiday gift.