Christmas Skiing Vacations

Choosing the right location for your Christmas skiing vacation can make the difference between a great trip, and one you'll want to forget. However, in both Europe and North America, there are several destinations that are family friendly, offer a festive Christmas atmosphere and are guaranteed suitable snow for skiing.

  1. Keystone and Breckenridge, Colorado

    • A large portion of Colorado is covered by snow beginning in early December. This means you will almost certainly experience great skiing during the Christmas season. The slopes around Keystone are mostly tree lined, making wind-closure unlikely, according to the Guardian.co.uk. The town also has an alpine atmosphere with many of the town's bars and restaurants facing a small square.

      For a bit more altitude, try the town of Breckenridge, accessible by the world's highest ski lift.

      Both Breckenridge and Keystone generally open for skiing in early to mid- November.

      Keystone Resort

      P.O. Box 38

      Keystone

      CO 80435

      888-222-9285

      keystoneresort.com

      Breckenridge Ski Resort

      1599 Summit County Rd 3 Ste C

      Breckenridge

      CO 80424

      970-496-4500

      breckenridge.com

    British Columbia, Canada

    • The town of Whistler offers one of the most family friendly ski resorts in Canada, according to Travel on Today. In addition to great skiing, the resort offers tubing, dog sledding and ice climbing as well as outdoor adventure centers for the little ones. For drier snow and an extensive range of trails for experienced and novice skiers alike, head to Big White, further inland.

      Whistler Blackcomb Mountains

      4545 Blackcomb Way

      Whistler BC

      Canada

      V0N 1B4

      1-866-218-9690

      whistlerblackcomb.com

      Big White Ski Resort

      5315 Big White Road

      Kelowna BC

      Canada

      V1P 1P3

      1-800-663-2772

      bigwhite.com

    Obergurgl, Austria

    • This tiny resort is nestled in the Alps and, according to Nick Rufford of the Sunday Times, offers empty pistes, beautiful scenery and pristine skiing conditions. Obergurgl is more than 6,000 feet high and its lifts start in early to mid November, making it the first Austrian resort without a glacier to open. It also offers a lively Christmas atmosphere with carol services, nativity scenes and plenty of mulled wine. The nearby town of Innsbruck also offers Christmas shopping to rival big American towns.

      Hotel Alpina Deluxe

      A-6456 Obergurgl

      --tztal

      Tirol

      Austria

      43-5256-600-0

      www.hotelalpina.com

    Zermatt, Switzerland

    • Offering views off the Matterhorn and located on the Swiss-Italian border, Zermatt has excellent downhill skiing 365 days of the year. There are moer than 200 miles of pistes suitable for all level of skiers, according to Zermatt Matterhorn. You can also participate in The Infinity, if you arrive the week before Christmas, which is a 12 mile downhill child friendly race over a 7,000 foot drop in altitude from the Klein Matterhorn to the village.

      Best Western Alpen Resort

      Familie Jörg Aufdenblatten

      Spissstrasse 52

      CH - 3920

      Zermatt

      Switzerland

      41-27-966-3000

      alpenresort.com

    Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado

    • With over 5,000 acres of skiing and 33 ski-lifts, Vail has terrain for every level of skier along with an average of 350 inches a year of good, powdery snow. The town itself lights up during the Christmas season, and includes heated cobblestone walks. Experience festive street markets, ice skating and fire pits on streets designated solely for pedestrians.

      Nearby Beaver Creek is somewhat smaller with just under 2,000 acres of skiing and 17 ski lifts.

      Vail Resorts

      600 W Lionshead Cir

      Vail, CO

      81657

      970-476-5601

      vail.com

      Beaver Creek Resort

      40 Village Road

      Avon, CO

      81620

      970-845-9090

      beavercreek.com