If you dream of a white Christmas, consider a Christmas ski vacation. Even when Mother Nature fails to cooperate, snow-making at the resorts will ensure that at least some of your Christmas will be white. Just about every United States ski resort offers some type of Christmas celebration. However, these resorts do a far better job at capturing the Christmas spirit. Each has terrain that is suitable for all levels, as well as a variety of off-slope activities for the non-skiers in your party.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge is a former Victorian mining town. It has done an excellent job at preserving its historic integrity. Although the town's Christmas tree is usually lit in early December, there's Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus and his reindeer have been known to visit the slopes. The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance sponsors story telling and Christmas parties at its various museums. Don't miss the torchlight parade down the mountain on New Year's Eve.
Breckenridge Heritage Alliance
P.O. Box 2460
Breckenridge, Colorado 80424
(800) 980-1859
breckheritage.com
Breckenridge Ski Resort
1599 County Road 3
Breckenridge, Colorado 80424
(970) 453-5000
breckenridge.snow.com
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
The Mount Washington Resort at the Bretton Woods Ski Resort was built at the turn of the century, and it displays some of the most ornate features of Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture. The hotel was built by a Pennsylvania Railroad tycoon. After his death, his widow remarried the prince of France. She continued to operate the hotel until the 1930s. Indeed, the decor of the Mount Washington makes it fit for a princess, and its fairy-tale ambiance provides the perfect venue for a Christmas celebration.
When you return from the slopes, you'll find carolers roaming through the hotel lobby, where roasted chestnuts and hot cider are served. If you're traveling with kids, Santa's elves will come to the room, read them The Night Before Christmas and tuck them into bed. Christmas movies are shown throughout the week. There's an outdoor family race and a healthy Christmas cooking demonstration.
Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods
173 Mt Washington Hotel Rd
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, 03575
(603) 278-1000
mountwashingtonresort.com
Christmas in Stowe, Vermont
A perfect place for a Christmas vacation is the picturesque, 18th century village of Stowe, Vermont. If Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides are a few of your favorite things, consider at stay at the Von Trapp Lodge. Yes, it's associated with the Von Trapps of "The Sound of Music" fame. Those who prefer downhill skiing and snowboarding can visit the Stowe Mountain Ski Resort. If you have kids, you can assure them that Santa will definitely visit the Town of Stowe, as well as Stowe Mountain. There's a holiday Handel's Messiah Community Sing-In at the Stowe Community Church. Savor the Annual Festival of the Trees and Lights.
Stowe Mountain Resort
5781 Mountain Rd
Stowe, Vermont, 05672
(802) 253-3000
stowe.com
Trapp Family Lodge
700 Trapp Hill Road P.O. Box 1428
Stowe, Vermont 05672
(800) 826-7000
trappfamily.com
Stowe Community Church
137 Main St
Stowe, VT 05672
(802) 253-7257
stowechurch.org
About The Author
Lisa Marie Mercer authored "Open Your Heart with Winter Fitness," "Breckenridge: A Guide to the Sights and Slopes of Summit County" and "101 Fitness Tips for Women." She's worked as a fitness professional, tour guide and ski resort employee. Her work has appeared in "Aspen Magazine," "HerSports," "The Professional Skier," "Pregnancy Magazine," and "Wired."
