On the heels of up to two feet of fresh snowfall across Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe in the last week, it’s the perfect time to book a holiday vacation at one of the most iconic ski resorts in the country –Vail, Beaver Creek,  Breckenridge,  Keystone,  Park City, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. Fantastic early season skiing, combined with special events for the entire family will make for holiday memories that will last a lifetime.

“Our mountain resorts and villages truly elevate the festive atmosphere of the mountains with distinct programming and events available only during the holidays,” said Kieran Cain, vice president of marketing for Vail Resorts. “From the historic grand opening of the new Park City on Friday, Dec. 18 to the launch of the White Carpet Club in Beaver Creek and great early-season snowstorms across our resorts, it’s going to be a holiday season like no other this year.”

COLORADO

Dreaming of a white Christmas in Colorado? Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone are ready to deliver on your wish list, whether it be a “White Glove” experience at Beaver Creek or a holiday for the whole family at Keystone.

Vail Holidaze

With a strong opening to the season featuring more than 500 skiable acres, fresh snow and more snow in the forecast, Vail Mountain is the definition of a truly captivating winter oasis. Named one of “America’s Best Towns for the Holidays” in Travel + Leisure, Vail lives up to this accolade by embodying a combination of seasonal cheer, luxury and elegance, and awe-inspiring terrain. The festive mood is highlighted by Vail Holidaze  on Dec. 19, 20 and 31, featuring the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by the Vail Lantern Walk through Vail Village. Ring in the New Year Vail style with the New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade. Onlookers will be in a daze as ski instructors and locals form a glowing train as they ski down Golden Peak, followed by a fireworks extravaganza. Vail is offering an early gift to guests with special savings on vacation deals during the holidays, including savings of up to 25 percent.
For vacation package or event details, visit www.vail.com.

White Carpet, White Glove, White Snow at Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek’s White Glove Collection covers the spectrum of luxury and exclusivity on the slopes this holiday season. It all begins with the White Carpet Club, providing an exclusive, private retreat during a busy time of year for guests staying within Beaver Creek. Services and amenities at the White Carpet Club will make your ski vacation even more luxurious and special. With White Glove First Tracks, access the mountain one hour before the general public and ski fresh corduroy or powder. Then, enjoy a delectable hot breakfast, specially prepared for you at the exclusive Allie’s Cabin Dec. 27, 29, 31 andJan. 2. Finally, enjoy a fresh blanket of snow every day even when Mother Nature is away, thanks to Beaver Creek’s increased snowmaking capabilities on Gold Dust, Red Tail and Centennial.
For more information, visit www.beavercreek.com.

Holiday First Tracks in Breckenridge

While it feels like Christmas from December through January in Breckenridge, Colorado, a real holiday treat is the one-of-a-kind First Tracks Friday experience starting on Dec. 18. Guests staying in select Breck lodging properties – Mountain Thunder Lodge, One Ski Hill Place, Crystal Peak Lodge, The DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge, The Village Hotel or The Village at Breckenridge – are offered a special opportunity to enjoy the mountain one hour before the lifts open to the public. Guests must have a valid lift ticket or season pass and be intermediate level skiers or snowboarders or above. Holiday First Tracks will be offered each Friday from Dec. 18 through Jan. 8.
For additional details, visit www.breckenridge.com.

Santa Claus is Coming to Keystone…Along with Kidtopia and Kids Ski Free

Keystone continues to redefine the family resort experience with Kidtopia, offering a variety of daily family activities and programming beginning Thanksgiving weekend. In addition, the big guy himself will be on-hand beginning Saturday, Nov. 28 during the first of Keystone’s Kidtopia Saturday Village Parades, and making appearances through Christmas Eve before embarking on his prior obligations. From photo opportunities and story time to parades and ice skating, Santa Claus will be out and about in Keystone throughout December. Also, returning for a fourth season, Keystone’s Kids Ski Free  program is easy on the wallet, easy on the rules and hard to beat. Available every day for the duration of the season, including weekends and holidays, families need only to book two or more nights of lodging through Keystone Resort for any child 12 and younger to ski for free.
For programming details, visit www.keystoneresort.com

UTAH

There is only one Park City.

With a $50 million transformation, Park City and Canyons are now one resort – the largest in the United States! Each guest experience-enhancing project will be complete for the upcoming holidays, making the season in Park City one to remember for years to come. Be among the first to experience the mountain improvements, including the new Quicksilver Gondola, which will finally cement the connection between Canyons and Park City; the new Miners Camp restaurant with more than 700 seats; upgrades to both the King Con and Motherlode lifts; trail widening in key high-traffic areas; and improved snowmaking.
For the most up-to-date information, visit www.parkcitymountain.com.

CALIFORNIA

Have Yourself a Heavenly Holiday

In beautiful South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort is commemorating its 60^th anniversary with the Winter Ignite Celebrating 60 Years at Heavenly bash, spanning two weeks – Dec. 4-12 – and featuring pop-up DJ Cat parties, Unbuckleaprès parties and much anticipated, complimentary, high-octane concert in the Heavenly Village on Saturday, Dec. 12 with renowned alternative dance duo Matt and Kim headlining. The fifth annual Heavenly Holidays festival offers guests 12 days of lights, decorations, magicians, jugglers, a Ripperoo Parade and much more from Dec. 19-31 including ice sculpting exhibitions by Fear No Ice in Heavenly Village’s winter wonderland, illuminated by the Gondola as it descends over the crowd, signaling the start of the New Year. Kicking-off the New Year’s Eve celebration is a live outdoor concert headlined by the LA Allstars, FireGroove fire dancers and a dazzling fireworks show to ring in 2016. Heavenly invites friends, families and fans of outdoor recreation to enjoy flawless terrain and high-energy entertainment with an iconic view.
For all Heavenly winter happenings, visit SkiHeavenly.com.

Enjoy Celebrated Traditions at Northstar California Resort

Northstar invites guests to experience quintessential relaxed California luxury and style as they savor fresh, raise a glass during tost, the daily, on-mountain pop-up champagne and sparkling cider lounge on East Ridge run at 2 p.m., indulge during signature S’more Time in The Village at 3:30 p.m. each day, and savor the finest ingredients that California has to offer during Mountain Table, the elegant, five-course dinner series meticulously paired with various wines and craft brews throughout the season. Kids and kids-at-heart can usher in the spirit of the holidays during Noel Nights, featuring horse-drawn sleigh rides, pictures with Santa, holiday carolers and much more, hosted the first three Thursdays in December. Noel Nights will culminate with the second annual Northern Lights Festival on Saturday, Dec. 12, during which kids and families partake in a day and evening of light-filled revelry and activities, and ending with a fireworks spectacular. Visit www.northstarcalifornia.com for a complete listing of events and activities.

Holiday Cheer Begins with Big-Mountain Terrain at Kirkwood

Kirkwood Mountain Resort gives skiers and riders the opportunity to discover all that Mother Nature’s bounty has to offer through Expedition: Kirkwood – an extensive program including Back country awareness programs and clinics and AIARE Level 1 certification courses, cat tours, private guides, women’s and children’s-specific programming, and much more. Renowned for natural snow accumulation, Kirkwood is true to the soul of skiing and snowboarding by offering avid adventurers the perfect 2300 acre big mountain terrain park to take their skills to the next level through the E:K Discovery Series. Top coaches paired with Kirkwood’s unique terrain make for a one-of-a-kind experience, allowing guests to hone-in on their technique during one or all of the series’ sessions: Discover the Steeps, Explore Cornices & Bowls, and Navigating the Chutes. Book an exciting big mountain adventure or escape this holiday season by retreating to picturesque Kirkwood – there is truly something for everyone. Visit www.kirkwood.com for additional information.

LODGING, TRANSPORTATION, EQUIPMENT & LIFT

Cyber Monday Deals Make Holiday Travel Even Sweeter

Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 25, skiers and snowboarders can make the most of their vacation spending this year with the annual Cyber Monday sale and leave more time and money for what’s important this time of year. Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and transportation provider Colorado Mountain Express (CME) are offering vacation values of up to 50 percent off on lodging, ground transportation and even equipment rentals. Vail Resorts’ annual Cyber Monday sale lasts through Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Visit www.snow.com/cybermonday to book.

Stock Up on an Epic Stocking Stuffer Today!

Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass grants skiers and snowboarders unlimited, unrestricted access to these snowy western destinations. It’s the only pass granting its holder the true flexibility to ski as much as they want, whenever they want, and to chase the powder as it moves across the U.S. At $809, the Epic Pass pays for itself in less than five days of skiing or riding. With more than 32,000 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain, this pass can’t be beat. It features unlimited, unrestricted access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Perisher in Australia for the 2016 season there; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and up to five free consecutive days when staying at in-resort accommodations at Verbier, Switzerland. No restricted dates. A child pass (ages five to 12) is $419. The last day to purchase an Epic Pass is Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. Visit www.epicpas.com to purchase today.

For more information visit www.snow.com