Festive Events, Promotions, and Santa Sightings in Store for Holidays in the High Country
As the days grow shorter and the snow gets deeper, Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) resorts are ready to ring in the winter holidays with lodging packages, fun family activities, and a variety of festive events. Featuring sleigh rides and ice skating, holiday fine dining on the mountain, skiing with Santa in his natural high alpine habitat, and New Years fireworks galore, guests at Colorados ski resorts can celebrate the winter holidays as they were meant to be experienced.
Following are highlights of some of the holiday activities and programs visitors to CSCUSA resorts can enjoy in the coming weeks:
Arapahoe Basin
Santa at A-Basin, December 19
Skiers and snowboarders can come celebrate Christmas a few days early with the A-Basin family. Santa is rumored to be making an appearance from 10:00am-12:00pm in the base area and will be taking some turns with his elf and anyone who wants to join him. The Summit Chorale Society will be spreading cheer throughout the Base Area Plaza and A-Frame with Christmas Carols from 10am-12pm.
New Years Eve in the Mountains, December 31
Limited seating remains for this special installment of A-Basins Moonlight Dinner Series. Guests can ring in 2016 with a gourmet dinner by Chef Christopher Rybak in a beautiful mountain setting featuring seafood appetizers and entrees of beef and lobster. Participants will celebrate New Year’s Eve with New York at 10:00p.m. MST with live music, a glass of champagne, party favors and a balloon drop. This is a lift-serviced only event; guests are not permitted to snowshoe before or after dinner. Cost is $100 plus tax and is inclusive of gratuity. Adult (13+). For more information please call 888-ARAPAHOE or visit www.arapahoebasin.com.
Aspen Snowmass
The Twelve Days of Aspen, December 20-31
Downtown Aspen celebrates the 12 Days of Aspen with everything from free ice skating, tree lighting ceremonies, a visit with Santa and his live reindeer, holiday card making, cookie decorating, ugly sweater aprs, santa paws yappy hour for dogs, specialty Christmas dinners and more. The celebration finishes on New Years Eve with two fireworks shows over Aspen Mountain amid prix fixe dinners and free flowing champagne parties. For more information, visit www.aspenchamber.org.
New Years at The Little Nell
Featuring bottomless Dom Perignon, an open bar, food stations replenished throughout the night, and three musical acts Project M will play in Chair 9, while electric violinist Katarina Visnevska and DJ Valida perform together in the Dom Perignon Lounge at element 47. The party goes from 10 p.m. 1:30 a.m. with a fireworks display over Aspen Mountain at midnight. For more information, visit https://www.thelittlenell.com/aspen-experience/events/nye-party.
Santas Magical Village at Snowmass
The North Pole comes to the Snowmass Village Mall and Base Village as Santas Magical Village opens to hear the last minute requests of good girls and boys. Complimentary photos with Santa are offered December 21-24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Carolers will stroll through the Mall and Base Village singing Holiday favorites December 23-24. Children with last-minute Christmas wishes can make sure Santa hears all about them by dropping off a note in his personal letters to Santa mailbox located on the Snowmass Village Mall, from December 6-24.
Snowmass Torchlight Parade and New Years Eve Fireworks
Participate in a Snowmass family favorite, the free Torchlight Parade with fireworks on New Years Eve, Thursday, December 31. Anyone eight years or older is invited to be part of the trail of lights down the mountain. The free Torchlight Parade starts at 5:15 p.m. and the New Years Eve Fireworks on Fanny Hill start at 10 p.m. For more information about holiday festivities at Aspen Snowmass, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
Copper Mountain
Christmas at Copper, December 24
Christmas Eve brings along yet another visit from Santa himself, along with a childrens Glowstick Pageant and a Torchlight Parade down the Main Vein trail. This is a chance for guests to meet Santa and enjoy holiday festivities in Burning Stones Plaza. Before you head home to set out the milk and cookies for old St. Nick, enjoy a festive fireworks display over the mountain.
New Years Eve Celebration, December 31
Say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016 with the USASA Rail Jam, a childrens Glowstick Pageant, Torchlight Parade and of course a mountain-side fireworks display. When the outdoor activities are over, guests can put the little ones to bed and head indoors to their favorite Copper Mountain bar/restaurant for drink specials, live music and other festivities all night long.
New this year, Copper will be offering an exclusive on-hill Moonlight Dinner. Guests can take the American Eagle chairlift up to Solitude Station and enjoy a fine dining experience. Post-dinner board or ski down the mountain by moonlight and gather for a celebratory cocktail in Center Village. For more information about holiday events at Copper, visit www.coppercolorado.com.
Crested Butte
Grandest Christmas Package
Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR)s Grandest Christmas package features four nights of lodging at The Grand Lodge and three days of skiing or riding at CBMR for a family of four (2 adults and 2 kids 17 and under) for $1049, plus tax and fees. Dazzling twinkle lights line Elk Avenue, ice sculptures adorn the base area, and crowds gather for the Torchlight Parade as skiers wind down the mountain on Christmas Eve. The Grand Lodge is located just 200 yards from the chairlift, making first tracks on Christmas morning a definite possibility. To book, visit http://www.skicb.com/deals or call 844-993-9545.
Light Up the Night, December 11-12
Light Up the Night weekend kicks off the 12 Days of Cheer in town on Friday, December 11. The parade will start at 5:00 pm and culminate with a tree lighting. The fun continues on Saturday, December 12 in the Lodge at Mountaineer Square for some holiday cheer. The S’mores station starts at 5:00 pm and the tree lighting happens at 5:30 pm, followed by photos with Santa.
Santa Day, December 12
Crested Butte Mountain Resort is sponsoring a “Santa Ski and Crawl” in hopes of breaking the Guinness Book of World Records for the most number of skiers in full Santa costumes. Santa crawlers need to be decked out in a full Santa suit in order to participate. CBMR is offering $27 lift tickets for those in full costume and lodging deals for participants when booking with Crested Butte Vacations (888-879-7317). After the group ski, a pub crawl will start on the mountain and finish at various watering holes in downtown Crested Butte. More information visit www.cbsantacrawl.com
Christmas Eve at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, December 24
Resort guests can watch Santa come down the mountain in a sleigh pulled by a snowcat and then stay to watch the Crested Butte Ski and Ride School perform their famous torchlight parade down the front side of the mountain.
Christmas Dinner at Uleys Cabin, December 25
Uleys Cabin is an epicurean adventure in Crested Butte and is hosting a special Christmas meal to bring good cheer. Guests will board a sleigh ride to a cabin nestled in the woods, where a four-course meal and a roaring fire await. With a menu of roasted chestnut soup, winter green salad and a choice of Colorado venison, beef tenderloin or a roasted half duckling and finishing with a house made Scottish toffee cake, the evening will be one to remember. Reservations can be made at www.skicb.com/uleys. For more information about holiday events and promotions at Crested Butte, visit www.skicb.com.
Eldora
Hit the Slopes with Santa at Eldora
Skiers and snowboarders can come on up to Eldora Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to enjoy fun on the trails with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Santa will also have treats for all the good boys and girls and Eldora will be hosting its 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater and Elf Costume Contest. Guests who bring their best Ugly Sweater or Elf Costume on Christmas Eve Day have a chance at winning a Season Pass. For more information, visit www.eldora.com.
Loveland
Ski and Ride Loveland with Santa
Skiers and snowboarders who venture to Loveland around Christmastime can find themselves riding the lifts and slopes with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visit www.skiloveland.com for more information.
Monarch
Santa Skis (or Rides) Monarch on Christmas Eve
Parents can bring the kids up to Monarch on Christmas Eve to meet Santa and spend a day on the mountain.
Torchlight Parade and Fireworks
Join Monarch for its annual Torchlight Parade & Firework show, with family-friendly festivities from 4 p.m. to dark and the torchlight parade starting at dusk. For more information, visit www.skimonarch.com.
Powderhorn
Powderhorn Mountain Resort will be hosting its annual Torchlight Parade and Fireworks on New Years 
Eve. This is a free event for anyone to come and watch. The resort will have live music and drink specials all evening. In addition, guests canput their kids in Powderhorns Team Yeti Christmas Camp from December 28-31. All participants will finish the week with an awards party and participating in the New Years Eve Torchlight Parade. Cost is $149, and does not include rentals or lift tickets. For more information, visit www.powderhorn.com.
Purgatory Resort
Celebrate the Holidays with Friends and Family at Purgatory Resort in Durango
Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit the ski beach, arriving via horse-drawn sleigh so the reindeer can rest up, on Sunday, December 20. Guests will enjoy a special Christmas dinner buffet, live music, holiday kids movies, aprs ski hot cocoa and smores, Kids Night Out at the Den Childcare Center, and more throughout the holiday week.
New Years Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks
Purgatory Resort will usher in the New Year with a Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display, as well as a celebration for kids at 10:00 pm with party favors, and a celebration at midnight for adults with live music and a New Years Eve toast.
Resort guests can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, alpenglow snowshoe tours with spectacular views, dog sledding, and more fun on the snow. For more information and packages, visit www.skipurg.com.
Ski Granby Ranch
Winter Wonderland, December 24 January 4
Granby Ranch is hosting Winter Wonderland December 24 through January 4. On Christmas Eve guests can ride the slopes with Santa from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. or visit him at the base from 12:45-2:45 p.m. Following a day of skiing and snowboarding, visitors to Granby Ranch can celebrate Christmas Eve with a service at the Base Lodge at 5 p.m. From December 26-30, guests can extend their day with night skiing, smores by the fire pit, Elf Treasure Hunts, and fun gondola photo booth pictures.
New Years Eve Festivities, December 31
Ski Granby Ranch guests can ring in the New Year at a family dance party from 4:00-9:30 p.m. A glow stick parade, torchlight parade, and fireworks begin at 6 p.m.For more information, visit www.granbyranch.com.
Sunlight
Demo Days with Santa, December 20-21
Sunlight Mountain Resort hosts its annual Demo Days with Santa winter event on December 20-21. Guests have the opportunity to try new skis and boards for free while the kids visit with Santa. This is an opportunity to find the best Christmas present ever; for more information visit www.sunlightmtn.com.
Steamboat
Torchlight Parades and Fireworks, December 31
To ring in the New Year, the Steamboat Snowsports School treats guests to spectacular on-snow parades down the mountain lit only by torches. In conjunction with the torchlight parades, a fireworks display will illuminate the sky, providing a perfect ending to the evening.
Ragnars Holiday Sleighride Dinners, December 24-30
When the sun sets, the adventure begins with a nighttime gondola ride to a snowcat-driven sleigh ride under the stars and across the mountain to a spectacular Scandinavian five-course dinner in this secluded mountain retreat. Sleigh ride duration is 25 minutes.
Steamboat Holiday Festival, December 20
Resort guests can celebrate the holiday season Steamboat Style at gondola square, featuring Santa riding down the slopes on horseback. Guests can participate in the stocking scramble and collect free holiday treats at surrounding stores and restaurants. Additional festivities include a cookie decorating and a special holiday concert. The party continues after dark with a torch light parade and fireworks followed by night skiing.
Christmas Brunch / New Years Eve Dinner at Hazies
Guests at Steamboat can celebrate on top of the mountain and enjoy a fabulous Holiday brunch at Hazies Restaurant, featuring Hazies Eggs Benedict, Bourbon French Toast, Thick Cut Maple Bacon, Hand Carved Meats, Salads of the Summit, Soups, Fruits and Cheeses and a mouthwatering dessert display including their famous Chocolate Fountain.
In addition, on December 31 Hazies will be hosting a mountain top six course dining experience with complimentary admission to the Korbel New Years Eve Party. For more information, visit www.steamboat.com.
Telluride
Mountain Village Holiday Prelude
Mountain Village is being transformed into the North Pole for this years Holiday Prelude celebration during the weekend of December 11 13. The Mountain Village Holiday Prelude magic starts at the Oak Street gondola station where the free gondola is transformed into a Trip to the North Pole on Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12 from 3:00 6:00 pm. Take in the decorations and lights galore as elves send guests on their way to visit Santa in his workshop in Heritage Plaza.
Other activities taking place in Mountain Village include a free train ride throughout Mountain Villages festival of lights, and the North Pole on Ice professional skating performance on the Mountain Village Ice Rink outside of the Madeline Hotel and Residences. On Saturday (December 12), there will be free sledding and skating, and on Saturday night, families can participate in the Hotel Madeline Annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Skating Party. To conclude the weekend of holiday fun, the Palmyra Restaurant at the Peaks will be hosting a pajama breakfast with Santa.
Torchlight Parade
On Christmas Eve and New Years Eve there will be torchlight skiing parades to celebrate the season. For more information, visit www.tellurideskiresort.com.
Winter Park Resort
Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Show, December 24
A Christmas Eve tradition since 1978, the slopes of Winter Park will be aglow with the annual Torchlight Parade and fireworks show. The Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade is one of the most beloved Winter Park traditions. The event begins with Christmas carols around the bonfire at the base of Winter Park Resort, next to the Zephyr Lift at 4pm. At 5:30pm, a procession of torch-bearing skiers and riders begin their way down Lower Hughes trail, followed by Santa Claus and his merry helpers. A spectacular fireworks display and snowcats adorned with Christmas colors light up the slopes in a Christmas tree formation to conclude the festivities.
Immediately following the show at 6pm, visitors are welcome to attend Christmas Eve interdenominational services located in the lower level of the Balcony House and Catholic Church services located in West Portal Level 4. Services are scheduled to last about an hour.
Santa can also be found both in the Village as well as on the slopes in the days leading up to Christmas Eve. For more information, visit http://www.winterparkresort.com.
