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The snow is already falling at a few of the prime mountain locations all over the world, blanketing the peaks in a tender, fluffy layer, laying the muse for all of the epic turns to come back. And whereas all the winter season is right for snowboarding, there’s one thing further particular about visiting a mountain city through the festive season.
From late November to early January — and generally past — skiers and boarders will discover loads of seasonal attraction at resorts all around the globe (suppose: village markets, torchlight parades, and Santa visits).
Whether or not you are searching for neighborhood occasions to have fun along with your fellow revelers, quieter moments to mirror on the 12 months passed by or what’s to come back, or Christmas markets to get you within the vacation spirit — or some mixture of all three — there is a mountain on the market for you.
Listed here are 11 locations the place the vacation season meets pristine powder, making for one excellent ski getaway.
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
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“It actually doesn’t get any higher than Aspen,” Dan Sherman, chief advertising and marketing officer of Ski.com, shared with Journey + Leisure. “One in every of my favourite issues to do in Aspen over the vacations is simply stroll round. The mall is filled with lights in each nook and cranny, and the vibe is as festive because it will get.” As Sherman defined, the city additionally places on loads of live shows and on-mountain celebrations just like the torchlight parade, a number of tree-lighting ceremonies, and maybe better of all, “nice snow.” There’s additionally the annual 12 Days of Aspen celebration, so be sure you examine the occasions calendar earlier than your go to.
Zell am See, Austria
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Zell am See will get rather less consideration than close by Kitzbühel, however that does not imply it’s best to overlook it for a European ski getaway — particularly through the vacation season. The city is pure magic all through the winter, and through the festive season, it hosts its personal Christmas market, the place guests should buy domestically made crafts, sip mulled wine, benefit from the carolers, and even take a horse-drawn carriage journey for the last word Hallmark impact.
Chamonix, France
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In response to Sherman, “Chamonix is a superb place to spend the vacations. Juxtaposed towards Mont Blanc, the village is residence to a Christmas market providing distinctive items, vacation meals, music, and quite a lot of occasions.” He added, considered one of his favourite issues about spending the vacation season in Chamonix is the power to “simply jump over to Switzerland or Italy for the day to get a completely totally different cultural expertise. Or, you may keep put and luxuriate in how every distinctive tradition blends into the quaint French city of Chamonix.”
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
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Cortina d’Ampezzo is gearing as much as host the 2026 Winter Olympics — and that is exactly why now’s the best time to go earlier than the remainder of the world descends on this spectacular place. Throughout the vacation season, vacationers will discover Christmas markets that includes Italian artisans, meals, and festive decor. And, as a result of the neighborhood is well-known for its upscale environment, there’s loads of high-end purchasing right here, too.
Megève, France
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If the city of Megève sounds acquainted, that is as a result of it was featured within the newest season of Emily in Paris. The charming neighborhood, situated in southeastern France, goes all out for the vacations, with a tree lighting competition, Christmas market, and even Santa encounters.
Vail, Colorado
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Discover somewhat extra festive enjoyable in Colorado at Vail Ski Resort. “The Tyrolean-inspired villages are adorned completely every vacation season, and every part from the snowboarding to the boutique purchasing makes Colorado’s largest ski resort among the best to name residence for the vacations,” mentioned Sherman. “Sometimes, Vail hosts quite a lot of festive actions, together with a tree lighting, the New 12 months’s Eve Torchlight Ski Down, and, after all, fireworks.”
Saas-Charge, Switzerland
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Saas-Charge presents a quintessential Swiss vacation expertise with an enthralling Christmas market and people all-important fondue dinners. The car-free village is right for these eager to stroll round and benefit from the twinkling lights and adorned chalet-style lodges in between attending Christmas occasions like ice-skating exhibits and vacation live shows.
Pas de la Casa, Andorra
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Pas de la Casa in Andorra might not be as large or glitzy as different mountain getaways on this checklist, but it surely greater than makes up for it with its enjoyable vacation occasions. Only a quick drive away, friends can go to the Christmas Village market in Andorra la Vella. Do not miss the on-mountain occasions, too, together with the arrival of Father Christmas, the switching on of the lights, and a particular midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
Innsbruck and Igls, Austria
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As Sherman defined, Innsbruck is not simply nice locations to ski; it is also notable as a result of “the Innsbruck Christmas markets provide quite a lot of choices, every with their very own persona. Guests can take pleasure in brass bands, glowing lights, glass-walled stalls, and distinctive items.” Make your method to the town for these markets, then take the quick drive over to Igls for quieter slopes preferrred for these touring with children. And be sure you attend the Saint Nicholas Parade and Krampus Run in Igls — these on the good checklist get a small reward, whereas those that have been naughty can anticipate somewhat fright.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
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Whistler Blackcomb’s chilly climate and snowy circumstances make for a great vacation season getaway. On the resort, guests can watch (or take part in) the ice skating at Olympic Plaza, store the Arts Whistler market, and participate within the annual Gown Like Santa Day, the place skiers and snowboarders are invited to — because the identify suggests — gown up as Santa for an opportunity to win prizes on the slopes.
Stowe, Vermont
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Stowe, Vermont, as Sherman mentioned, “is likely one of the most charming locations on earth, not simply right here within the U.S.” The city is totally lit up in twinkling lights by the tip of November, whereas the mountain hosts a variety of festive occasions, together with tobogganing and a Christmas market. Sherman added, “In the event you had been to make a snow globe modeled after the excellent vacation ski city, it will seem like Stowe.”