The Essential Ski Utah Holiday Season Guide

By Après Adam Dec 19, 2017
Holiday Season in upon us. And despite what you may have heard, we know how to have a good time in Utah. Follow the Après Adam Guide and send 2017 out in style.
The Essential Ski Utah Holiday Season Guide

Après Adam here to help you ring in the holidays, Utah-Style!
There'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glories of the
Christmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing, and hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year. (Especially in Utah).


The rumors about Utah are true, the Holiday Season is very different than anywhere else… it’s way, way better.

Across out great state, ski resorts, mountain towns, and neighboring metropolitan areas offer an endless array of opportunities to honor traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, Festivus, or whatever else you may choose to celebrate. With so much going on over the next two weeks, it’s hard to keep track of all of the options. As a 17-year veteran of Utah and a lifelong fan of any reason to celebrate, I am here to help you navigate the next twelve days on the slopes, with the family, or when you need to escape the family and share a sip of some holiday cheer with soon-to-be friends.

On-Piste Fun:

Let’s start with some on-the-snow fun this holiday season. Dress up as Santa and ski for free or join a torchlight parade. Or even just grab those powder boards and ski some of The Greatest Snow On Earth.

December 23:

December 24th (Christmas Eve):


December 25th (Christmas Day):

  • Solitude - Ski With Santa: Help Santa unwind on the slopes after a night of delivering presents. 
  • Snowbird - Santa Rides the Bird: Santa will take his sleigh one canyon south and will spinning Tram laps at The Bird
  • Alta - Christmas Day Mass: Attend Christmas Day Mass at Our Lady of the Snows before hitting the slopes.

December 30th:

December 31st:
  • Alta - Ski in a Torchlight Parade: Grab a torch and ski down Alta on New Year's Eve. A ten dollar donation to the Utah Food Bank is all that separates you from one of the best experiences of the holiday season.

Off-Piste Family Fun:

If the thought of skiing with a gasoline-soaked torch or sulphur-burning flare scares you and the kids, maybe check out these family-friendly activities. Photos with Santa, fireworks, and parades (all viewable from a safe distance) are everywhere.

December 24th (Christmas Eve):

December 30th:

December 31st (New Year’s Eve):


Apres-Ski Shenanigans For Adults:

Need a quick escape from friends and family during the holidays? I've got you covered. 

December 21st:December 22nd:

December 23rd:

December 26th:

    December 28th:
    December 29th:

    December 30th:

    December 31st:

    January 1st:


    The Après Adam Plan:

    What am I doing this holiday season? I’m glad you asked. Here’s my plan for making the best of the last 12 days of 2017.

    December 21st:

    • Sneak out of work early and ski some fresh snow at Solitude.
    • Check out the BrewSki and Cottonwood Cider Social at the Thirsty Squirrel.
    • Head up the canyon to Brighton for some night skiing.
    • Grab a drink at Molly Green's

    December 22nd:

    • Ski some leftover powder at Alta or Snowbird
    • Celebrate the start of Christmas weekend at The Alta Peruvian
    • Head down canyon to the Superbubble show at How Wallow
    • Back up to Park City, throw on some 80's ski gear and head the the Breakfast Klub show at The Cabin.

    December 23rd:

    • Work and afternoon laps at Deer Valley
    • Join the 5th Park City Fun Run to benefit Bears Ears National Monument.
    December 24th: 
    • Grab a Santa costume and ski for free at Snowbird.
    • Grab a drink at the Tram Club and the P Dog.
    • Uber back to Park City to watch the Santa Torchlight Parade.

    December 25:
    • Ski Park City Mountain or Deer Valley Resort.
    • Attend an impromptu Christmas Day Martini Party
    • Christmas dinner and cocktails with family and friends.

    December 26-30th:
    • Ski Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, Solitude, Brighton, and Beaver to avoid the crowds.
    • Make a trip to Eagle Point or Brian Head if a storm stays south of us.
    • Head up to Beaver Mountain if the storms stay north.

    December 31st: 

    • Book a room at the Alta Peruvian Lodge or The Cliff Lodge
    • Ski Alta and Snowbird.
    • Soak some tired muscles in the Cliff Lodge Spa
    • Sign up and ski in the Torchlight Parade at Alta
    • Celebrate New Year’s at the P Dog, the Sitzmark and the Tram Club.
    January 1st:
    • Start the new year off right at Powder Mountain
    • Dance in the New Year to Molly Hatchet at the Powder Keg 
    • Grab a Star Burger at the Shooting Star Saloon
    • Catch up on some much-needed sleep.

    There you have it. The Après Adam guide to the last ten days of 2017. Time to show up, preferably in costume, and try to make the most of a generally awful year. Let's send 2017 out with a bang!