Holiday guide. December, January, February, March.
Where to go for Winter Break Ski Trips
Four holiday weeks, every family on the same lifts. Pick the resort by the snow and the calendar, not the brand name.
The straight answer
The best winter break ski trips are Utah, Colorado's high resorts, and Jackson Hole for reliable snow over Christmas and Presidents' week, Hokkaido for January powder, and the Alps or Banff for a bigger trip; ski the quiet weeks in January or early March if you can.
The best winter break ski trips go where the snow is most reliable for your specific week: high-altitude Utah and Colorado for Christmas week, Utah's Wasatch, Jackson Hole, and Hokkaido for January powder, and the big Western resorts, the Alps, and the Canadian Rockies for Presidents' week and March. Early December and late March trips are only safe at high elevation.
The hard truth is that the ski calendar and the school calendar collide. Christmas to New Year's week is the single busiest and most expensive week of the ski season at nearly every major resort in North America. Presidents' week is a close second, especially in New England, where many Northeast districts take the whole week off. MLK weekend packs the Western resorts closest to big cities.
If you have any flexibility, ski the weeks between the holidays. The first three weeks of January (after New Year's, outside MLK weekend) and early March have better snow than December and dramatically shorter lift lines. Homeschool families should ski midweek in January: it is the best-value, best-snow window of the season.
The world, ranked for Winter Break Ski Trips
Each pick opens its December page, with weather, crowds and what is on.
Book Hokkaido for Winter Break Ski Trips.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for December
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in HokkaidoOpens a hotel search for Hokkaido in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in HokkaidoWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in HokkaidoTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Hokkaido for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Closer to home
The US picks for this week, from a long weekend drive to a national park.
Utah: Alta, Snowbird, Park City
Utah
Light, dry powder, several resorts under an hour from the Salt Lake City airport, and among the most reliable early-season snow in the West. Alta is skiers only.
Colorado: Vail, Breckenridge, Aspen
Colorado
High-altitude resorts with strong snowmaking make Colorado a safe Christmas bet. Breckenridge's base sits near 9,600 feet, so plan for altitude with kids.
Jackson Hole
Wyoming
Steep, deep, and less crowded than the Colorado giants. January and February bring the best snow; Christmas week is still busy.
Lake Tahoe and Mammoth
California
Big snow years are huge here, and the resorts run deep into spring. Weekends and holidays draw Bay Area and Los Angeles crowds, so ski midweek.
Big Sky
Montana
Lots of terrain and relatively few skiers per acre, even on holiday weeks. A strong Presidents' week pick.
Taos Ski Valley
New Mexico
Steep terrain, a sunny Southwest climate, and a strong ski school. Snow depends heavily on the year; February and March are usually best.
Vermont: Stowe, Killington, Sugarbush
Vermont
The best skiing in the East, within driving distance for much of the Northeast. Presidents' week is the busiest of the year here, and early season snow can be thin.
Sun Valley
Idaho
Classic Western resort with excellent grooming and far shorter lines than the big-name resorts in Colorado.
Skip this week
- Big resorts over Christmas week without a reservation. Christmas to New Year's is the busiest week of the ski season: lodging books a year ahead, ski school fills, and rental and lesson prices peak.
- Lower-elevation resorts in early December. Early-season snow can be thin, and many runs may be closed or on man-made snow. Choose high-altitude resorts for any trip before Christmas.
- New England during Presidents' week. Many Northeast school districts take the whole week, so lift lines and lodging rates at Vermont and New Hampshire resorts hit their peak.
- The Alps during European school holidays. Christmas week and the staggered February half-term holidays across the UK, France, and Germany fill the lifts. Late January and early March are the quiet windows.
The booking playbook
- 01Buy a season or multi-resort pass (Epic, Ikon, or similar) early in the fall if you plan more than a few days. Buying lift tickets at the window over the holidays is the most expensive way to ski.
- 02Book Christmas and Presidents' week lodging a year out. Ski-in, ski-out places near the lifts sell first.
- 03Reserve ski school and rentals when you book lodging; holiday weeks sell out.
- 04Ski the weeks between the holidays when you can. Mid January and early March have better snow and far shorter lines than Christmas week.
- 05Buy travel insurance that covers weather-related flight delays. Mountain airports like Jackson, Vail, and Aspen can close in storms.
With kids in tow
- For beginners, a resort with a strong ski school and a separated learning area matters more than the size of the mountain.
- Plan for altitude with kids at Colorado and Utah resorts: hydrate, take the first day easy, and sleep at the lowest elevation you can.
- Homeschool families: midweek in mid January is the best-value, best-snow window. Lift lines are short and lessons are almost private.
- Book ski school for kids by the week, not the day, over holidays. It fills early and the daily rate is higher.
Winter Break Ski Trips, quick answers
What is the best ski resort for Christmas week?
High-altitude resorts with strong snowmaking are the safe bet: Utah's Cottonwood Canyon resorts, Colorado's Vail, Breckenridge, and Aspen, and Jackson Hole. Book a year ahead.
When is the best time for a family ski trip?
The first three weeks of January outside MLK weekend and early March. The snow is better than December and lift lines are much shorter than the holiday weeks.
Where is the best powder in January?
Hokkaido, Japan, gets some of the most consistent powder in the world in January. In the US, Utah's Alta and Snowbird and Jackson Hole are top picks.
Is Presidents' week a busy ski week?
Yes, one of the busiest of the season, especially in New England where many schools take the whole week off. Western resorts are busy too.
Is early December a good time to ski?
Only at high elevation. Early-season snow is often thin, and lower resorts may run only a few trails. Choose Utah, Colorado, or glacier resorts in the Alps.
Other holiday weeks
Christmas Week
December
The most expensive, most crowded week of the travel year. Go somewhere Christmas is the whole point, or somewhere Christmas is not a thing at all.
Presidents' Day Weekend
February
The peak of the ski season and the Caribbean high season in the same week. Pick your warm or your snow early, or pick the week after.
MLK Weekend
January
The first long weekend of the year lands in the dead of winter. Go chase sun, powder, or the history the holiday is named for.
Spring Break
March, April
The week the whole country goes somewhere warm at the same time. Pick the right warm, or pick a different week.
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