Holiday crowd guide · updated 2026-11-07
Christmas & New Year's ski crowds 2026–27: when to go, when to skip
The week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest stretch of the whole ski season in the US and Canada. Schools are out everywhere at once, so even weekdays fill up. Dates: Dec 26–Jan 3.
Quick answer
Busiest day: Sat Dec 26. Least bad: Tue Dec 29. Smaller and farther-out mountains stay noticeably calmer than the big resorts closest to cities. These are calendar-based expectations; each day switches to a live forecast (with snow and weather) a week out.
VermontNew HampshireMaineMassachusettsNew YorkPennsylvaniaMid-Atlantic & SouthMidwestQuebecOntarioWashingtonOregonIdahoBritish ColumbiaAlbertaMontanaWyomingUtahColoradoSouthwestCalifornia & NevadaAlaska
Vermont
Quieter pick in Vermont: Magic Mountain
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killington | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Stowe | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sugarbush | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Okemo | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mount Snow | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Stratton | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Jay Peak | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Smugglers' Notch | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mad River Glen | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Bolton Valley | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Pico | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Bromley | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Burke Mountain | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Magic Mountain | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy |
New Hampshire
Quieter pick in New Hampshire: Ragged Mountain
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loon Mountain | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Bretton Woods | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Cannon | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Waterville Valley | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Cranmore | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Attitash | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Wildcat | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mount Sunapee | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Gunstock | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Ragged Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
Maine
Quieter pick in Maine: Shawnee Peak
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday River | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sugarloaf | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Saddleback | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Shawnee Peak | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
Massachusetts
Quieter pick in Massachusetts: Jiminy Peak
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wachusett | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Jiminy Peak | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
New York
Quieter pick in New York: Gore Mountain
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteface | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Gore Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Hunter Mountain | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Windham Mountain | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Belleayre | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Holiday Valley | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Pennsylvania
Quieter pick in Pennsylvania: Elk Mountain
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Springs | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Camelback | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Blue Mountain (PA) | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Elk Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Mid-Atlantic & South
Quieter pick in Mid-Atlantic & South: Sugar Mountain
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowshoe | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sugar Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Midwest
Quieter pick in Midwest: Lutsen Mountains
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boyne Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Lutsen Mountains | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
Quebec
Quieter pick in Quebec: Le Massif de Charlevoix
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mont-Tremblant | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mont-Sainte-Anne | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Le Massif de Charlevoix | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Stoneham | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mont Orford | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mont Sutton | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Bromont | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sommet Saint-Sauveur | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Ontario
Quieter pick in Ontario: Horseshoe Resort
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountain (ON) | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mount St. Louis Moonstone | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Horseshoe Resort | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Washington
Quieter pick in Washington: White Pass
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Mountain | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Stevens Pass | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Summit at Snoqualmie | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mt. Baker | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| White Pass | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Mission Ridge | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| 49 Degrees North | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
Oregon
Quieter pick in Oregon: Hoodoo
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Hood Meadows | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Timberline | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mt. Hood Skibowl | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mt. Bachelor | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mt. Ashland | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Hoodoo | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy |
Idaho
Quieter pick in Idaho: Brundage Mountain
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schweitzer | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sun Valley | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Bogus Basin | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Brundage Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
British Columbia
Quieter pick in British Columbia: RED Mountain
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistler Blackcomb | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Cypress Mountain | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Revelstoke | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Big White | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sun Peaks | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| RED Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Grouse Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mt. Seymour | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mount Washington Alpine | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| SilverStar | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Kicking Horse | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Fernie | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Panorama | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
Alberta
Quieter pick in Alberta: Marmot Basin
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Louise | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sunshine Village | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mt. Norquay | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Nakiska | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Marmot Basin | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
Montana
Quieter pick in Montana: Whitefish Mountain
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sky | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Whitefish Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Bridger Bowl | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Wyoming
Quieter pick in Wyoming: Grand Targhee
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hole | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Grand Targhee | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
Utah
Quieter pick in Utah: Brian Head
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alta | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Snowbird | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Brighton | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Solitude | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Park City | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Deer Valley | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Snowbasin | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Brian Head | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sundance | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Colorado
Quieter pick in Colorado: Wolf Creek
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vail | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Beaver Creek | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Breckenridge | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Keystone | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Arapahoe Basin | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Copper Mountain | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Winter Park | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Loveland | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Eldora | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Steamboat | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Aspen Snowmass | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Telluride | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Crested Butte | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Wolf Creek | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Monarch Mountain | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Purgatory | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Southwest
Quieter pick in Southwest: Taos Ski Valley
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos Ski Valley | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Ski Santa Fe | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Arizona Snowbowl | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
California & Nevada
Quieter pick in California & Nevada: Bear Valley
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palisades Tahoe | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Northstar | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Heavenly | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Kirkwood | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sierra-at-Tahoe | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Sugar Bowl | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Bear Valley | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Busy |
| Mt. Rose | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mammoth Mountain | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Big Bear Mountain Resort | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed | Packed |
| Mountain High | Packed | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
Alaska
Quieter pick in Alaska: Alyeska
| Mountain | Sat12/26 | Sun12/27 | Mon12/28 | Tue12/29 | Wed12/30 | Thu12/31 | Fri1/1 | Sat1/2 | Sun1/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alyeska | Packed | Packed | Busy | Busy | Busy | Busy | Packed | Packed | Packed |
How to beat the Christmas to New Year's crowds
- Be in the lot before the lifts open. The first two hours are the best skiing and the shortest lines.
- Pick the day, not just the mountain. The table above shows which days in the window look worst.
- Go smaller or farther. Mountains a bit farther from the city usually stay calmer.
- Check the drive. Holiday traffic and snow on the pass can add hours. See more tips.
Questions skiers ask
How busy are ski resorts on Christmas to New Year's?
Christmas to New Year's is one of the busiest periods of the ski season. SkiWhen expects Sat Dec 26 to be the busiest day, with the most popular mountains near big cities filling up first.
What is the best day to ski over Christmas to New Year's?
Tue Dec 29 looks least crowded. Arriving before the lifts open or skiing the afternoon after the morning rush also helps.
Are these crowd forecasts accurate?
They're estimates. Far-out days are based on the calendar (weekends, holidays, school breaks and each mountain's popularity). Inside a week, SkiWhen adds fresh snow and weather, which can change crowds a lot.
Opening dates and school breaks are estimates. Always check the resort before you go. See how SkiWhen predicts crowds.