Holiday crowd guide · updated 2026-11-07

Presidents' Day 2027 ski crowds (and Family Day in Canada)

Presidents' Day weekend is usually the single busiest weekend of the winter, and many schools follow it with a full week off (February vacation in New England and New York, ski week in California, mid-winter break in Washington). Family Day in BC, Alberta and Ontario lands on the same weekend. Dates: Feb 13–21.

Quick answer

Busiest day: Sat Feb 13. Least bad: Tue Feb 16. 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.

Vermont

Quieter pick in Vermont: Magic Mountain

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
KillingtonPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
StowePackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
SugarbushPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietQuietBusyPackedBusy
OkemoPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
Mount SnowPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
StrattonPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietQuietBusyPackedBusy
Jay PeakPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Smugglers' NotchPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Mad River GlenPackedBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Bolton ValleyPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
PicoPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
BromleyPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Burke MountainPackedBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Magic MountainBusyBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyQuiet

New Hampshire

Quieter pick in New Hampshire: Ragged Mountain

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Loon MountainPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
Bretton WoodsPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietQuietBusyPackedBusy
CannonPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Waterville ValleyPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
CranmorePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
AttitashPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
WildcatPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Mount SunapeePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
GunstockPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Ragged MountainPackedBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy

Maine

Quieter pick in Maine: Shawnee Peak

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Sunday RiverPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
SugarloafPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
SaddlebackPackedBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Shawnee PeakPackedBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Massachusetts

Quieter pick in Massachusetts: Jiminy Peak

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
WachusettPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietQuietBusyPackedBusy
Jiminy PeakPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy

New York

Quieter pick in New York: Gore Mountain

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
WhitefacePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Gore MountainPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Hunter MountainPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
Windham MountainPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietQuietBusyPackedBusy
BelleayrePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Holiday ValleyPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy

Pennsylvania

Quieter pick in Pennsylvania: Elk Mountain

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Seven SpringsPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
CamelbackPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Blue Mountain (PA)PackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Elk MountainPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Mid-Atlantic & South

Quieter pick in Mid-Atlantic & South: Sugar Mountain

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
SnowshoePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Sugar MountainPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Midwest

Quieter pick in Midwest: Lutsen Mountains

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Boyne MountainPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Lutsen MountainsPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Quebec

Quieter pick in Quebec: Le Massif de Charlevoix

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Mont-TremblantPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Mont-Sainte-AnneBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Le Massif de CharlevoixBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
StonehamBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Mont OrfordBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Mont SuttonBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
BromontPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Sommet Saint-SauveurPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy

Ontario

Quieter pick in Ontario: Horseshoe Resort

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Blue Mountain (ON)PackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Mount St. Louis MoonstonePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Horseshoe ResortPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Washington

Quieter pick in Washington: White Pass

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Crystal MountainPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
Stevens PassPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
Summit at SnoqualmiePackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
Mt. BakerPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
White PassPackedBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Mission RidgePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
49 Degrees NorthPackedBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy

Oregon

Quieter pick in Oregon: Hoodoo

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Mt. Hood MeadowsPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
TimberlinePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Mt. Hood SkibowlPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Mt. BachelorPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Mt. AshlandPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
HoodooBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyQuiet

Idaho

Quieter pick in Idaho: Brundage Mountain

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
SchweitzerPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Sun ValleyPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Bogus BasinPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Brundage MountainPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

British Columbia

Quieter pick in British Columbia: RED Mountain

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Whistler BlackcombPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Cypress MountainPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
RevelstokePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Big WhitePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Sun PeaksPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
RED MountainPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Grouse MountainPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Mt. SeymourPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Mount Washington AlpinePackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
SilverStarPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Kicking HorsePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
FerniePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
PanoramaPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Alberta

Quieter pick in Alberta: Marmot Basin

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Lake LouisePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Sunshine VillagePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Mt. NorquayPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
NakiskaPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Marmot BasinPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Montana

Quieter pick in Montana: Whitefish Mountain

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Big SkyPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Whitefish MountainPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Bridger BowlPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Wyoming

Quieter pick in Wyoming: Grand Targhee

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Jackson HolePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Grand TargheePackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Utah

Quieter pick in Utah: Brian Head

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
AltaPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
SnowbirdPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
BrightonPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
SolitudePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Park CityPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Deer ValleyPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
SnowbasinPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Brian HeadPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
SundancePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Colorado

Quieter pick in Colorado: Wolf Creek

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
VailPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Beaver CreekPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
BreckenridgePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
KeystonePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Arapahoe BasinPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Copper MountainPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Winter ParkPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
LovelandPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
EldoraPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
SteamboatPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
Aspen SnowmassPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietPackedBusy
TelluridePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Crested ButtePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Wolf CreekPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Monarch MountainPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
PurgatoryPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

Southwest

Quieter pick in Southwest: Taos Ski Valley

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Taos Ski ValleyPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Ski Santa FePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy
Arizona SnowbowlPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

California & Nevada

Quieter pick in California & Nevada: Bear Valley

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
Palisades TahoePackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
NorthstarPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
HeavenlyPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
KirkwoodPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Sierra-at-TahoePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Sugar BowlPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietQuietBusyPackedBusy
Bear ValleyPackedBusyBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Mt. RosePackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietBusyBusyBusy
Mammoth MountainPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
Big Bear Mountain ResortPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietBusyBusyPackedBusy
Mountain HighPackedPackedPackedQuietQuietQuietBusyPackedBusy

Alaska

Quieter pick in Alaska: Alyeska

MountainSat2/13Sun2/14Mon2/15Tue2/16Wed2/17Thu2/18Fri2/19Sat2/20Sun2/21
AlyeskaPackedPackedBusyQuietQuietQuietQuietBusyBusy

How to beat the Presidents' Day & Family Day 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 Presidents' Day & Family Day?

Presidents' Day & Family Day is one of the busiest periods of the ski season. SkiWhen expects Sat Feb 13 to be the busiest day, with the most popular mountains near big cities filling up first.

What is the best day to ski over Presidents' Day & Family Day?

Tue Feb 16 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.