This time of year is overwhelming. We get it. While the idea of skiing over the holidays is enticing, it can be a gamble to figure out where to go. And with so many paid promotions, how can you tell what’s true in this wild world anymore? Fear not reader, for we have you covered! This is our unbiased collection of destinations across North America where we think you’ll have the most fun this holiday season. No dollar signs here. We’re serious, these resorts didn’t pay anything. We just thought you’d like to know where we would go if we were in your shoes.

Behold the FREESKIER-approved best destinations to ski this holiday season. These are places where you can go to find good times and clean turns over the next few weeks. We picked our favorites for each of the following three regions: East Coast, Central Rockies and Pacific Northwest. We based these choices on their accessibility, base depth, forecast and upcoming events at the resort. Don’t forget to check out our ‘Hail Merry’ destinations if you’re really looking to chase the deepest snow on the planet.

We utilized Open Snow wherever applicable for snow information and data, and we recommend you do to! Trusted by casual skiers and industry pros alike, Open Snow is easy to use for snow info around the world.

East Coast

Despite recent rainy weather, the forecast is looking better for our friends out East. All the resorts below are back to full-scale snow making and have plenty of lifts and runs open. Terrain parks and groomers are firing along the Atlantic coast. Ski the East baby!

Stowe, VT

Sugarbush, VT

Cannon Mountain, NH

Central Rockies

Snow levels are varied across the US interior, but for the most part, mountains are consistently opening up more and more terrain. Alta, UT, leads the lower 48 in most snowfall this season. These resorts have lifts spinning, plenty of open terrain and a surefire list of great events on the horizon. Plus, the forecast calls for lower temps and snow all around over the next two weeks.

Alta, UT

Steamboat, CO

Big Sky, MT

Jackson Hole, WY

Pacific North West

The PNW has been a tossup thus far, with some bigger storms followed by precipitation and dry spells. If you’re headed this way, these two destinations are a must. Both Whistler Blackcomb and Mount Hood Meadows have snow in the forecast, with Whistler getting ready for a BIG week of snow. Like nearly everywhere in Washington and Oregon, Mount Hood is continuing to monitor conditions. But with two terrain parks and six lifts spinning, if you time it right, it will be as good of a time as any.

Whistler Blackcomb, BC

Mount Hood Meadows, OR

Hail Merry Destinations

At the buzzer, let it fly! These are our Hail Merry destinations for the 2023 holiday season. Insane snow and world-class destinations. That’s the name of the game. If you’re willing it drop everything and chase the powder, these are the spots you should consider blasting to.

Alyeska, AK

Base Depth: 92″
Forecast: 20″ projected for Christmas Eve Day with more scattered around. Possibly a 30″ Christmas weekend for the Alaskan freeride gem!
Upcoming Events:
Live music on December 23, 29 and 30, great parties, plus SNOW. A SH*T TON OF SNOW.

Literally Anywhere in the Austrian Alps

Base Depth: Very deep. Be mindful of persistent weak layers and monitor local avalanche conditions.
Forecast: Pretty much bottomless (72″ projected December 21 through 30) !!! Much of Europe, from Italy to Switzerland, has been seeing stellar snow. Now, most of the Austrian Alps are about to get nuked on once again. Get there if you can. Be safe with so much fresh snow.

Silverton Heli Ski Guides, Alaska