Turkey Day Turns - Where to Ski on Thanksgiving

Featured Image: Lucas Herbert, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

The smell of mashed potatoes, green beans and roasted turkey is in the air... but our minds are elsewhere, and we know yours is too. You're here because you know ski season is ramping up and you want to find the best turns out there.

Snow conditions across North America are quite diverse. The experts are predicting that weather patterns will change in the very near future, but for now, some resorts are the clear winners in the battle of snowpack superiority. So when it comes to skiing on Thanksgiving, we've got our favorite resorts lined up across the country.

Check below for FREESKIER's top five resorts (in no particular order) for turkey day turns.

Mammoth Mountain

California

Winter has been in full swing at Mammoth Mountain for the last couple of weeks. While other parts of California are struggling to maintain consistent snowpack, Mammoth has had no shortage of natural snowfall as it emerges from a storm cycle that dropped 20" over the past 10 days.

Thanks to Ullr, the resort is open for riding from top to bottom, with more than 60 runs, 10 lifts and of course a few Mammoth Unbound features set up in the park. If you're on the West Coast, Mammoth is the place to be right now.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Colorado

The skiing in the heart of the Rocky Mountains is lackluster to say the least. However, from the I-70 corridor to the Wasatch Mountains, most resorts around Utah, Colorado and Wyoming can expect to see a promising storm cycle descend in the coming days, with precipitation and cold temps expected into the near future.

A-Basin is running on slim pickings right now, as far as terrain goes. But with five inches of snow over the last 24 hours and more on the way, look for additional runs to open soon, including the Molly Hogan learning area and the Lenawee lift, the latter of which would open the resort for top-to-bottom riding. Plus, a Thanksgiving Day Uphill Turkey Trot and the notably delicious food served at the Sixth Alley Bar and Grill are additional reasons to head to The Legend as November comes to a close.

Lake Louise Ski Resort

Banff, Alberta

Yes, we're aware that Canada doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving. But the skiing in Banff is too good to leave Lake Louise off our roster! A monster storm clobbered the area over the last seven days, with Lake Louise clocking nearly 30 inches of snow in the last five. The iconic Paradise Lift just started up today, Tuesday, November 25, meaning a handful of lucky Canadians are getting their share of what is potentially the best lift-served snow in North America at this very moment.

Lake Louise is operating seven chairlifts, serving up 50 runs and two terrain parks. The forecast doesn't look quite as promising as it does for the Central Rockies but consistent snow and cold temperatures are still on the horizon. If you're headed north for Thanksgiving, or if you're just a Canadian who wants to celebrate like an American, Lake Louise is a great pick for turns and turkey… if they’re serving turkey.

Jay Peak Resort

Vermont

It's been a record start to the season for Jay Peak. The Vermont resort is no stranger to deep snow, averaging 350 inches per season, but this November has been something else. According to OpenSnow they've logged over 70" in the last 15 days, and the resort's daily weather page notes that they've received 99 inches this season, as of November 25.

"We’re on pace to hit the 100-inch mark by Thursday night or Friday morning," the resort page continued, "which would make this the fastest we’ve reached that milestone in at least 25 years, maybe ever." If you're on the hunt for true Thanksgiving pow, Jay Peak is probably your best bet on the East Coast, or anywhere in the country for that matter. 

Killington Resort

Vermont

The only other resort on the East Coast that can potentially hold a candle to Jay Peak's opening, Killington is a great place for Thanksgiving skiing. Killington prides itself on having the longest season in the East, but that doesn't always mean pow on opening day. This year, however, has been one for the books.

The Beast is serving up four chairlifts and 29 runs (19 of which are groomed), amounting to 104 acres of riding. Those are late December numbers and to see that kind of terrain open before Thanksgiving is wild. But we aren't complaining! Plus, Killington's many kitchens are preparing for guests, with special meals planned for Thursday.