Whether you’re a skier (or a ’boarder) or not, consider heading to a ski resort if you want to join in an all-out New Year’s Eve celebration. Skiing is such a competitive business, resorts pull out all the stops to attract people during the Christmas to New Year’s holiday week and this includes extravagant parties, fantastic entertainers, fun child-focused activities, and spectacular fireworks each New Year’s Eve.
The West has lots of snow and now there’s also snow in East so skiers have every reason to get out there and bring all the non-skiers with you to party hardy to welcome in 2011.
Le Massif in Quebec once again jumps the gun and has its Torchlight Parade on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 29. This parade isn’t necessarily to watch, but definitely to participate in. Come prepared with a headlamp to Le Massif’s Summit Chalet before 5 p.m., then take a thrilling guided descent, hopefully under the stars, to the base. A traditional supper at the Base Chalet is followed by entertainment by the Charlie Price Band.
Do something for others by bringing canned food items to share at Alta (Utah) on that last day of 2010 and that’s also the “price” to participate (if you’re an intermediate skier or better) in their Torchlight Parade, which begins at 6 p.m. The parade should be quite the spectacle as they expect at least 750 participants and it’s all followed by, what else, fireworks. Nearby Snowbird is holding its Torchlight Parade and Fireworks at the same time – free fun for all!
Get in the mood at Jackson Hole (Wyo.) at the Terra Café with a flute of champagne and tea sandwiches for $5 from 3:30-5 p.m. then either sign up the kids to ski in the Glow Worm Parade at 4:30 p.m. or head over to the traditional Torchlight Parade and Fireworks on Après Vous at 6 p.m. And how do warmed blankets over your lap sound as you head up to Couloir at more than 9000 feet for the Gondi-Gala New Year’s Eve Party?
There always seems to be a party in the self-contained Taos ski resort and New Year’s Eve is no exception. The torchlight parade and fireworks display starts at 6 p.m. at the base of Lift #1 with the countdown to the New Year immediately following in the Martini Tree Bar, which is hosting a “Jameson Irish Whiskey New Year’s Eve Celebration.” It’s advised to reserve your tickets ahead of time.
Mammoth Mountain, which has been blessed with the most snowfall of any ski resort so far this year, offers parties galore plus live entertainment and fireworks at 9 p.m. in the Village at Mammoth.
In the village of Banff (Alberta, Canada), which is surrounded by the ski resorts of Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine, the New Year’s Eve fireworks are at midnight and the best viewing is said to be from Banff Avenue.
And, according to aspendailynewsonline.com, Aspen “loves any reason to set off fireworks above Aspen Mountain.” They’ll be happening twice — at 8 p.m. and midnight — on New Year’s Eve above Little Nell run, and in addition to all of the happenings listed here, there will also be a bonfire and DJ at Wagner Park from 8 p.m. until midnight.
Focus on the youngsters
Since a ski trip is often a family event, chances of partying until the clock strikes midnight are quite slim and perhaps not even desired. Consider a family-oriented New Year’s instead.
Whistler (British Columbia, Canada) has a First Night celebration in its Village Square and Conference Center with musical performances, plays for children, skits and stand-up, plus entertainment from roving street performers. Get your tickets in advance – children aged 2 and younger are free – and it all starts at 6:30 p.m. with a musical extravaganza and fireworks capping the evening at midnight.
Always a hot spot for families, Waterville Valley (N.H.) actually has activities planned where you can drop off your kids – ages 4 to 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. and ages 7 to 12 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. – with the staff of the recreation department (pre-registration required). If that’s not your cup of tea, there’s horse drawn sleigh rides from the Town Square, indoor ice skating, design-you-own-jewelry, with fireworks over Corcoran’s Pond at 7:30 p.m. And for those who are kid-free, there’s a party at the Legend’s Pub with a DJ from 9 to 12:30 a.m. (they go to bed early in New Hampshire!).
Okemo (Vt.) plans an entire evening devoted to family activities including skating, snowshoeing, bingo and trivia, horse and wagon rides, cookie decorating and even dancing to music by a DJ. It all culminates with fireworks at 9 p.m.; best views from the Jackson Gore Courtyard.
Plan for a special Cranapalooza – yeah, that’s what they call it – at Cranmore (N.H.) to ring in the New Year that will start as early as 3 p.m. with all free and open to the public. Fireworks are at 7:30 p.m. so even the youngest can stay up for them and with night skiing, mountain coaster rides and tubing available, you can be sliding down the mountain actually under the fireworks.
Sugarloaf (Maine) says it’s the place to be for families for New Year’s Eve and they might just be right. They offer free entertainment for kids – Rodney Russell Stage Hypnosis; 9:30 p.m. fireworks on “The Beach;” and even a teen New Year’s dance for ages 13 to 19 designed (and supervised) to be just for fun.
And the good news when you celebrate New Year’s at a ski resort is that if you get up early the next morning, you’ll often find you almost have the ski slopes to yourself. But, even if you decide to sleep in, having New Year’s Eve on a Friday night means an extra day to recover before heading back to work or school. Have fun, but be safe!
After several decades working in a variety of jobs as a newspaper writer, event publicist, communications specialist, and marketing director, Karen Cummings is now “retired” and working on Travelers United’s social media and newsletters in addition to occasionally contributing a travel-related article to TU’s blog. She lives close to her family in Fryeburg, Maine, and travels as often as she can.
