Are Ski Resorts Open on Christmas?

by Simon Naylor | Updated: October 27th, 2022 |  Skiing Articles

It’s challenging to find time off from school and work in the winter to enjoy skiing. One day most of us get off is Christmas. It is also a day that most people are with their families. With that in mind, if your family are all avid skiers, it would be ideal if ski resorts to be open on Christmas day.

The good news is that many ski resorts stay open through the holiday season, including Christmas Day and New Years Day. Just keep in mind that the operating hours could be slightly adjusted on those days. These are not only convenient days to ski because of the time off from work and school, but there are many other benefits to skiing on Christmas Day.

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Christmas Day Policies of Most Ski Resorts

While most ski resorts will be open on Christmas Day, it is a good idea to double-check their opening and closing hours. Remember that the employees at the resort were also hoping for the day off. Therefore, the hill may not be open early in the morning or late into the evening.

Because of the limited time that the lifts are open, skiers are often given a discount on the ticket.

All resorts have different policies regarding operating hours and prices on Christmas Day. Before you head to the hill, do your research so you can get the most out of your day and avoid any complications.

Why Should You Go Skiing On Christmas?

Skiing on Christmas Day is definitely the best day during the holiday season to ski. Because people stay home with their families that day, you can count on discounted tickets and smaller crowds. But here are a few other reasons you should be skiing on Christmas Day:

Tickets Can Be Cheaper

As mentioned above, many ski hills offer discounts for skiers and snowboarders on Christmas Day because of the time restraints on the day. If the ski resort you enjoy most doesn’t cut back on their hours, you could still benefit from discounts.

For example, you can often purchase tickets through Liftopia in advance and save money on your Christmas Day ticket. A few resorts even offer free skiing on Christmas Day.

Skiing is an expensive sport, especially if you don’t have season passes and want to include the whole family. Christmas day and other specified days around the holiday season give you an excellent opportunity to save money and enjoy the day without having to think about the price.

You Already Have the Day Off

While kids get a few weeks off from school to enjoy the fresh powder, many of us only get Christmas Day itself off from work. Why not use that free time to enjoy the snow and fresh air with your friends and family?

Many people use the time during the holiday season to get closer to their family and enjoy each other’s company. Skiing gives you the ideal setting to do that. There’s no better way to spend a day off with your loved ones than in nature doing what you all love.

The Slopes are Less Crowded

Most families are sleeping in, opening gifts, making breakfast, and watching Christmas movie marathons on Christmas Day. You can still squeeze in a few of those traditions without missing out on some great skiing. Since everyone else is at home, you’ll have the ski hill all to yourself.

Lines will be much shorter, the snow condition will be fresher and stay that way longer, and you can ski more freely without the worry of running into other skiers on crowded slopes.

That is one of the reasons why tickets are discounted or even free at some resorts. There are so few skiers on Christmas Day resorts do all that they can to encourage people to come ski. You’re guaranteed that even with these discounts, you will not have to wait long for the lifts or have any trouble finding a parking spot.

You’ll Quickly Burn Off Last Night’s Ham

We tend to get so relaxed in the wintertime when it comes to staying in shapes. Hearty dinners and delicious sweets are our main staples through the winter months. Why not break the habit for a day and work off that Christmas Eve dinner?

Skiing can help you burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories an hour, depending on your weight and your experience level. Going skiing on Christmas Day will get you out of that sluggish cycle where the holiday season likes to leave us.

It will also put you on track to get fit before the New Year even starts. Skiing will strengthen and engage your body’s lower muscles, engage your core, and increase your flexibility.

Use the Time to Reflect

As Christmas marks the end of a year, most people find themselves reflecting on the last year and anticipating the next. There is no better place to clear your head and count your blessings than in the cold mountain air.

Since there are fewer people on the mountain, you can take your time to relax and think about the important things without the worry of holding people up.

Improve Your Mood

Christmas can also be a difficult time for some individuals because it reminds them of family members who have passed, and many tend to feel lonely.

If you fall into that category, rather than sulk, the best thing you can do is get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise. The boost of endorphins will make you feel better about the day, and you may find that it becomes a day that you look forward to each year.

Thankfully, most ski resorts are open on Christmas Day even if only for a few hours. Why not take advantage of the discounted tickets, the time off from work, and the less crowded resorts? Make Christmas Day skiing a tradition with your family and make memories that they’ll never forget.

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