Another thing to love about life as a skier: New Year’s Eve. Sure, the holiday isn’t specifically about skiing, and snow-muggles everywhere celebrate NYE with plenty of love and style. But when you’re a skier, December 31 means more than just a calendar turn. In many mountain towns, New Year’s Eve explodes in vibrant reverence of, yes, the holiday, but also snow, winter, fellow skiers, fine beverages, and all things skiing.
Find yourself in just about any Colorado mountain town or resort village at the end of the month, and you won’t go wrong. Most places feature fireworks, torchlight parades (and skiing), toasts, and music. A few, however, take the holiday to the next level. Here’s a taste of what our favorite party hubs are offering for 2018.
Vail and Beaver Creek
“I’ve been in Vail the past two years for New Year’s Eve,” says Powder7 staffer Mike. “It gets rowdy.”
By the looks of Vail’s 2017-18 agenda, things aren’t slowing down. The Vail Ale House hosts Colorado-based bands The Drunken Hearts and The Grant Farm and pours complimentary champagne toasts at midnight in a party scheduled to run from afternoon ‘til morning. Not your scene? Check out the bash at Bridge Street Bar—your ticket gets you open bar until midnight, a DJ/dancefloor, and music from Scott Munns.
If you want a killer family-oriented itinerary, Beaver Creek’s New Year’s Eve program has been a favorite for years. A glow-stick ski, fireworks and torches, games, two balloon drops—kids and teens have plenty to do. Parents don’t have to compromise, either. Don’t miss the DJ and band, cocktails, and buffet at Sawatch Hall.
Breckenridge
One of Colorado’s favorite mountain towns, Breck does New Year’s Eve right. Explore the many happenings around town, and don’t miss Breckenridge Brewery’s Beer and Spirits Dinner, which kicks off with a welcome reception at eight. Five courses follow, each paired with a cocktail and a beer to help you pick your poison. Don’t worry too much about treating yourself. The Breckenridge Free Ride offers late-night service until 2:15 a.m.
Steamboat
Ride the gondola to the Thunderhead Lodge for Steamboat’s Korbel New Year’s Eve Party. When else do you get a dessert bar, fondue, DJ, and champagne mid-mountain? A dinner reservation at one of Steamboat’s on-mountain restaurants gets you free access to the bash. Otherwise, it’s 50 bucks.
Winter Park
Foot-stomp your way into 2018 with the New Year’s Eve Blues Show at Smokin’ Moe’s. The name of your musicians tells you all you need to know: Too Slim and the Taildraggers. Don’t forget the dancin’ shoes.
Aspen
If you’re looking to do it up for your friends and/or family and have some coin to spend, look no further than the Dom Perignon party. The exclusive celebration takes place at various locations throughout Chair 9. We’re talking open bar, bottomless Dom Perignon, Belvedere cocktails, multiple food stations, and five entertainers, including Jazz, Samba, and breakdancers. For an ultra-exclusive experience, you can hire a snowcat for a private fireworks viewing from a secluded location.
Crested Butte
Celebrate at the Umbrella Bar, cross-country ski to a yurt, roam downtown—Crested Butte doesn’t know how to be average. If you find yourself anywhere in the vicinity of this classic mountain town, make the trip. Find more events here.
