Where’s Best For A December Ski Holiday
Our Top Picks For Early Season Reliable Snow
Europe
Stubaier Gletscher, Austria’s largest glacier ski area, offers 70 km of groomed trails. While smaller, it provides more open runs than most ski resorts during early and late season. Advanced skiers can challenge themselves on the steep runs of Daunkopf, Daunscharte, and the 60% gradient “Dawnhill.” Though the glacier has nine surface lifts, modern chairlifts and gondolas have been added where possible, including the heated Rotadl chairlift.
Opening: September 29
Peak Elevation: 3,210m
Base Elevation: 1,750m
Highlights: Offers a great selection of hotels and quiet runs, ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers. Conveniently close to Innsbruck City for easy access.
Val d'Isere is one of France's top ski resorts and a world-class winter destination. Known for its appeal to expert skiers and snowboarders, it also caters to all levels with a vast range of terrain. Part of the Espace Killy, a massive ski area shared with Tignes, the resort sits at 1,850m, offering reliable snowfall. While the resort has upscale après-ski spots, hotels, and chalets, there are still options for those on a budget.
Opening: December 2
Peak Elevation: 3,488m
Base Elevation: 1,850m
Highlights: Skiing above 1,850m ensures excellent snow conditions. Enjoy diverse on-mountain entertainment, restaurants, and runs suitable for all levels.
Cervinia ski resort is set in a stunning high-altitude basin near the Matterhorn and is connected to Zermatt, forming Europe's highest ski area with 360km of pistes. Despite its dramatic setting, Cervinia is ideal for beginners and intermediates, offering mostly easy-to-moderate runs. Advanced skiers can head to Zermatt for steeper terrain, but beware of weather changes that can close the link. Missing the last lift back could mean a costly six-hour taxi ride from Zermatt.
Opening: October 26
Peak Elevation: 3,480m
Base Elevation: 2,050m
Highlights: Perfect for intermediate skiers with wide ski slopes and popular runs extending to Valtournenche and the Swiss border.
North America
Snowbird offers incredible "steep and deep" skiing, with over 400 inches of snow burying most trees. Early in your visit, take a free mountain tour with a guide to explore the terrain. Tours start at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. daily from the plaza deck. The season usually starts by early December, with snowmaking ensuring some runs are open by Thanksgiving, though mostly for advanced skiers until the big snowfalls arrive.
Opening: November 24
Peak Elevation: 3,350m
Base Elevation: 2,365m
Highlights: Excellent selection of runs, ideal for powder enthusiasts. Receives around 500 inches of snow annually.
Sun Peaks Resort, located in British Columbia's Interior, is Canada’s second-largest ski area with 4,270 acres of diverse terrain spread across three mountains: Mt. Tod, Sundance, and Mt. Morrisey. The resort features a European-style ski-through village with hotels, restaurants, and shops. Sun Peaks offers 135 alpine trails and 34 km of Nordic trails, catering to all skill levels with 10% beginner, 58% intermediate, and 32% advanced terrain. It also boasts a 10-acre terrain park, glades, steeps, and bowls, plus 6 meters of light, dry powder annually.
Opening: November 19
Peak Elevation: 2,515m
Base Elevation: 1,198m
Highlights: Wide runs perfect for beginners and intermediates. Enjoys over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, a rarity in western Canada.
We hope these suggestions inspire your next ski adventure. Happy skiing!
