As a rule, New Year’s Eve is generally one of the most overrated events of the year: everything is overpriced, we all have to stay up in a celebration of forced fun, and someone always ends up crying before midnight.
However. This rule doesn’t apply when it comes to ski towns – because the snow is generally falling, the après parties get turned up an extra notch or 12, and ski resorts never skimp on fireworks.
Check out these cool New Year’s Eve events in equally cool ski towns this winter for a New Year’s Eve you’ll remember (depending on how many martinis you imbibe first).
The in crowd at Sun Valley
Sun Valley is considered the birthplace of skiing in the US, so it’s fitting that it hosts the New Year’s Bubbly Bash to beat all bashes – and all to benefit the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.
This year’s theme is ‘party like a rock star’, so channel your inner Bruce, Jon Bon and Suzi Q and head to the iconic Sun Valley River Run Lodge to enjoy free champagne from 9 to 10pm, as well as a midnight toast, all to the soundtrack of popular DJ Lady Sinclair and her live band of drummers, horn players and even an electric violin. Just buy your tickets in advance – they go faster than free champagne – and join the resort’s favourite people on their favourite night out of the year.
SnowGlobe Music Festival, South Lake Tahoe
What do you get when you combine some big-name musicians with some of the best skiing in the world? You get the SnowGlobe Music Festival, taking place in South Lake Tahoe on December 29-31, 2018.
Try seeing artists such as Diplo, Eriz Prydz, Gorgon City and Above & Beyond, then head to nearby Heavenly Mountain Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort or Sierra-at-Tahoe for on-slope time to kick off the new year. Just be sure to have those legs feeling nice and strong – you’re going to need it for all that dancing and skiing or boarding.
Private New Year’s snow cat in Aspen
Did anyone say private snowcat for New Year’s, complete with Veuve Clicquot? That’s right – the Aspen experience to beat all Aspen experiences is here.
Clicquot Cats begins with a private snowcat ride for your party of 12 and will take you to the top of Little Nell ski run for an unrivaled view of the fireworks show, along with plush blankets and a dedicated server pouring – what else – Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame.
Plus you can indulge in caviar, savoury hors d’oeuvres and sweet treats. Choose from 7pm or 11pm seatings and enjoy.
Dom darling at The Little Nell, Aspen
Still in Aspen and looking for an event of a grander scale? Don’t go past The Dom Pérignon Party at The Nell.
Featuring bottomless Dom Pérignon, a top-shelf open bar and insanely decadent food stations replenished throughout the night.
Add The Manhattan Party Band playing in the Belvedere Lounge, DJ Cyn spinning in the Dom Pérignon Lounge and The Flatirons Jazz Band taking over the Hennessy Lounge, count down the moments until midnight among some of Aspen’s most luxe crowd at the hottest event of the season.
Kids first then adults at Whistler
Whistler’s family-friendly vibe is perfect for New Year’s Eve when you have kids to entertain. Kick off the fun by taking them to Olympic Plaza for an expanded Family Après, then check out the High-Flying Snow Show starting at 7:30pm, followed by an incredible set of fireworks at 8pm.
Then make sure you stay up late for a Special Edition Fire & Ice Show. This Whistler favourite, which runs regularly throughout the regular winter season, features some seriously impressive stunts that’ll have you starting the new year with literal fire, topped off with a grand finale fireworks show at midnight.
For those interested in the adult-only events, there are about a million New Years parties happening across the mountain, and our pick is the masquerade ball at Buffalo Bills. Your ticket includes a mask, so dress to impress, put on your disguise and bring in midnight with a champagne toast. Or find any other one of the parties on the mountain here.
Off the grid in the Champsaur Valley, Southern French Alps
French adventurers looking for a seriously unique New Year’s this one is for you. Undiscovered Mountains are offering up a night in a mountain shelter in a remote part of the alpine.
You’ll snowshoe your way up to the shelter and collect wood and water before embarking on a nature walk to spot wild boar, deer, foxes and more. And while there’s no electricity or wifi, you’ll still get to indulge in champagne and a luxury camping dinner, and wake up next to your most favourite person ever in the middle of the alps.
It’s all part of a winter activity holiday offered up with a range of snow-based activities, including ice climbing, skiing, dog sledding, climbing frozen waterfalls (what else?) and snowshoeing.
