Want to Ring in 2026 With Pow Turns? Here's Where to Be

Maybe it's just us, but we can't think of a better way to end the year than a few pow turns and a fun night.

Luckily, quite a few resorts have a good bit of snow in the forecast for New Year's, even after a slow start to the season. Much of the US West Coast has seen enough snow for resorts to start spinning lifts just before Christmas, with much more on the way.

Here are a few resorts with excellent forecasts in the near future and a fun event or two in the works for a top-tier New Year's celebration. Ring in 2026 on the slopes at these five ski areas.

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1. Grand Targhee, WY

There are few places as fun to ring in the New Year (or ski generally) as Grand Targhee, in Alta, Wyoming. The Idaho side of the Tetons is forecasted to get 17" of snow over Christmas and another 6" between December 27 and NYE. The ski area opened 100% of its lifts earlier this week, which means there's plenty of terrain to enjoy all that snow on.

For their New Year's celebration, Targhee will have its annual torchlit parade, fireworks, and a NYE rail jam from 4-6 pm. DJ Bernard Foyer will also be playing tunes at the Trap Bar until 12:30 a.m. It might sound like your 'standard' ski area NYE celebration, but if you've never experienced a good party at the Trap Bar, trust us, you don't want to miss out.

2. Whistler Blackcomb, BC

Whistler Blackcomb, which happens to be the biggest ski area in North America, is forecasted to get 31" of snow between December 22nd and 26th and another 29" between December 27th and 31st. Finally, Whistler could be ringing in 2026 with 58 inches of snow in the first five days of January. If skiing Whistler in a storm cycle like that isn't the best New Year's you can think of, Whistler is known in part for its epic party scene and endless activities in the Village. Catch fireworks, the famous Fire & Ice show, or dance the night away at the Longhorn when you're done shredding all that pow.

3. Mt. Baker, WA

In contrast to Whistler's wild party scene, you won't find a huge mountain village at the base of Mt. Baker, but you will find some of the deepest snow in the country next week. Mt. Baker officially opened for the season on December 22, 2025, with 100% of their chairlifts open. Over the last five days, an Atmospheric River dropped nearly 70" of snow on Mt. Baker, and another 28" is forecasted before Christmas.

Mt. Baker might see a lull going into New Year's Eve but should ring in 2026 with almost 50" in the forecast in the first five days of the year. If you're really committed, you can reserve a parking spot in the Mt. Baker lot and camp out for New Year's, so you start the year turns right out your front door.

4. Mt. Hood Meadows, OR

Mt. Hood is kicking off the ski season right in time to ring in the new year at Meadows. Mt. Hood will open for the season on December 23, 2025, thanks to 47" of snow in the last five days. Another 15" of snow is forecasted to fall around Christmas before a lull going into the end of the month. New Year's Eve and day should see a quick refresh before more snow picks back up early in the month. To top it off, Mt. Hood Meadows has a great New Year's Eve celebration planned with fireworks from the base area at 9 pm, a rail jam, a DJ playing 4 pm-10 pm, and lifts spinning until 10 pm for an extra hour of skiing.

5. Bolton Valley, VT

Vermont has had an incredible early season, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon! Bolton Valley, Vermont, is forecasted to get up to 20" of snow between December 22nd and Christmas for a nice, holiday refresh. Between Monday, December 29th, and New Year's Eve, Bolton could see another 16" of snow before ringing in 2026 with a couple of clear days.

To celebrate, Bolton is throwing a mountainside party, starting with Vista running until 6:30 pm and all other lifts closing at 7 pm. A torchlit parade will kick off festivities before the fireworks show at 7:30 pm. After the fireworks, head to Fireside, where a DJ will spin tunes until 1 am.