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May, 2025

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Best least crowded mountain during Christmas

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bryann_carvo
Posts: 80 - Karma: 138
im looking to go up to Colorado (anywhere out west) for skiing this Christmas. What is the best mountain with little to no lift lines???
6 years ago
3 1
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LivingDaLife
Posts: 352 - Karma: 1,349
Stay away from the big resorts in Colorado, they'll all be super crowded for Christmas. Parks might be pretty empty because everyone who lives there has to work though, so if you just want to lap park you might be ok.
6 years ago
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5094 - Karma: 18,652
LivingDaLifeStay away from the big resorts in Colorado, they'll all be super crowded for Christmas. Parks might be pretty empty because everyone who lives there has to work though, so if you just want to lap park you might be ok.


All the park skiers passes are blacked out too right?

I'd look further north to make sure you get decent snow at Christmas, Montana, Idaho, BC.
6 years ago
7 0
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bryann_carvo
Posts: 80 - Karma: 138
Well I’m not really picky when it comes to snow cuz I’m used to skiing nothing but ice here on the east coast. What do u think about big sky, crested butte, or Revelstoke?
6 years ago
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-arc-
Posts: 943 - Karma: 3,319
Reve will be pretty busy in that holiday period but not sure how that compares to the States. If you're looking in BC, I'd recommend Whitewater or Red Mountain as far as sick terrain, great snow and tiny lines.
6 years ago
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12705 - Karma: 120,041
Step 1. Gather a list of ski resorts in North America, only within colorado and west of it (no one wants to ski east coast)
Step 2. search each resort name on google
Step 3. go to the resort with the least google search results

boom ez
6 years ago
11 1
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shinbangclan
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 7,552
LivingDaLifeStay away from the big resorts in Colorado, they'll all be super crowded for Christmas. Parks might be pretty empty because everyone who lives there has to work though, so if you just want to lap park you might be ok.


I think that would only work if the park had its own lift or tbar or lift line. Personally I wouldn’t want to take a lap and then wait at the bottom in line for 10 min to get back up.
6 years ago
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7424 - Karma: 79,452
Hit up snowy range in Wyoming.

That being said, Christmas day usually isn't too busy at most resorts, but you better make sure you hook the lifties and patrollers up with goodies when you're there.
6 years ago
8 1
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10062 - Karma: 76,214
Don't know much about other places but I've been to Targhee, Wolf Creek, and Powder Mountain. I'm guessing those probably don't get too busy. The key with Christmas is to not miss first chair. After a few hours of a place being open it can tend to get busier but probably not. Hope for a pow day and travel warnings to deter jerries.
6 years ago
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skicel
Posts: 216 - Karma: 616
Crested Butte could be pretty decent
6 years ago
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LivingDaLife
Posts: 352 - Karma: 1,349
hubbardsI think that would only work if the park had its own lift or tbar or lift line. Personally I wouldn’t want to take a lap and then wait at the bottom in line for 10 min to get back up.


Keystone has its own park lift, Breck's park lift is shared with beginners, so is probably a problem. Copper has the same problem. I've always worked the holidays, but Keystone's park usually isn't crowded at all.
6 years ago
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methscratchface
Posts: 1204 - Karma: 4,446
wolf creek. just do it. my first taste of skiing in the west as a young east coaster. great intro to western skiing. Playful wide open pow fields, not too intimidating, driest snow in colorado, good vibe, great food.
6 years ago
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,095
Copper mountain is the best kept secret in colorado besides wolf creek. Its lift lines are about 10% as long as brecks. Coppers village had a bit of a clash going on between the old condos and new condo/village but the mountain is everything you could possibly ask for. You can make the same
union peak lift-union meadows-timberline lift-union peak lift-union meadows
circuit all day and you will find fresh powder out in the meadows every time. Union meadows is literally the size of a decent ski resort itself. Its huge. I dont want it to become overcrowded over there, but i want copper to do well financially so they can pimp out the center village with new developments and get rid of the old condos. So if you want my advice to where to go in colorado, its copper.

**This post was edited on Sep 3rd 2019 at 1:29:33pm
6 years ago
1 3
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2479 - Karma: 30,043
DolanReloadedCopper mountain is the best kept secret in colorado besides wolf creek. Its lift lines are about 10% as long as brecks. Coppers village had a bit of a clash going on between the old condos and new condo/village but the mountain is everything you could possibly ask for. You can make the same
union peak lift-union meadows-timberline lift-union peak lift-union meadows
circuit all day and you will find fresh powder out in the meadows every time. Union meadows is literally the size of a decent ski resort itself. Its huge. I dont want it to become overcrowded over there, but i want copper to do well financially so they can pimp out the center village with new developments and get rid of the old condos. So if you want my advice to where to go in colorado, its copper.

**This post was edited on Sep 3rd 2019 at 1:29:33pm


Yo what the fuck are you talking about? Copper is just as crowded as keystone on most days. Only resort not totally fucked in summit is a bay
6 years ago
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bryann_carvo
Posts: 80 - Karma: 138
What about Big sky or whitefish? Also any good mountains other than in Utah or Colorado because those are generally going to b the most crowded
6 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7072 - Karma: 26,618
Replace Christmas with St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the holiday OP.
Winter starts 12/21 that means only 4 days of winter before Christmas. Not enough time to bet on good conditions plus everyone else will be taking the day off. On Christmas just visit your mom and ski at the place closest to Moms house so it is easier for Santa to find you.
6 years ago
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IHUFFPAINT
Posts: 206 - Karma: 444
Skiing, Christmas, and not crowded never go together when talking about skiing in CO. Best bet would prob be Wolf Creek, Purgatory, or Telluride if your lucky.
6 years ago
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bryann_carvo
Posts: 80 - Karma: 138
IHUFFPAINTSkiing, Christmas, and not crowded never go together when talking about skiing in CO. Best bet would prob be Wolf Creek, Purgatory, or Telluride if your lucky.


Yeah I’ll prob try wolf creek or purgatory
6 years ago
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,095
ColoradoDogfartYo what the fuck are you talking about? Copper is just as crowded as keystone on most days. Only resort not totally fucked in summit is a bay


Idk if copper has had bigger crowds in the last few years but while i was there there was never longer than
a 5-10 min wait even on the busiest days. Busy at breck is way busier than busy at copper. Idk much about skistoned
6 years ago
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -719
Since it’s still early season you can just go where the snow is the shittiest if it’s that important to avoid crowds.
6 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7072 - Karma: 26,618
PeppermillRenoSince it’s still early season you can just go where the snow is the shittiest if it’s that important to avoid crowds.


This will backfire for sure. Small amount of snow tends means less area for people to ski. If there is the same amount of people then it will be more crowded, Truth is there will be even more people because people are dumb and can’t help it.
6 years ago
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Bruzote
Posts: 9 - Karma: -2
TRVP_ANGELStep 1. Gather a list of ski resorts in North America, only within colorado and west of it (no one wants to ski east coast)
Step 2. search each resort name on google
Step 3. go to the resort with the least google search results

boom ez

If you want to use quantized results to represent how crowded a mountain will be, you need to divide search count by overall lift capacity on the terrain you want to ski. For example, Loveland Pass won't get the same Google search counts as Steamboat, but I bet Loveland will be less fun than Steamboat when Loveland's lifts are at capacity and you can only ski a few runs before running into a lift line or a measly cafeteria packed to the rafters. Steamboat would be a better idea.



Also, you DO need snow and just because you can ski "ice" doesn't mean you can ski rock or dirt. If Crested Butte doesn't have snow, don't assume it will have ice you can ski on. I hope that you consider that.
6 years ago
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,123
Camp fortune

best mountain west of the atlantic ocean
6 years ago
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Talltean
Posts: 10 - Karma: 24
Telluride Colorado. Most beautiful place in the state
6 years ago
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bryann_carvo
Posts: 80 - Karma: 138
TallteanTelluride Colorado. Most beautiful place in the state


What about going to Arapahoe Basin. Does that get really crowded during the holiday break ?
6 years ago
1 0
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Talltean
Posts: 10 - Karma: 24
bryann_carvoWhat about going to Arapahoe Basin. Does that get really crowded during the holiday break ?


Arapahoe is pretty small. It’s fun but the lifts are slow and it’s not very big so the lines do build. Telluride is like aspen but way less people and better terrain for all levels. Never any lines and if there is it’s only a couple minutes.
6 years ago
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,123
Boys I wanna go to alta
6 years ago
2 0
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bryann_carvo
Posts: 80 - Karma: 138
CalumSKIBoys I wanna go to alta


How’s Alta during the holidays?
6 years ago
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,123
bryann_carvoHow’s Alta during the holidays?

No idea
Probs busy but I've never been there so I wouldn't know.
I just wanna go there tho
6 years ago
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bryann_carvo
Posts: 80 - Karma: 138
TallteanArapahoe is pretty small. It’s fun but the lifts are slow and it’s not very big so the lines do build. Telluride is like aspen but way less people and better terrain for all levels. Never any lines and if there is it’s only a couple minutes.


Yea I’m used to 20+ minute lift lines in Vermont during the holidays
6 years ago
3 0
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jakeordie
Posts: 665 - Karma: 3,281
bryann_carvoWell I’m not really picky when it comes to snow

Perisher
6 years ago
1 1
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lickmyballs
Posts: 489 - Karma: 1,158
bryann_carvoim looking to go up to Colorado (anywhere out west) for skiing this Christmas. What is the best mountain with little to no lift lines???


don't come to Utah the snow sucks
6 years ago
0 1
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10062 - Karma: 76,214
bryann_carvoYea I’m used to 20+ minute lift lines in Vermont during the holidays


Where do you ski? I've skied at Jay, smuggs, and mad river around Christmas before and had no problems even on a pow day
6 years ago
0 0
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bryann_carvo
Posts: 80 - Karma: 138
FogdartWhere do you ski? I've skied at Jay, smuggs, and mad river around Christmas before and had no problems even on a pow day


I’ve skied at okemo and killington
6 years ago
1 0
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BigScaryLarry
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 2,733
A mountain without chairlifts. Skin to win
6 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10062 - Karma: 76,214
bryann_carvoI’ve skied at okemo and killington


Oh yeah that's your problem, Killington especially
6 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10062 - Karma: 76,214
bryann_carvoI’ve skied at okemo and killington


The further you get from NYC the better the lines
6 years ago
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,788
Strange.Journey.A mountain without chairlifts. Skin to win


Was gonna say the same thing. Even a busy trailhead beats a busy lift line.
Last year I tried to ski one day at the resort and had to wait an hour in a line of cars to even get to the parking lot. Will do my best to avoid resorts for Christmas break this year. 20-40 min lines at some of the local Vancouver hills and at Whistler - no thanks.

Rule of thumb though is less resort infrastructure and less beginner terrain the better you'll be. Families aren't gonna plan a vacation solely for rad dad or their lil ripper kid.
6 years ago
5 0
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,688
As people have noted, all of the big resorts are gonna have long lines no matter what.

Could be worth checking out smaller mountains like Wolf Creek, Monarch, or Ski Cooper.

If you want to stick to a bigger mountain, Crested Butte and Telluride tend to have slightly fewer people simply due to the fact that they're more difficult to get to. But you should still expect fairly long lines due to the time of year.
6 years ago
5 0
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -719
patagonialukeAs people have noted, all of the big resorts are gonna have long lines no matter what.

Could be worth checking out smaller mountains like Wolf Creek, Monarch, or Ski Cooper.

If you want to stick to a bigger mountain, Crested Butte and Telluride tend to have slightly fewer people simply due to the fact that they're more difficult to get to. But you should still expect fairly long lines due to the time of year.


How does Telluride ski on low pack? If I can afford a trip Dec 25-Jan 1 I kinda wanna go there.

I've heard CB notoriously needs a ton of snow unlike the Aspen mountains a few miles away that ski pretty well on a small base.

Honestly I will bitch about liftlines like everyone else but I like to go out and party at night feel like that would be a great time to visit both places and rage bars wont be packed since its mostly families but they'll be fun and bumping.
6 years ago
2 0
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 8,688
PeppermillRenoHow does Telluride ski on low pack? If I can afford a trip Dec 25-Jan 1 I kinda wanna go there.

I've heard CB notoriously needs a ton of snow unlike the Aspen mountains a few miles away that ski pretty well on a small base.

Honestly I will bitch about liftlines like everyone else but I like to go out and party at night feel like that would be a great time to visit both places and rage bars wont be packed since its mostly families but they'll be fun and bumping.


I'd say Telluride's fun stuff might open a bit earlier than CB's, but they're pretty similar in that regard. The most fun terrain at both mountains usually doesn't come into play till January.

Last year we had a pretty average early season at CB and the High Lift started spinning around the first or second week of January.

If the High Lift and North Face lift aren't running, there's still lots of fun stuff at CB, but our groomers and other regular stuff isn't anything to write home about so not sure it's worth coming for just that, given that the lift lines won't be drastically shorter than Aspen, Copper, Steamboat, etc. And yeah, the bars here are a good time for sure, even around the Holidays.
6 years ago
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