Skiing Thanksgiving 2026: which ski resorts are open (and where to stay)

Updated Nov 7, 2026. Every date checked on the resort's or pass's own site.

Short answer: Thanksgiving is Nov 26, 2026. Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and Telluride are scheduled to open that day. Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Loveland, Copper, Breckenridge, Mammoth and Mt. Rose are already open. Wolf Creek opened Oct 31 but has been temporarily closed since Nov 1 because of an evacuation order, with no reopen date yet. Vail, Park City, Alta, Solitude, Heavenly, Northstar and Palisades Tahoe are scheduled to open before it. Copper opened Nov 8 after delaying from Nov 6. Breckenridge opened Nov 11 after its Nov 6 delay, and Brian Head has no new date yet. Snowbird and Snowbasin open Nov 27. All dates depend on snow. Checked Nov 11, 2026, 8am MT.

Stay near Frisco for Summit County

See stays near Frisco, Nov 25-29 (affiliate link). More towns each have their own link below.

Map: Summit County, Colorado, priced for Nov 25-29, 2026; change the dates or area in the map. Per-town links for Utah and Tahoe are below.

Affiliate disclosure: lodging links and maps on this page are from Stay22. If you book through them, Skier Stash may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we make money

Is anything open yet?

As of Nov 11, 2026, 8am MT: open now: Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Loveland, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain. Breckenridge delayed its Nov 6 opening and opened Nov 11; Brian Head delayed its Nov 6 opening (no new date yet); Copper delayed too and opened Nov 8. Wolf Creek opened Oct 31 but has been temporarily closed since Nov 1 until the Archuleta County evacuation order is lifted.

Thanksgiving 2026 ski resort table (Colorado, Utah, Tahoe)

Sorted by opening date. "Scheduled" means the resort or its owner published the date; every date is conditions permitting. "Not announced" means no official date yet; we don't list projections as dates.

Ski resort opening dates vs Thanksgiving (Nov 26, 2026), Colorado, Utah and Tahoe. Checked Nov 11, 2026, 8am MT
Resort	Opening date	Open by Thanksgiving?	Pass	Source + checked	Stay (Nov 25-29)
Arapahoe BasinDillon, CO	Oct 28Open since Oct 28	Open now	Ikon	[Arapahoe Basin] checked Oct 29	Dillon
KeystoneKeystone, CO	Oct 30Open since Oct 30	Open now	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Oct 30	Dillon
Wolf CreekPagosa Springs, CO	Oct 31Opened Oct 31; temporarily closed since Nov 1 (evacuation order), no reopen date	Temporarily closed	Independent	[Wolf Creek] checked Nov 6	Pagosa Springs
LovelandGeorgetown, CO	Nov 7Open since Nov 7 (1 lift / 1 trail / 40 acres; Chet's Dream / Catwalk, Mambo, Home Run)	Open now	Indy add-on Powder Alliance	[Loveland] checked Nov 7	Silverthorne
Copper MountainFrisco, CO	Nov 8Open since Nov 8 (delayed from Nov 6)	Open now	Ikon	[Copper] checked Nov 8	Frisco
BreckenridgeBreckenridge, CO	Nov 11Scheduled (delayed from Nov 6)	Open now	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Nov 9	Frisco
VailVail, CO	Nov 13Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Nov 3	Avon
SteamboatSteamboat Springs, CO	Nov 21Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Ikon	[Steamboat] checked Nov 3	Steamboat Springs
Beaver CreekAvon, CO	Nov 25Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Nov 3	Avon
Crested ButteCrested Butte, CO	Nov 25Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Nov 3	Crested Butte
Aspen MountainAspen, CO	Nov 26Scheduled	Opens Thanksgiving Day	Ikon Mountain Collective	[Aspen Snowmass] checked Nov 3	Basalt
SnowmassSnowmass Village, CO	Nov 26Scheduled	Opens Thanksgiving Day	Ikon Mountain Collective	[Aspen Snowmass] checked Nov 3	Snowmass Village
TellurideTelluride, CO	Nov 26Target, subject to change	Opens Thanksgiving Day	Epic (7 days)	[Telluride] checked Nov 3	Mountain Village
Aspen HighlandsAspen, CO	Dec 12Scheduled	After Thanksgiving	Ikon Mountain Collective	[Aspen Snowmass] checked Nov 3	Basalt
ButtermilkAspen, CO	Dec 12Scheduled	After Thanksgiving	Ikon Mountain Collective	[Aspen Snowmass] checked Nov 3	Basalt
Winter ParkWinter Park, CO	TBANot announced (opens when snow allows)	Not announced	Ikon	[Winter Park] checked Nov 13	Fraser
Park City MountainPark City, UT	Nov 20Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Nov 3	Park City
AltaAlta, UT	Nov 20Scheduled (skiers only)	Opens before Thanksgiving	Ikon Mountain Collective	[Ikon Pass] checked Nov 9	Cottonwood Heights
SolitudeSolitude, UT	Nov 20Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Ikon	[Ikon Pass] checked Oct 20	Cottonwood Heights
SnowbirdSnowbird, UT	Nov 27Scheduled, conditions permitting	Opens Nov 27, the day after	Ikon Mountain Collective	[Snowbird] checked Nov 3	Cottonwood Heights
SnowbasinHuntsville, UT	Nov 27Scheduled	Opens Nov 27, the day after	Ikon Mountain Collective	[Ikon Pass] checked Nov 9	Ogden
Deer ValleyPark City, UT	Dec 5Scheduled	After Thanksgiving	Ikon	[Ikon Pass] checked Nov 9	Park City
Powder MountainEden, UT	Dec 11Scheduled	After Thanksgiving	Independent	[Powder Mountain] checked Oct 21	Ogden
Brian HeadBrian Head, UT	TBADelayed from Nov 6; no new date yet	Not announced	Power Pass	[Brian Head] checked Nov 6	Brian Head
SundanceSundance, UT	TBANot announced	Not announced	Independent	[Ski Utah] checked Oct 21	Provo
BrightonBrighton, UT	TBANot announced	Not announced	Ikon	[Ikon Pass] checked Oct 20	Cottonwood Heights
Mammoth MountainMammoth Lakes, CA	Nov 5Open since Nov 5 (moved up from Nov 13)	Open now	Ikon	[Mammoth] checked Nov 5	Mammoth Lakes
Mt. Rose Ski TahoeReno, NV	Nov 6Open since Nov 6	Open now	Independent	[Mt. Rose] checked Nov 6	Reno
HeavenlySouth Lake Tahoe, CA	Nov 20Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Nov 3	South Lake Tahoe
NorthstarTruckee, CA	Nov 20Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Nov 3	Truckee
Palisades TahoeOlympic Valley, CA	Nov 25Scheduled	Opens before Thanksgiving	Ikon	[Palisades Tahoe] checked Nov 3	Truckee
Sugar BowlNorden, CA	Nov 27Target	Opens Nov 27, the day after	Mountain Collective	[Sugar Bowl] checked Nov 3	Truckee
KirkwoodKirkwood, CA	Dec 4Scheduled	After Thanksgiving	Epic	[Vail Resorts] checked Nov 3	South Lake Tahoe

More dates: Colorado opening dates · Utah opening dates · Lake Tahoe & California opening dates

Open on Thanksgiving Day itself

Scheduled to open on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and Telluride (Telluride calls it a target date, subject to change). [Aspen Snowmass] [Telluride]

Not on Thanksgiving Day: Snowbird and Snowbasin open the next day, Friday Nov 27. Snowbasin is still hosting its Thanksgiving buffet in Earl's Lodge on Nov 26, 10am-3pm; reservations are required. [Snowbird] [Snowbasin]

What Thanksgiving skiing is really like

Thanksgiving is the first big ski weekend of the season, and it's early. Most resorts open with a handful of runs, mostly on man-made snow, served by a few lifts. Expect busy lift lines on Friday and Saturday, when families who skipped the Thursday turkey arrive. Resorts add terrain as snow and snowmaking allow, so check each resort's lift and terrain report the night before you drive. Snowbird says its opening terrain depends on conditions. Buy lift tickets and book lessons and rentals ahead; early-season prices online are usually lower than at the window. If you're traveling with beginners, check that green terrain is open: some resorts open with intermediate runs only.

Where to stay for Thanksgiving skiing

Each link opens a Stay22 map priced for Nov 25-29, 2026 (Wednesday to Sunday). Change the dates in the map. For Colorado bases, buses and lodging deals, see where to stay to ski Colorado for less.

Summit County (Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper, A-Basin)

See stays in Frisco, Nov 25-29: Central for Breck and Copper; free Summit Stage buses.
See stays in Dillon, Nov 25-29: Closest to Keystone and A-Basin.
See stays in Silverthorne, Nov 25-29: Usually a cheaper base right off I-70.

Resort pages: Breckenridge · Keystone · Copper Mountain · Arapahoe Basin

Vail Valley (Vail, Beaver Creek)

See stays in Avon, Nov 25-29: At the base of Beaver Creek; buses to Vail.
See stays in Edwards, Nov 25-29: Further down valley, often cheaper.

Resort pages: Vail · Beaver Creek

Aspen Snowmass

See stays in Snowmass Village, Nov 25-29: Ski-in lodging at Snowmass.
See stays in Basalt, Nov 25-29: Down valley; RFTA buses to Aspen and Snowmass.

Resort pages: Aspen Mountain · Snowmass

Telluride

See stays in Mountain Village, Nov 25-29: Lift-side lodging; free gondola to town.
See stays in Telluride, Nov 25-29: The historic town at the base of Lift 7.

Resort pages: Telluride

Park City and Salt Lake

See stays in Park City, Nov 25-29: For Park City Mountain.
See stays in Cottonwood Heights, Nov 25-29: At the mouth of the Cottonwood canyons, for Alta, Snowbird, Solitude and Brighton.

Resort pages: Park City Mountain · Alta · Snowbird · Solitude

Ogden (Snowbasin)

See stays in Ogden, Nov 25-29: The nearest city to Snowbasin.

Resort pages: Snowbasin

Lake Tahoe

See stays in South Lake Tahoe, Nov 25-29: For Heavenly.
See stays in Truckee, Nov 25-29: For Northstar, Palisades Tahoe and Sugar Bowl.

Resort pages: Heavenly · Northstar · Palisades Tahoe · Sugar Bowl

Mammoth

See stays in Mammoth Lakes, Nov 25-29: The town at the base of Mammoth Mountain.

Resort pages: Mammoth Mountain

Last updated Nov 11, 2026, 8am MT. Prices subject to change.

Pass notes for Thanksgiving weekend

Epic Local: epicpass.com lists Nov 27-28, 2026 as restricted dates for the Epic Local Pass. Check which resorts are restricted before you plan Friday and Saturday. [epicpass.com]
Epic Pass price: prices go up after Nov 15, 2026 (Vail Resorts). POWDER reported that sales end Dec 6; Vail hasn't confirmed that date. [Vail Resorts] [POWDER]
Which pass? Aspen Snowmass, A-Basin, Copper, Steamboat, Alta, Solitude, Snowbird, Snowbasin, Palisades and Mammoth are on Ikon; Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly and Northstar are Epic; Telluride days come with the Epic Pass. [Ikon] [Epic]

Details: Epic Pass price increase 2026 · Ikon Pass deadline 2026 · Epic vs Ikon 2026-27

What to pack

Check what you already own first. For an early-season trip, a breathable base layer, an insulating midlayer and a weather-appropriate outer layer cover most days; we don't rate temperatures or promise conditions.

If you need a layer, browse Patagonia base layers and Web Specials for previous-season options, or see the ski gear sale tracker.

Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

FAQ

Which ski resorts are open on Thanksgiving 2026?

Thanksgiving is Nov 26, 2026. Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and Telluride are scheduled to open that day. Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Loveland, Copper, Breckenridge, Mammoth and Mt. Rose are already open. Wolf Creek opened Oct 31 but has been temporarily closed since Nov 1 because of an evacuation order, with no reopen date yet. Vail, Park City, Alta, Solitude, Heavenly, Northstar and Palisades Tahoe are scheduled to open before it. Copper opened Nov 8 after delaying from Nov 6. Breckenridge opened Nov 11 after its Nov 6 delay, and Brian Head has no new date yet. Snowbird and Snowbasin open Nov 27. All dates depend on snow. Checked Nov 11, 2026, 8am MT.

Is Aspen open on Thanksgiving?

Yes, if snow allows. Aspen Snowmass says Aspen Mountain and Snowmass open Nov 26, 2026, Thanksgiving Day. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk open later, on Dec 12. [Aspen Snowmass]

Is Snowbird open on Thanksgiving?

No. Snowbird is scheduled to open for lift-served skiing on Friday, Nov 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving, conditions permitting. Nearby Alta and Solitude are scheduled to open Nov 20, so they should be running on Thanksgiving. [Snowbird]

Which Colorado ski resorts are open for Thanksgiving?

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Loveland, Copper and Breckenridge are already open; Wolf Creek opened Oct 31 but has been temporarily closed since Nov 1 (evacuation order, no reopen date yet). Breckenridge opened Nov 11 after delaying from Nov 6, Vail opens Nov 13, Steamboat Nov 21, Beaver Creek and Crested Butte Nov 25, and Aspen Mountain, Snowmass and Telluride Nov 26. Winter Park hasn't announced a date. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk open Dec 12.

Which Utah ski resorts are open for Thanksgiving?

Brian Head delayed its Nov 6 opening with no new date yet. Park City, Alta and Solitude are scheduled for Nov 20, so those three should be open on Thanksgiving Day if snow allows. Snowbird and Snowbasin open the day after, Nov 27. Deer Valley opens Dec 5 and Powder Mountain Dec 11. Brighton and Sundance haven't announced dates.

Is Lake Tahoe skiing open for Thanksgiving?

Mostly yes. Mt. Rose opened Nov 6, Heavenly and Northstar are scheduled for Nov 20, and Palisades Tahoe Nov 25. Sugar Bowl targets Nov 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and Kirkwood opens Dec 4. Mammoth, further south, opened Nov 5, moved up from Nov 13. Every date depends on snow.

Is the Epic Local Pass blacked out Thanksgiving weekend?

Partly. Epicpass.com lists Nov 27-28, 2026 as restricted dates for the Epic Local Pass, so it doesn't work at its restricted resorts the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day itself isn't on that list. Check epicpass.com for which resorts are restricted. [epicpass.com]

How much terrain is open at Thanksgiving?

Usually a small part of the mountain. Early-season runs are mostly man-made snow on a few lifts, and resorts add terrain as snow and snowmaking allow. Check each resort's lift and terrain report the night before. We don't predict run counts or snowfall.

Where should I stay for a Thanksgiving ski trip?

Stay near a resort that's already open or has a firm date: Dillon for Keystone and A-Basin, Frisco for Copper (open since Nov 8) and Breckenridge (open since Nov 11 after delaying from Nov 6); Avon for Vail and Beaver Creek; Park City or Cottonwood Heights in Utah; Truckee or South Lake Tahoe in Tahoe. Book early, because Thanksgiving is the first busy ski weekend.