Why stop shredding the slopes when the sun goes down? At many resorts around the globe you can ski for more than 12 hours a day and well into evening hours. At night you can avoid the crowds, find cheaper tickets and make for a novel evening outing on the snow under the lights. Just make sure you bundle up and have your clear goggle lens on hand for maximum visibility. A thermos full of hot chocolate and or schnapps can make the evening even more enjoyable.
Check out some of our favorite after-dark skiing venues:
Keystone Resort, CO: Boasting 15 lighted trails; Keystone offers the most night skiing terrain in Colorado – as well as a great party atmosphere.
Crotched, NH: Every Friday and Saturday night, Crotched Mountain hosts Midnight Madness. The entire mountain (including two terrain parks) is open for skiing until 3 a.m.! The party starts at 9 p.m. and also includes a slope side bonfire and concert series.
Brighton, UT: Brighton offers some of the most varied and expansive night skiing in Utah with 200 acres of terrain, access to the park and pipe, three lifts running and the opportunity to take lessons. At the base of the mountain, you’ll find some great dining options so guests can have dinner before hitting the slopes under the lights.
Mt. Hood Skibowl, OR: Less than an hour outside of Portland, and open until 10pm seven days a week, Mt. Hood Skibowl provides skiers and riders with the most lighted terrain in the country – over 960 acres!
Wachusett, MA: Several Liftopia employees honed their skiing skills under the lights at their local Massachusetts ski areas including Bradford and Nashoba Valley. So I thought it would be appropriate to honor the birthplace of their ski exploits with a shout out to another Massachusetts haunt, Wachusett. Wachusett ‘s 18 lighted trails are open until 10pm every night of the week! Stop by after work for some runs or hang out après après-ski and enjoy live music Thursday through Sunday.
Good call on including Brighton, Kate. I had a night pass to Brighton one year in college. Even after a full day of skiing and 5 hours of night skiing, the snow was awesome and I could still find powder in the trees. Miss that place!
Bromont, Quebec — largest night-skiing operation in North America
You definately overlooked Stevens Pass, WA. They have a great night ski operation and much of their terrain is lit…even areas that arent necessarily trails.
Night skiing with not mentioning Wachusett is just wrong. That little area has started so many people into the ski business. I know so many skiers that only own goggles with clear lens for just skiing at night. Make a few runs then have the best Nachos in the business. Wa Wa Wachusett!!!!
Gunstock in Gilford, NH, and Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, ME, are probably the largest night skiing locations in New England.
Holiday Valley in WNY? Most of the area is lit for night skiing and E’ville is just down the road.
Wolf Mt in Eden, UT — the most fun you can have under lights!!
Another good one is Whitefish Mountain Resort at Whitefish, Montana (formerly Big Mountain). Great snow and great views.
I’ll add Bristol Mountain in the Finger Lakes area of NY. 95% of the mountain is lighted! I learned to ski under the lights there in the mid ’80’s.
So glad to see Wachusett on here! I learned to ski under those Wa Wa lights and there was no turning back after that.
Mt Hood Ski Bowl (Multipuddle) is awesome night skiing. WHEN there’s snow. I swear that place is closed more than it’s open. And also, it’s tough to beat Ski Acres/Snowqualamie (or whatever the hell it’s called now).
I go to Wachusett for school and its a nice little ski resort with pretty good night skiing, probaly one of the best in all of New England.