Based on our team’s years of experience in the industry, we have selected some of the best places to go skiing in December.
At Skican, we specialize in building custom ski vacations — for a few days or for many, for friends, families, solo travelers, or groups. If you are looking to plan a ski trip this December, our team can provide you with expert advice and recommendations on the best resorts to choose from. Request a quote to start planning!
Have you experienced great early season skiing at a resort that’s not on our list? Leave a comment below to let us know, and we’ll consider adding it!
Whistler-Blackcomb
One of Whistler’s best-kept secrets is its exceptional early season snowfall. The resort gets an average of 2.4 meters (8 feet) of snow in November alone and typically open earlier than anticipated, so it is often a great choice for December skiing.
Another benefit is that early season skiers will get to experience Whistler without the crowds that you can expect in the peak of the season — and that means shorter lift lines, more time for runs, and enough space to crank out your turns.
Panorama
Credit: Panorama Mountain Resort
Set on the Powder Highway, Panorama is a resort that flies under the radar when it comes to early season skiing. However, this high-altitude resort is an excellent place to go skiing in December, thanks to its plentiful snowfall.
Panorama boasts the fourth highest vertical in Canada and provides something for everyone in the family, including cruisers, steeps, and much more. If you are looking to take your family on an early season ski trip, Panorama should be at the top of your list.
Fernie
Credit: Nick Nault - Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Fernie is another Canadian resort known for its reliable early season snow and great powder conditions throughout the winter. This resort will typically celebrate their opening day on December 1st, depending on the season.
Visitors to Fernie also have access to the perfect terrain for enjoying the early snow! Fernie’s five alpine bowls offer ideal venues to savour your first powder tracks of the season, before the crowds reach the hill.
Sölden, Austria
Credit: Markus Geisler - Bergbahnen Sölden
Sölden is one of the largest glacier ski resorts in Austria, offering more than 20 kilometres of ski terrain on the Rettenbach and Tiefenbachferner glaciers. The resort itself is set in the Tyrolean Alps, near Innsbruck, and the glacier area is accessible via the Ötztal Glacier Road, a scenic route that leads from the town up into the mountains.
The glacier ski area offers excellent snow conditions, starting as early as late September, and provides a variety of amenities, including restaurants, equipment rentals, and more. If you are looking for great skiing in December, this world-class European ski destination will not disappoint.
Les Arcs, France
Credit: Les Arcs - Paradiski
Another great choice for skiing in December is the Paradiski ski area, located close to Grenoble, in the French Alps. This resort offers the second largest ski area in the world, with 70% of the area situated at high-altitude above 2,000 metres. The area includes two lift-accessed glaciers, the Bellecôte Glacier and the Varet Glacier.
The resort opens at the beginning of December and promises guaranteed skiing from opening day onwards, thanks to its high altitude, natural snow conditions, and high-performance snow-making systems, which draw from Europe’s biggest reservoir.
Are you considering a ski trip this December? Start a personalized quote to learn more about booking an early season trip to one of the resorts on this list!
