Ski with Santa for festive cheer and deals across Western Canada

Updated: Dec 12, 2023

Dec 15, 2022

Are you ready for the skiing Santa invasion? Every December, per tradition, Santa's costumed helpers hit the ski slopes. Red, white and beardy Santas shred it up, skiing and snowboarding all over Alberta and BC.

Why should you care about skiing with Santa? Good food, good cheer, free skiing (keep reading!) and tradition. Plus, it's a spectacle! And for those who dress up like Santa themselves, don't forget about the instant fame and bragging rights.

Where to ski with or be a skiing Santa

Here are some Western Canadian ski resorts where you can meet Santa Claus or become a skiing Santa during the next few weeks, and possibly get a free or cheap day of skiing out of it. As a bonus, we're also highlighting some other festive activities to check out for Christmas apres by the slopes.

But first, let's save you on your holiday wrapping. For you not-so-crafty types, Mt Norquay has a genius idea to save you the frustration of gift wrapping. Head up for a ski, and they'll wrap your gifts for free (with valid lift ticket or season pass).

There, now that the holiday chores are done, on with the fun!

Sun Peaks, Dec 21-24

ski with Santa, carol with Nancy Greene

Sun Peaks lures Santa with its famous cinnamon buns.

Yes, Santa comes to Sun Peaks’ for its famous cinnamon buns here each year but he stays for the shredding. So now you know!

But next to Santa, who’s a more beloved figure in Canadian skiing than Nancy Greene, Olympic legend and founder of the famous Nancy Greene skiing racing league?

How many of us got an early start in skiing through the grassroots skiing program that bears her name?

Ski with Santa, carol with Nancy Greene: pretty solid doubleheader!

Dec 21 sledding with Santa
Dec 22 skiing/snowboarding with Santa
Dec 23, 24 carolling with Nancy Greene in the village

Find more details here.

Subscribe to SnowSeekers enews

For more of the snow stoke you love.

Lake Louise, Dec 23 - 25

Score some candy from Santa and Griff the Grizzly

Two days of Santa appearances! Plus the Lake’s own Griff the Grizzly will be joining in. Listen for the jingling on the slopes to find them and, perhaps, score some candy to keep you fuelled up.

Join in more holiday fun and festivities with the Magical Christmas Feast on Dec 23, or the Lake's Rocky Mountain New Year's Eve Party. More details here.

Big White, Dec 25

Meet Santa on the slopes of Big White

Photo: Nancy Shields

Meet Santa at Big White, 10:30 on Dec 25.

Christmas Day itself, Santa’s deliveries are done and he’s ready to rip Big White. Meetup is 10:30 at the Village Centre Mall (in the ski village) to ski a few laps with the jolly old elf. Be sure to wear your best Christmas sweater! Details here.

SilverStar, Dec 24

Dress up as Santa, ski for only $10

Christmas in the snowglobe at SilverStar.

Be one of the first 100 to arrive dressed up as Santa and ski SilverStar for only $10 for a full day ticket! And the proceeds go to SilverStar's Play Forever Initiative which supports local community and environmental initiatives. This year's charity is the Good Food Box School Food Box Program.

Get details here.

Castle Mountain, Dec 25

Christmas at Castle

Who's that skiing, all dressed in red? (JK, that's not Santa!)

In keeping with tradition, Castle drops its lift pass prices (and shortens its operating hours), to allow for all those obsessed skiers and snowboarders to get some laps and still be home for Christmas dinner. Go here for more details.

Sunshine Village, Dec 25

Santa skis for $82.50

Following suit (pun intended), Sunshine Village is offering discounted lift passes on Christmas Day as well, for skiers and snowboarders who dress up as their favourite Christmas character—could be Santa Claus, Ms. Claus, or maybe a reindeer, an elf or even the Grinch! More details can be found here.

Other holiday activities at Alberta, BC ski resorts

Are you a full on Grinch? No interest in Santa days? It’s okay, we (and the rest of the Whos in Whoville) still love you. Maybe this will help grow your heart a size or two.

From Boxing Day through New year’s eve, you can catch torchlight ski parades, a fire and ice show and fireworks at several resorts around Alberta and BC:

Sunshine Village Torchlight Parades: Dec 31 (New Year’s Eve)
Mount Washington, Dec 26: Boxing Day Torchlight Ski & Fireworks
* night skiing is open for those who want to enjoy it all from the slopes
Whistler: Dec 31: New Year’s Fire & Ice Show
Norquay Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade

And of course, right after Christmas, the season continues with Jasper in January, now running for over 30 years, with deals on skiing at Marmot Basin, hotel discounts, foodie events, street parties and winter activities throughout the park.

Merry Shredmas, and schuss (or shralp) on this holiday season.