Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont promises to light up your New Year’s Eve. Credit: okemo.com
Tired of watching the ball drop on TV? Sick of paying hundreds of dollars to attend a swanky New Year’s Eve gala? Looking for something more exciting than a house party? Well there is no need to look any further than New England’s ski resorts.
As if skiing and riding weren’t enough, many area resorts are offering a variety of events to help you ring in 2014.
At several Vermont resorts, the theme for New Year’s Eve celebrations seems to be family friendliness. Check it out:
Okemo Mountain Resort
- Base Elevation: 1,144 ft.
- Summit Elevation: 3,344 ft.
- Vertical Drop: 2,200 ft.
- Skiable Area: 632 acres
- Number of Lifts: 19
- Number of Trails: 119
- Longest Run: 23,760 ft.
Join Okemo for its Family New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31 when midnight arrivesearly. Following early evening ice skating, a magic and comedy show, snowshoeing, wagon rides, arts and crafts, bingo games and a trivia tournament, families can ring in the New Year early with a DJ dance party – and still get the kids to bed in time for a full day on the slopes the next day. Party games, balloons, noisemakers and fireworks add to the New Year celebration, complete with a pizza party dinner.
Mount Snow
- Base Elevation: 1,900 ft.
- Summit Elevation: 3,600 ft.
- Vertical Drop: 1,700 ft.
- Skiable Area: 588 acres
- Number of Lifts: 20
- Number of Trails: 80
- Longest Run: 13,200 ft
Join Mount Snow for an evening of food and fun at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel for our New Year’s Eve Family Dinner. Doors open at 6 p.m. and a buffet dinner will be served from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The event will feature a special menu just for kids, as well as aDJ, balloon man, party favors, face painting and photo booth (additional charge will apply for photo booth). A champagne toast will be served at 9 p.m. for ages 21 and over and cider served for those ages 20 and under.Dinner guests are welcome to stay for our dance party starting at 10:30 p.m. in the same room. Dinner guests to enjoy the Raponda activity room for activities, arcade games and other entertainment from 9:30-10:30 while changes to the room are made.
Smugglers Notch Resort
- Base Elevation: 1,030 ft.
- Summit Elevation: 3,640 ft.
- Vertical Drop: 2,610 ft.
- Skiable Area: 1,000 acres
- Number of Lifts: 8
- Number of Trails: 78
- Longest Run: 18,480 ft.
New Year’s EveCelebrations at Smugglers’ are for all ages with dance parties, FunZone event, Kids’ Night Out at TREASURES child care and karaoke at Bootleggers’ lounge. Usher in the New Year with a bonfire on the Village Green, and torchlight parade and fireworks against the backdrop of the Green Mountains.
In New Hampshire, area resorts will mark the start of 2014 with fireworks displays, as well as one unique, Southern-style celebration.
Gunstock Mountain Resort
- Base Elevation: 900 ft.
- Summit Elevation: 2,300 ft.
- Vertical Drop: 1,400 ft.
- Skiable Area: 227 acres
- Number of Lifts: 8
- Number of Trails: 55
- Longest Run: 13,200 ft.
All of Gunstock Mountain is open for you to enjoy this New Year’s Eve, including skiing, riding, tubing, snowshoeing tours, sleigh rides and more. During the evening there will be roaming jugglers, face painting, s’mores by the fire put, live music, a torch light parade and fireworks.
Waterville Valley Resort
- Base Elevation: 1,984 ft.
- Summit Elevation: 4,004 ft.
- Vertical Drop: 2,020 ft.
- Number of Lifts: 12
- Number of Trails: 52
- Longest Run: 15,840 ft.
Ring in the New Year in Waterville Valley! There are all kinds of events happening in Town Square for everyone to enjoy, including fireworks, sleigh rides, dog sled rides, ice skating and more.
Mount Washington Resort – Bretton Woods
- Base Elevation: 1,600 ft.
- Summit Elevation: 3,100 ft.
- Vertical Drop: 1,500 ft.
- Skiable Area: 464 acres
- Number of Lifts: 9
- Number of Trails: 102
- Longest Run: 10,560 ft.
Ring in 2014 with a touch of Southern Hospitality as the Omni Mount Washington Resort transforms into the New Orleans French Quarter. During this New Year’s Eve Celebration enjoy Cajun music and this never before seen transformation of the hotel. New Year’s Eve dinner options are for those booked on the New Year’s Eve package and include The Formal New Orleans Ball, A Stickney’s Soiree and The Family Buffet Party. Join in the New Orleans experience!
In Maine, one resort is celebrating New Year’s roaring 20s style.
Sunday River Ski Resort
- Base Elevation: 800 ft.
- Summit Elevation: 3,140 ft.
- Vertical Drop: 2,340 ft.
- Skiable Area: 667 acres
- Number of Lifts: 16
- Number of Trails: 132
- Longest Run: 15,840 ft.
In Gatsby’s world, “a little party never killed nobody,” so be sure to join Sunday River to ring in the New Year in true Gatsby fashion. We’ll celebrate with lively music, decadent food and more champagne than you’ll know what to do with! Everyone is encouraged to get all dolled up in his or her best getup because no party of Gatsby’s is complete without glamorous attire. The resort will also offer a fire dancing show by Cirque de Light, as well as a fireworks display.
