The best night skiing spots in the US
This is the article you’ve been looking for if you’re hunting for floodlit park laps or wanting to cruise down choice pistes after work
Night skiing isn’t all that common anymore. With rising energy costs and staffing issues plaguing the country, the many resorts that used to offer night skiing sadly no longer do.
So, where can you go if you want to rack up some evening laps, perfect that lipslide under the lights, or hunt down some rarified powder at magic hour? Well, we asked ourselves the same thing. Then, we hunted down all the latest information and put it in one place for you, too. So, night skiing — let’s get it.
Skiing at night means skiing under the lights — and when you're in the spotlight, you'll need to look your best. Check out our awesome range of ski jackets and ski pants to keep your body warm and your vibe sub-zero this night-skiing season.
Where can you night ski in the US?
There are resorts all over the US that offer night skiing. Few chairs spin late into the evening, but we’ve put together a list of the ones that do.
No matter where you are in the States, there’s likely to be somewhere close by that does after-hours laps. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s definitely filled with gems – so let’s get into it.
Keystone Mountain Resort, Colorado
The mighty Keystone in Colorado is open for night skiing until 8 pm on weekends and holidays throughout the season (until March 26th). It includes the River Run base area.
Steamboat Springs Resort, Colorado
Steamboat offers some of the most extensive night skiing in the States. The Christie Peak Express takes you to 8,000 feet and offers 1,100 feet of vertical across six runs. These runs cater to beginners, intermediates, and advanced riders thanks to their state-of-the-art Ultra-TechTM lighting.
Mount Hood, Oregon
Mount Hood isn’t only open all summer. It’s also open into the night and has the US’s biggest night skiing area, with 36 lit runs across a stunning 964 acres. And they even offer off-piste skiing at night, which is unheard of anywhere else! Lifts spin until 10 pm every evening.
Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
While Park City stopped offering night skiing in 2020 due to the pandemic, we’re adding the resort here as there are rumors and rumblings of it making a return in the coming winters. Check their website for further details – and have those fingers crossed.
Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah
Luckily, Sundance Mountain Resort does offer night skiing. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, they open most of the runs on the front side of the mountain for night skiing, and now their terrain park is open for then too! Lifts stop spinning at 9 pm.
Brighton Resort, Utah
The legendary Brighton Resort has expanded its night skiing operations to now include 24 runs lit by over 260 lights! Lifts spin every night until 9 pm except Sundays.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho
Schweitzer offers what they call Twilight Skiing on the Basin Express high-speed quad chair, as well as the Musical Chairs lift from 3 to 7 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and select holidays. Their Stomping Grounds Terrain Park is also open until 7 pm under the lights!
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
Night skiing is available at the mighty Whitefish Mountain Resort. Chairs 2, 3, and 6, and the terrain parks are open on Fridays and Saturdays until March 4th with lifts spinning until 8:30 pm.
Snow King, Wyoming
Boasting the only night skiing available at Jackson Hole, Snow King is open until 6:30 pm every day except for Sunday. All lifts spin and all runs are open except for the Snow King Gondola and Sunnyside Lift, which close at 4 pm and 3 pm, respectively, along with the terrain they give access to.
Stevens Pass, Washington
Stevens Pass is one of the few resorts that offer real night skiing. Their lifts spin until 10 pm every night except Mondays and Tuesdays, right until March 12th. Six lifts run, making Stevens Pass an amazing night skiing spot!
Palisades Tahoe, California
Palisades Tahoe ski resort (formerly known as Squaw Valley) is great for after-hours laps, with select runs lit and lifts spinning until 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Make sure to check their website for updates, though, as the night skiing operations are especially susceptible to inclement weather disruptions.
Crotched Mountain, New Hampshire
If you find yourself on the East Coast, Crotched Mountain is a true night owl’s paradise. Their lifts turn until 8 pm every night of the week, right through the season. But, it’s their Midnight Madness nights where things get really fun! Ride every other Saturday until 12 am.
Wachusett Mountain, Massachusetts
Wachusett may not be a huge resort, but its lifts run from 9 am to 9:30 pm every night of the season and start spinning as early as 7:30 am on weekends, holidays, and school break weeks. The whole mountain is lit up, so don’t sleep on Wachusett – no matter how late it gets.
Sunday River Ski Resort, Maine
On Friday and Saturday nights, Sunday River keeps the Chondola and South Ridge Express lifts running until 6:30 pm. This means you can squeeze in some extra laps on the floodlit North Peak zone, including the terrain parks.
Alyeska Resort, Alaska
For those in the far north, Alyeska Resort in Alaska offers night skiing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through to the end of March. It includes Ted’s Express, Bear Cub Quad, and Chair 7 spinning until 8 pm, with the lit terrain including a host of runs and two terrain parks.
FAQs
Need the quick and dirty on night skiing? We’ve put together these quick FAQs of the most commonly asked questions about night skiing. If we missed something, send us an email and let us know!
What is night skiing?
Night skiing is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s skiing … at night! Whether it’s 18-hour sunlight skiing in Alyeska, AK at New Year, or park laps at Keystone under the floodlights, night skiing is – pure and simple – skiing after the lifts at other resorts stop spinning.
Why don’t all resorts offer night skiing?
Night skiing has its inherent costs and risks. For example, running floodlights is expensive, as is paying staff longer hours and ensuring the runs are groomed and safe. These extra costs add up, and without significant demand, it’s not an option for most resorts.
Do you need special equipment for night skiing?
No, you don’t. But we recommend a low-light or clear goggle lens to ensure you can see properly. Add some extra layers, too, as it gets colder when the sun goes down.
Is night skiing safe?
Diminished visibility is the biggest risk with night skiing, and riding under lights can be a little disorienting for some. But take it slow, stick to the well-lit runs, and you’ll be as safe as any other day on the snow.
Why do people night ski?
The usual answer is that many people work during the day, so riding at night is the only time they can get their laps in! 9 am to 3 pm lift times are restricting, so night skiing opens up the evenings for those much-needed laps and riding fix.
Wrapping up
Well, that’s it! The best night skiing spots in the US. Whether you’re on the East Coast, West Coast, or far in the north, if you want to ski by night, you’re not short on options!
Did we miss your favorite night skiing spot? Reach out and let us know!
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