Slope Style Christmas Eve Celebrations
Christmas Eve is the one night a year when even the most diehard snowboarders and skiers pause their relentless pursuit of fresh powder to honor the season. But forget the chestnuts roasting or the stockings hung with care—here are a few SlopeStyle Traditions you and your mountain-loving crowd can try on December 24th.
1. The Pre-Ride Wax Ceremony
For snowboarders and skiers alike, Christmas Eve isn’t complete without a ceremonial waxing session. It’s not just about prepping for the big Christmas Day ride—it’s a spiritual experience. The lodge garage smells of hot wax, and everyone argues over whether coconut-scented wax is better for speed (spoiler: it isn’t).
The debate always ends with someone suggesting beeswax or bacon grease “for science.”
2. The Hot Cocoa Showdown
In lodges across the world, snowboarders and skiers compete to craft the ultimate hot cocoa. Is it just cocoa powder and milk? No way. We’re talking about peppermint schnapps, whipped cream towers, and marshmallows stacked so high they could double as an avalanche barrier.
The snowboarders claim their cocoa is more “chill,” while skiers insist theirs is “elegant.” It’s a tradition fueled by sugar, caffeine, and mutual roasting.
3. Secret Snowflake Gift Exchange
A twist on Secret Santa, this involves everyone swapping slope-themed gifts. Think gloves, beanies, or that one person who always gifts the “ugly” onesie with yetis on it. Bonus points if the gift is somehow snow-related but completely impractical—like snowboard-shaped cookie cutters or skis for your dog.
4. The Midnight Sled Run
Forget midnight mass; it’s all about midnight sledding. The group grabs cafeteria trays, inflatable pool toys, or a couple of “borrowed” rental skis and races down the bunny hill in total darkness. Someone inevitably gets launched into a snowbank, and it’s always the best laugh of the night.
5. The Onesie Party
Yes, the Christmas Eve Onesie Party is a thing, and it’s glorious. Whether it’s a snowboarding reindeer or a skiing elf, everyone dons their most ridiculous, over-the-top onesie for lodge karaoke or a group photo in front of the tree. If you’re not sweating in fleece by the end, you’re not doing it right.
6. Telling Tales by the Fire
After a long day on the slopes, the group gathers by the lodge fire to swap stories of epic powder runs, gnarly crashes, and near-misses with ski patrol. The stories always start as 80% truth and 20% exaggeration, but by the end of the night, it’s 10% truth and 90% absurdity.
7. The Christmas Eve Lights Ride
For those lucky enough to be near a night-skiing resort, there’s no better tradition than catching the last chair under the glow of holiday lights. The trails sparkle, the air is crisp, and for a brief moment, snowboarders and skiers alike find themselves filled with holiday stoke.
8. The Carve-O-Lantern Tradition
Okay, this one’s a little weird, but some snowboarders carve Christmas trees and snowflakes into the snow banks near the lodge using their boards. It’s equal parts art and an excuse to show off their carving skills. Skiers usually just watch and mutter, “That’s not how you use an edge.”
9. The Nightcap Toast
As the night winds down, the crew gathers for a final toast. Mulled wine? Sure. Spiked eggnog? Absolutely. Someone even brought out a flask of peppermint schnapps. But the real toast is to powder-filled Christmas mornings, untouched slopes, and another year of shred-worthy memories.
Christmas Eve on the Mountain
Whether you’re a skier or a snowboarder, Christmas Eve traditions on the slopes are about more than just riding—they’re about camaraderie, laughter, and making memories that stick around longer than the season. So this year, swap the ugly sweater party for a midnight sled race, and raise your cocoa mugs to the most wonderful time of the year.
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