It’s A New Day, It’s A New Dawn, It’s A New Year

There’s something undeniably exhilarating about pushing off for that first run of the day, but for me personally, it’s even more exceptional when it’s the first run on the first day of a brand New Year. Gliding down a freshly pisted run is like making a fresh start in every sense.

In my teenage years, I usually welcomed in the New Year down my local pub or at a party, counting down to midnight, and then hugging as many people as possible before making resolutions that were quickly forgotten about.

I still recognise the New Year as a fresh start of some kind, but it is the dawn of the new first day of the year that I find intoxicating – rather than an intoxicated midnight toast.

And if you love skiing and snowboarding, making that first run is a wonderful way to start a New Year. In ski areas, there are always plenty of opportunities and different ways to celebrate. Bars and restaurants offer special entertainment and extended après ski, and resorts often put on special music concerts where you can dance in the streets before joining in a mass countdown to midnight and the beginning of a New Year.

If you prefer something a little more sedate, catered chalet companies will organise special New Year’s Eve dinners where you can enjoy the company of family and friends in a more intimate atmosphere.

Seeing in the New Year in a ski resort has become extremely popular and bookings this year have been particularly buoyant. There is still availability if you know where to look… and Ski Line know where to look!

Resorts always have some form of celebrations and so to give you a flavour, here are just a few examples of what you can expect from a ski and snowboard trip in some of the European areas over the New Year.

Kitzbuhel, Austria

Kitzbühel’s New Year’s festivities begin on 30 December, when attractive light installations will illuminate the historic town centre from dusk until 10pm. They will remain until New Year’s Day.

On New Year’s Eve (31 December 2024) street performers will fill the Vorderstadt and Hinterstadt, providing entertainment for all ages.

On New Year’s Day (1 January 2025) Kitzbühel Stadtmusik will start at 3pm followed by a diverse music lineup and DJ set at 4pm on a special stage in Vorderstadt, along with an LED show and a fire show.

For details of New Year offers and other accommodation options in Kitzbühel CLICK HERE

Les Arcs, France

Les Arcs is welcoming in 2025 by hosting its first ever ‘Ice Night’ on New Year’s Eve (31 December 2024). The event is family focussed with a treasure hunt, where children have to break through ice to find clues and the treasure.

For details of New Year offers and other accommodation options in Les Arcs CLICK HERE

Les Gets, France

Toddlers have their own early New Year’s Eve party in the Portes du Soleil resort of Les Gets when they can bust some dance moves at an outdoor concert and enjoy some tasty treats in the form of marshmallows and hot chocolate. This will be followed by a fireworks display for everyone starting at 7.30pm. Adults can then enjoy a Champagne and Champomy bar as the countdown to midnight gets underway.

For details of New Year offers and other accommodation options in Les Gets CLICK HERE

Innsbruck, Austria

The capital of the Austrian Tyrol is offering a selection of celebrations. Younger visitors can enjoy the various play and craft stations at the Children’s New Year’s Eve, celebrated on 30 December 2024 in Innsbruck’s old town and on the square in front of the State Theatre.

The following day, the same square plays host to the ‘grownups’, who can get in the mood for the upcoming New Year with a live band and DJ before the countdown to the start of a fireworks display on the Nordkette range.

SILVESTERBEATS, Austria’s biggest indoor New Year’s Eve clubbing event, opens its doors at the Congress Centre to all those wanting to dance late into the night.

During the whole festive period, there will be innovative 3D light projections by international artists onto four prominent building façades in Innsbruck, including the Imperial Palace and the rows of houses in the Mariahilf district from 29 December 2024 to 6 January 2025. Also, from 1 to 6 January 2025, visitors can enjoy the Twelve Nights of Christmas in the Waltherpark where there will be atmospheric light installations on trees and wooden portals.

For details of New Year offers and other accommodation options in Innsbruck CLICK HERE

Davos/Klosters, Switzerland

Music will fill the streets of Davos and Klosters on New Year’s Eve when performers will play at several different locations around the resorts. From 11pm in the Montana Areal there will be a light show and a ‘Best of Klosters 2024 review of the year followed by a firework show to welcome in the New Year.

For those who prefer a more traditional meal with friends and family, they can take the mountain railway at 7.15pm up to the snowy peak of the Jakobshorn. Enjoy a hot aperitif or a glass of Prosecco before a festive New Year’s Eve meal in the cosy chalet. Welcome the New Year with a toast on the terrace then celebrate in the Lower Bar with live music. From 12.45am, the mountain railway will take you back down to the valley every 30 minutes.

The price per person is CHF 235 including mountain railway return ticket, welcome drink, dinner, live band. Drinks not included.

Alternatively, enjoy a meal on the Rinerhorn in the Jatzmeder mountain restaurant. The ski and toboggan run will also be open.

On New Year’s Day, Klosters will be entertaining visitors with traditional pig racing between 3-6pm. During the ‘Hotschrennen’, the racing will be shown live on a big screen, there will be a Hotsch raffle, and a New Year’s aperitif with Röteli, Birrabrot and Totenbeinli.

For details of New Year offers and other accommodation options in Davos CLICK HERE

and for Klosters CLICK HERE

It’s A New Day, It’s A New Dawn, It’s A New Year: A Summary

Celebrating the New Year on the slopes has become a beloved tradition, with European ski resorts offering a range of festivities. Kitzbühel, Austria, lights up with street performances and music, while Les Arcs, France, hosts a family-friendly “Ice Night.” Les Gets entertains children with early evening fireworks and hot chocolate, and Innsbruck dazzles visitors with 3D light projections and a mix of kids’ and adult events. Davos and Klosters in Switzerland feature musical street performances, mountaintop dinners, and a unique pig race on New Year’s Day. These resorts offer everything from lively parties to intimate gatherings, making them ideal destinations for a memorable New Year.