Thanksgiving falls at the very start of Vail's ski season. In 2026 Thanksgiving Day is November 26, and Vail Mountain's planned opening day is Friday, November 13, two weeks earlier. Dinner reservations fill early, the village's holiday events begin the day after Thanksgiving, and crowds are generally lighter than in Christmas week.
Skiing over Thanksgiving
Opening day is planned for November 13, weather permitting, so the mountain should have been open for about two weeks by Thanksgiving. Early-season terrain is limited, though. When Vail opened on November 14, 2025, it had 80 acres on Ramshorn and Swingsville, reached by Gondola One and Chair 4, plus a beginner area in Lionshead. The Vail and Lionshead areas were not linked on snow, so skiers rode the free town bus between them and had to download the gondolas at the end of the day. Snowmaking usually keeps late November skiing available, but check conditions with your lodging or rental shop before you plan around it.
Paid parking in the Vail and Lionshead structures began on opening day in 2025, at $10 an hour with a $50 daily maximum for stays over five hours and $60 overnight. See when Vail ski resort opens and where to park at Vail for the rest of the planning.
Thanksgiving dinner
Restaurants across the villages serve holiday menus, and reservations fill quickly, so call to confirm holiday service and book early. These five are set up for Thanksgiving:
| Restaurant | Where | Thanksgiving |
|---|---|---|
| Tavernetta | Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail | Italian cooking paired with holiday favorites; the kitchen adapts menus for allergies |
| The Remedy | Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail | Casual lodge setting with an a la carte Thanksgiving menu and fireplaces |
| The Fitz | Golden Peak area | Roast turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie; space for larger groups |
| Ridge + River | Manor Vail Lodge | Thanksgiving menu alongside the regular one (bison short ribs, Colorado trout); intimate room with a fireplace |
| Vail Chophouse | 675 Lionshead Place, Lionshead | Prix fixe holiday menu from 3 p.m.; reservations required |
The Four Seasons opens reservations for both of its restaurants 60 days ahead for resort guests and 30 days ahead for everyone else. For a table on November 26, that means September 27 and October 27. If you would rather cook, Antlers at Vail, Vail Spa Condominiums and the residences at Grand Hyatt Vail have full kitchens, and Lodge Tower condos, 100 yards from Gondola One, sleep up to eight with a kitchen and dining area. Double Diamond Chefs cooks in vacation rentals, and chefs book up over the holiday.
Thanksgiving weekend events
Vail Après, the town's early-season series, runs from November 13 to January 3 in 2026-27. Around Thanksgiving it includes:
- Wednesday, November 25: a Silent Disco in Lionshead, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, November 27: the Lionshead tree lighting, with Smile with Santa from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and a free 15-minute elite skating show at the Arrabelle rink, with performances at 4:45 and 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, November 28: a ticketed concert marking the reopening of Dobson Arena after its renovation, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., with Trampled by Turtles and Old Crow Medicine Show with the Lindsay Lou Trio.
- Sunday, November 29: Smile with Santa at the International Bridge in Vail Village, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The skating shows continue on Saturdays through January 2: at the Arrabelle rink through December 19, then at the Solaris Plaza rink in Vail Village on December 26 and January 2. The Christmas-season version of these events is in things to do in Vail at Christmas.
Sleigh ride and dinner
4 Eagle Ranch runs a traditional winter sleigh ride and dinner behind Percheron draft horses. Sleigh rides are a winter-season activity, so ask about Thanksgiving weekend availability when you call (970) 926-3372.
Shopping and quiet days
Many shops, galleries and boutiques in Vail Village and Lionshead stay open over the weekend, which makes it a natural time to start holiday gifts; the Vail shopping directory lists them. For a day without skis, the snowshoeing guide covers the trails. Hotels are compared in best hotels in Vail, and the rest of the month is in what to do in Vail in November.
