If you’re ready to trade the same old living-room routine for a Christmas your family will actually remember, this is your moment. From twinkling winter wonderlands to sun-soaked escapes, these destinations deliver the kind of holiday magic that wraps everyone, kids, grandparents, and even hard-to-impress teens, into the spirit of the season.
Whether you're dreaming of skiing down powdery slopes, enjoying twinkling Christmas lights, or simply relaxing in a cozy setting, we've got you covered. Book your stay with the Vacation Rental Collective, and get ready to discover the best spots to celebrate Christmas and create unforgettable holiday memories with your loved ones.
These are our top 5 destinations for this year’ family Christmas trip.
Durango shines at Christmastime with its cozy, small-town feel paired with dramatic snowy mountain views - and the vacation rentals that will put you in the middle of it all. Holiday lights line the historic downtown, warm cafés glow with locals sipping hot chocolate, and the whole town feels like it was built for winter memories.
Just a short drive away, Purgatory Ski Resort transforms Durango into a full winter playground. Families can enjoy wide, well-groomed runs perfect for beginners, thrilling terrain for advanced skiers, and gorgeous mountain vistas at every turn.
New for this season, a recently added chairlift opens up roughly 40 acres of advanced and expert terrain along with five new trails, giving stronger skiers in the group more to chase while everyone else sticks to the wide groomers. Kids 12 and under ski free all season with no blackout dates, which takes real pressure off a holiday-week trip with a full family.
Beyond skiing, Purgatory offers tubing hills, snowcat adventures, and scenic winter hikes that showcase the San Juan Mountains at their snowy best. It’s the kind of place where every winter day feels like a postcard.
Book your Christmas stay in Durango.
Bend, Oregon, is a fantastic choice for families who want winter adventure wrapped in a festive, small-city atmosphere. The town blends lively holiday markets, cozy cafés, and scenic snowy trails, creating a relaxed yet adventure-filled Christmas getaway. With its charming downtown and easy access to nature, vacation rentals in Bend feel like the perfect balance of fun and peaceful holiday escape.
Just a short drive from town, Mt. Bachelor offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest. Its wide variety of terrain makes it perfect for beginners learning the ropes, intermediates refining their turns, and powder seekers chasing deep snow.
Whether you're spending full days on the mountain or mixing in tubing and snowshoeing, Mt. Bachelor brings the classic winter magic families love during the holidays.
Mt. Bachelor typically opens for the season in early December, so a Christmas trip lands comfortably inside the window. Snow years in the Cascades can swing hard, though, so check the mountain report before you book if skiing is the centerpiece of the trip rather than a bonus.
Book your Christmas stay in Bend.
Vail feels like it was designed for Christmas: snow-draped rooftops, twinkling alpine villages, and that unmistakable Rocky Mountain charm. December transforms the town into a true winter postcard, complete with festive lights, decorated shopfronts, and an après-ski scene that’s as cozy as it is lively.
Families love the mix of luxury and approachability: you get world-class amenities without losing the intimate, small-town holiday feel. It truly is hard to beat Christmas in Vail.
Vail Mountain is one of North America’s premier winter destinations for a reason. With over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain, ranging from gentle beginner runs in Golden Peak to the legendary Back Bowls for thrill-seekers, there’s something for everyone in the family.
Ski schools are top-notch (perfect for first-timers), lift lines move quickly, and snow conditions in December are reliably fantastic. Even non-skiers can take the gondola up for mountaintop views, tubing, and winter walks.
The pedestrian-friendly village is where Vail truly shines at Christmastime. Picture cobblestone pathways lined with bakeries, chocolate shops, boutique stores, and après-ski fire pits scattered throughout the village.
Families can ice skate under the stars at the Alderhof Ice Rink at The Arrabelle at Vail Square, sip hot cocoa while browsing holiday markets, or duck into a slope-side lodge for fondue or fire-roasted brats. If the weather turns, Dobson Ice Arena in Lionshead is the indoor backup.
Vail goes all-in for the holidays. Expect tree-lighting ceremonies, lantern walks, cookie-decorating workshops, and live music throughout the season.
Kids love the Kris Kringle Market and the chance to spot Santa skiing down the mountain. If your trip stretches into New Year’s Eve, the annual Torchlight Parade at Golden Peak, where ski instructors carve down the mountain holding glowing flares ahead of a fireworks show, is pure mountain magic. The parade depends on snow cover, so check the schedule before you count on it.
Book your Christmas stay in Vail.
Moab is the perfect choice for families who want a Christmas adventure without deep snow and bitter mountain cold. December brings crisp, sunny days and cool desert air, ideal for exploring without the crowds or the summer heat. Pack layers, since nights still drop below freezing.
Booking a vacation rental means dramatic red rock landscapes take on a golden winter glow, offering a completely different kind of holiday magic compared to classic snowy destinations.
Winter is one of the best times to visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, when trailheads and viewpoints are blissfully quiet. Families can hike iconic routes like Delicate Arch, The Windows, or Mesa Arch with far fewer people around, making the experience feel personal and awe-inspiring.
Scenic drives, wildlife spotting, and easy strolls through red rock valleys are all more enjoyable without the summer heat.
Moab shines in winter thanks to a huge lineup of outdoor adventures that don’t require snow. Families can book guided Jeep tours through backcountry trails, explore towering canyons on family-friendly hikes, or rent bikes to cruise along the Colorado River.
Winter nights are famously clear, making Moab one of the best places for stargazing, with astronomy tours offering unforgettable views of the Milky Way stretching across the desert sky.
Book your Christmas stay in Moab.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a standout family Christmas destination thanks to its unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Old World influences, all wrapped in a beautifully lit, adobe-lined winter setting. The city glows with farolitos (traditional paper lanterns), festive lights along Canyon Road, and holiday markets filled with handcrafted art, pottery, jewelry, and regional treats. It’s a Christmas experience unlike anywhere else in the country: warm, artistic, historic, and deeply atmospheric.
Just a short, scenic drive from town, Ski Santa Fe offers excellent skiing and snowboarding on powdery high-altitude slopes, with terrain suitable for beginners all the way to advanced riders. Families will appreciate the approachable layout, stunning mountain views, and the fun, relaxed vibe on the mountain.
For those wanting more technical terrain, Taos Ski Valley is within reach, one of the country’s premier destinations for steep chutes, bowls, and expert-level thrills.
Off the slopes, Santa Fe transforms into a festive playground, complete with holiday markets, art walks, seasonal performances, and traditional celebrations, such as the Christmas Eve Canyon Road Walk. Families can wander historic downtown, sip hot chocolate infused with red chile, or try award-winning Southwestern cuisine after a day in the snow.
Book your Christmas stay in Santa Fe.
No matter which destination you choose, snow-dusted mountains, festive towns, or warm desert landscapes, your Christmas vacation becomes unforgettable when you have the right place to stay.
Vacation Rental Collective offers hand-picked homes, cozy cabins, and family-friendly retreats in the best holiday destinations, providing you with space to relax, reconnect, and create lasting memories together. Explore our curated collection and book your Christmas stay today.
8 guests
4 rooms
4 baths
Durango, CO
6 guests
3 rooms
3 baths
Moab, UT
4 guests
2 rooms
1 baths
Vail - Beaver Creek, CO
8 guests
2 rooms
2 baths
Winter Park, CO
8 guests
4 rooms
3 baths
Estes Park, CO
14 guests
5 rooms
3 baths
North Idaho
4 guests
2 rooms
2 baths
Moab, UT
17 guests
6 rooms
4 baths
Durango, CO
6 guests
3 rooms
2 baths
Northwoods, WI
8 guests
3 rooms
3 baths
Ridgway, CO
6 guests
3 rooms
3 baths
Moab, UT
6 guests
2 rooms
2 baths
South Fork, CO
