Top 5 Ski Towns for Celebrating the Fourth of July

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Beers, brats, grilling—July 4th is a time-honored American tradition that’s only made better by fresh, crisp mountain air. At ski towns across the nation, revelers can take in the sights and, in many cases, finish the day with a booming fireworks show. Parades and running often crowd the schedule, too, so from dawn until the sun sets, there won’t be a dull moment. Just don't forget to stay hydrated.These are five ski towns with a stacked list of Independence Day festivities—plus a little beta on where you can find snow during the warmer months to keep skiing.Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.

What would July 4th be without Mammoth Mountain's mascot, Woolly?

Photo: Courtesy Mammoth Lakes Tourism/Patrick Griley

1. Mammoth Lakes, California

Mammoth Lakes—and its accompanying, appropriately named ski resort, Mammoth Mountain—are both known for their laid-back, high-altitude breeziness. After the snow melts and the lifts stop spinning, the area transforms into a cool summertime hideaway for those who want a break from the Californian heat.This July 4th, several activities and events will keep the area's off-season buzz alive. The day starts with a hearty pancake breakfast at the Lions Club, with $15 scoring a bottomless stack of cakes, plus orange juice, coffee, and sausage. Later on, a parade marches through the heart of town down Main Street. If you’re the running type, you can participate in the Annual Footloose Freedom Mile, a mile-long fun run that could help you start a calorie deficit before the impending hot dog onslaught.Mammoth Lakes, as its name would imply, has plenty of water around, including Crowley Lake, where, at 9:15 p.m., visitors and locals can revel in a display with more than 700 fireworks.

Related: The 8 Best Ski Resorts for Summer Skiing

It wouldn't be an Independence Day parade in Jackson, Wyoming, without horses.

Photo: Courtesy of the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce

2. Jackson, Wyoming

Cowboys, couloirs, and millionaires—Jackson has more walks of life than you can count. But the town’s varied July 4th celebrations bring the town together, including several opportunities to watch fireworks. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, which is a quick drive outside Jackson, will host two firework shows—one on July 3rd and one on July 4th—and two free concerts. Snow King, the other local ski resort, has a separate firework show, also scheduled for the 4th. In Jackson, a parade winds through town starting at 10:30 a.m. The contents of the procession vary, but eagle-eyed skiers will spot a hulking memento of the town’s skiing history: one of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s original aerial tram cars. The top three floats will come away with prizes, adding a bit of suspense. Finally, this is Jackson we’re talking about—there is, in fact, a rodeo, but at the time of writing this, tickets for the 4th are sold out.

A firework explodes above Whitefish Lake.

Photo: Courtesy Explore Whitefish

3. Whitefish, Montana

Lakeside firework viewing is Whitefish’s biggest July 4th draw—the pyrotechnics display is so picturesque that the New York Times even took notice. It starts around 10:30 p.m. at the City Beach along the edge of Whitefish Lake, but showing up early never hurts, as vendors carrying shaved ice, mini-doughnuts, ice cream, corn dogs, and barbecue are set to get the party started ahead of the fireworks.

Related: The 6 Best Ski Areas for Hiking in North America

Stars, stripes, Aspen, Colorado.

Photo: Jeremy Swanson

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4. Aspen, Colorado

Aspen might be the glitziest ski town on Earth, but what about Independence Day? The town has that base covered, too. It begins with the Boogie’s Buddy Race, which has 5-mile, 5k, and 1-mile categories, depending on your appetite for cardio fitness. The Old Fashioned Parade kicks off a few hours later, including floats and the town’s fleet of fire trucks spraying water to help attendees cool down. The activities don’t stop there. A fundraiser and barbecue for the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard starts just after the parade, followed by a free community concert in Wagner Park featuring the band FRUITION. Instead of fireworks, Aspen will cap off July 4th with a synchronized drone show.

Breckenridge 4th of July parade.

Photo: bluefootage/Getty Images

5. Breckenridge, Colorado

In true mountain town fashion, Breckenridge’s July 4th activities include multiple opportunities to test your VO2 max. The Independence Day 10k trail running race is the first, followed by a 50-yard strider bike race for kids younger than seven. Then comes the aptly named Firecracker 50 mountain bike race.You don’t need to sweat hard to have a good time, though. Just after the mountain bikers depart, Breckenridge’s July 4th parade begins. Afterward, stick around the Blue River Plaza for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and a performance from the National Repertory Alumni Quartet.Like Aspen, Breckenridge won’t have a fireworks display. Due to the risk of wildfires and the town’s low-humidity climate, Breckenridge keeps its Independence Day celebrations fireworks-free.

Related: The 10 Best Ski Town Breweries According to POWDER Staff

Copper Mountain's hike park

Photo: Courtesy Copper Mountain

Where Can You Ski on July 4th?

Some summers, several ski resorts are open on July 4th. Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe, California, have both spun their lifts into July. But this year, the crop is small, technically only including one ski resort, Timberline Lodge, Oregon. Timberline is North America’s most reliable, lift-served summer skiing destination. If you want to celebrate the holiday by skiing slush, grilling hot dogs, and taking a dip in the lake, Timberline Lodge is the place to do so. There are other, less conventional options, though. Skiing inside of a fridge may not seem like the usual way to celebrate July 4th, but Big Snow American Dream—a sprawling, indoor ski facility just outside New York City—is open year-round. If you’d prefer to stay outside and don’t need the convenience of a ski lift, there’s the hike park at Copper Mountain, Colorado, perfect for those who want to hone their rail tricks during the off-season.The backcountry isn’t going anywhere either, provided you have the gear and the skills required.After all, what’s more American than recreating on public lands?

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Top 5 Ski Towns for Celebrating the Fourth of July first appeared on Powder on Jun 28, 2025