We are looking at taking a trip the weekend before christmas, as we live in FL and need to see a little snow to get into the christmas spirit.
Which ski area do you think would have the best atmosphere, decorations, etc.?
We have been to breckenridge and would prefer to try another area...

We are considering Steamboat Springs. Is it similar to breckenridge...good skiing, but also the small town feeling?

Call me silly but I love Vail for the terrain and the village. There is Keystone also--probably not as much ambience/decor.
Your reservations might be what will determine where you go at this date.

I think that either Vail or Steamboat will be decorated and lovely. Because vail is so large, even if the whole area isn't open early, there's still lots of skiing.

Aspen or Steamboat Springs. Both were towns long before the ski industry arrived, and both have the "mountain-town" history and atmosphere similar to what Breckenridge has.

Vail, although a wonderful area in it's own right, basically emerged as a town in the 1950's after World War 2 veterans returned and crafted a ski hill out of the adjoining mountainside.

We always go the first week in Dec. so haven't seen all of the Christmas decorations. But.... we stayed at Beaver Creek last year. There is an ice skating rink in the center of the village which I'm sure would be decorated well. Nice shops and places to eat but not as large as Vail and not as many as Breckenridge. We are going to Vail this year. I have been to Vail village in summer and would guess it will have loads of lights for you.

Aspen or Breck. Both were towns in the silver mining era and are pretty cute. Of the two Aspen is my favorite as it is less crowded (no daytrippers from Denver) and with all the "old painted ladies" from a century ago.

The Hotel Jerome will be expensive and likely booked solid but is beautiful to behold. The little J Bar to the left of the lobby for a drink and the Century Room for brunch harken back to a different era.

Check out www.aspensnowmass.com for a very recent picture slide show that (at least a couple of days ago) had a nice shot of the Cooper Street Mall (pedestrian street) covered in snow and all lit up.