Plot
Taylor Jacobson works at Clotz' Cookies, but gets fired just before Christmas. Although overdue on rent, she hopes her daughter Zoey can join a local snowboarding class. Taylor's brother Eric and partner Kenny discover Sun Peak ski resort employees get a discount.
A desperate single mother, Taylor seeks employment at the resort. Although not hiring, she overhears marketing VP Natasha mentioning their dire need for a Santa as theirs retired. Taylor gets Eric and Kenny to disguise her as an elderly man to apply.
Matthew Layne is the resort owner Robert's son, so is acting general manager to compensate for recklessness in Italy, as the previous one left abruptly. Both Matthew and Taylor arrive late to the interview. As no-one else is convincing, Natasha pushes Matthew to OK 'Hugh', whose disguise fooled them.
Afterwards, speaking privately with 'Hugh', Matthew senses they met before. Taylor actually had met him earlier in a used record shop. Matthew tried to ask her out, after recognizing her from her teen rock band, 'The Screaming Kittens'.
Taylor's building superintendent/neighbor Doralee is suddenly friendly and forgiving of the late rent. Hoping to get on her good side, the lonely Doralee is attracted to 'Hugh'. She plans to seduce the unmarried older man, who Taylor claimed was her visiting father.
At the resort, Matthew reprimands 'Hugh' for his interaction with kids. He is getting negative buzz for discouraging them from requesting expensive gifts. 'Hugh' explains he is helping the parents. Afterwards, Matthew requests advice about Taylor, who he cannot stop thinking about.
'Hugh' asks the 15 y.o. Zoey for her Christmas wish. Although no longer believing in Santa, she wishes her mother would start dating, as she is too focused on her. After googling 'The Screaming Kittens', Zoey suspects she used to be fun.
Later, as 'Hugh' interacts with the kids, he works to connect with them. Soon, the word gets out, and suddenly the public loves him. A viral video of 'Hugh' helping a girl with a stutter gets him invited to the resort's annual Christmas party.
Before the invite is given, Zoey coaxes Taylor into meeting Matthew for hot chocolate. Getting to know each other, she reveals her pregnancy by her rocker boyfriend forced her to quit college, but he continued pursuing music. Matthew admits to being unruly since his mom died when he was 15.
During the day, Matthew reteaches Taylor to ski. They further connect, as when she falls, he helps her up. Then Matthew invites Taylor to the resort's Christmas party.
Unable to find 'Hugh' on Google with his name or image, Natasha discovers his social security number is Taylor's. At the party, with Eric and Kenny's help, Taylor switches back and forth between the disguise and her red dress until Natasha calls 'Hugh' a fake. Before she can respond, Zoey gets hurt on the slope, so she responds with her natural voice and hurries to the ambulance.
Ava, a snobby girl from Zoey's snowboarding course and Natasha's daughter, explains what happened. In front of the crowd, Taylor removes the disguise, coming clean. Afterwards, as Natasha lists ways to retaliate, Robert refuses, but wants to blame someone, so Matthew steps forward and Robert fires him.
Ava asks Natalie about Zoey's condition. When she praises Taylor, her mother calls her a fraud. Ava defends her, especially for her listening skills. So, the mother and daughter have a heart-to-heart.
At home, Taylor and Zoey talk about what happened. The teen mentions the unmasking video has gone viral. Taylor apologizes for embarrassing her, but Zoey is proud. Talking about Matthew, Taylor mentions he has not called.
Later on, talking to Matthew about the resort's closing Christmas concert, Natasha suggests he give the official remarks. Matthew quite skillfully apologizes for the resort's now lack of Santa and the confusion surrounding it. He reminds everyone the concept of Santa is really kindness, generosity and love.
Upon Doralee's advice, Taylor joins Matthew on the stage. Apologizing to everyone for what happened, she explains she had needed a job and wanted to help Zoey, so took the opportunity to embody Santa when it emerged. Taylor and Matthew admit their mutual feelings for each other, and kiss. On Christmas Day, both families and an invited Doralee celebrate as she catches Robert under the mistletoe.
