Top 10 Places For Snowboard Travel

From high in the Swiss Alps to deep in the great Canadian Rocky Mountains, there are an abundance of remarkable snowboarding hills across the globe that offer adventure,  enjoyment, and an overall life-changing experience. Whether you’re on the hunt for the best fresh powder on the slopes or the top backcountry terrain, we’ve got you covered. Here are the top 10 destinations for snowboard travel that you need to add to your bucket list today!

1. Whistler, British Columbia

Whistler has become one of the major snowboarding hotspots in the world. Since hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, this highly rated mountain has continued to be all the buzz for both locals and tourists.

Sitting only two hours from the heart of downtown Vancouver, BC, Whisler has everything from the powder, the parks, and especially the backcountry! You’ll find deep tree runs, steep-to-moderate slopes, and over 450 inches of fresh powder — what more can a snowboarder ask for?

2. Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
   

The gorgeous slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo, also known as “the Dolomites” are some of the very best snowboard mountains for a good reason. Right around mid-October, this mountain turns into a winter wonderland with an abundance of fresh powder and blue sky days. Looking out at the view at the top of each chair lift, the gorgeous Cortina d’Ampezzo offers the perfect choice for a true Italian snowboard experience.

3. Breckenridge, Colorado

Among the many incredible mountains in Colorado, Breckenridge is one of the very best. Hosting professional athletes from all over the globe on a daily basis, this mountain is truly a competitive snowboarder's dream. Combining unparalleled freeride with 5 different terrain parks and an Olympic class 22 foot half pipe, this Breckenridge has it all. Plus, with over 25 acres of diverse landscape, there are a variety of slopes for all levels of snowboarders.

4. Ruka, Finland

For the novice snowboarder, Ruka is an incredible mountain for some of the best beginner slopes with a gorgeous landscape. As one of the lower altitude snowboarding mountains, Ruka offers natural beauty, steady runs, and plenty of beginner-friends options. Not to mention, you’ll get the best of both worlds in terms of amazing European snowboard conditions without the crazy long lift lineups!

5. Mount Baker, Washington

The famous Mount Baker has a long history for snowboarders. As one of the top snowboarding resorts in the world, Mount Baker embraced these athletes with open arms many years before it was socially acceptable. Thanks to the epic snowfall and annual Mount Baker Banked Slalom race, this mountain draws snowboarders in from all over the world to watch and compete.

6. Treble Cone, New Zealand

Although New Zealand isn’t necessarily known as the top snowboard destination, Treble Cone is definitely an outlier of the bunch. While North America and Europe experience a blistering hot summer, avid snowboarders can take a trip out to the Southern Hemisphere between July and September to get some shredding in.

Unlike most other ski resorts, Treble Cone is quite unique since it is located in an open snowfield, making it appear like an endless ocean of white snow without a single tree in sight. Snowboarders can choose any which way down the hill without having the constraints of an established trail. On the back side, this hill offers tons of advanced terrain including chutes, powder bowls, and even some extra steep slopes.

7. Chamonix, France

The French alpines are an absolute favorite for both local and tourist snowboarders. Just shy of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is Europe’s second tallest mountain with an abundance of backcountry terrain to explore. For the experienced snowboarders, you can hire a mountain guide to take you from the top of Aiguille du Midi for a wicked ride through untouched powder all the way down.

8. Verbier, Switzerland

Also known as the “Swiss Chamonix”, Verbier has been loved by avid snowboarders for the challenging alpine terrain and impressive freeriding slopes. Without a doubt, this hill tops the charts as one of the best in the world for snowboarders. After a few rides, you’ll see why!

Sitting tall at over 10,000 feet elevation at the summit, this impressive Swiss mountain offers varying levels of challenges from family-friendly terrain all the way up to double black diamond slopes. The best part is, no matter where you are on the mountain you’ll be blown away by the extraordinary scenery and picture-esque views.

9. Anton, Austria

Austria is another remarkable destination for several top snowboarding resorts. Among them is St. Anton, the “cradle of alpine skiing” yet a true classic for all levels of snowboarders. Offering both beginner-friendly and intermediate level trails, this mountain mixes fun in with a challenge. Plus, throughout the winter months, St. Anton is known to get an impressive snowfall that is sure to delight those powder-seekers.

10. Mammoth Mountain, California

Surprisingly, California is so much more than sandy beaches and gorgeous weather. Mammoth Mountain is one of the very best snowboard destinations along the west coast of the USA. Compared to Lake Tahoe, another excellent ski resort in California, Mammoth Mountain is catered more to snowboarders since it’s known to get way more snow. Thanks to this heavy snowfall throughout the season, you’ll even get a longer season for maximum shredding time — it’s a win-win at Mammoth Mountain!