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10 Best Snowboarding Resorts In World

These are the best snowboarding resorts in the world. How many can you tick off?

Photo: iStock

When looking for the best snowboarding resorts in the world, there are so many to choose from.

Some people would argue North America is home to the best parks and powder out there, others would say Europe can top it every time. From epic freeriding terrain to the best parks in the world, it’s really hard just to pick ten.

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Whether you are obsessed with the steep lines in Switzerland‘s Verbier or the epic park at Breckenridge in Colorado, USA, we can guarantee these resorts will fill the gap for every kind of snowboarder.

Here is a quick rundown of the best snowboarding resorts in the world (in no particular order)…

VERBIER, SWITZERLAND

Verbier, Switzerland – it’s expensive but the terrain is unbelievably good. Photo: iStock

It’s certainly not the cheapest resort in the world, but there’s a reason this Swiss mountain town constantly makes it on lists of the best snowboarding resorts in the world.

It has some of the best freeride terrain in Europe on its doorstep. Every year the final leg of the Freeride World Tour is held in Verbier. Whitelines call it “the Swiss version of Chamonix” because it has some of the gnarliest, technical descents in the world.

Make sure you get first lifts because the locals know exactly where to head when there’s been a metre of fresh overnight – or hire a guide to explore the epic backcountry.

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, USA

Mammoth Mountain, California’s mecca for snowboarders. Photo: iStock

Mammoth Mountain is the original Californian mecca for snowboarders.

With dozens of metres of snow falling here every season, you can get the most epic powder days as well as the chance to slash around the nine (yes, nine!) world-class freestyle parks here. South Park is the one to head to if you are an intermediate/advanced rider.

Mammoth also gets a lot of sunshine, so taking the time to sip a cold beer from the Mammoth Brewing Company afterwards is a must-do.

NISEKO UNITED, JAPAN

Powder hunting in Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan. Photo: iStock

Niseko United has got to be the most well-known snowboarding resort in Japan – especially when it comes to riding powder.

The Land of the Rising Sun is lucky enough to have some of the biggest snowfalls in the world – around 14m per year – making this the number one place to visit on many pow hunters’ bucket lists.

Rumour has it you can ride through waist deep powder and by the time you’ve made it to the top of the run again, your tracks will have been entirely covered by fresh snow. Amazing, huh?

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB, CANADA

Photo: Whistler Blackcomb

When you ask any snowboarder what they think the best snowboarding resort in Canada is, you can bet they will say Whistler.

Just under two hour’s drive from Vancouver, you can find yourself in one of the biggest skiing areas in the world.

Whistler has everything – the powder, the parks and the backcountry.Think steep, deep tree runs, 3,000 metres of vertical terrain and over 450 inches of fresh snow every year. Plus the apres isn’t half bad either.

MOUNT BAKER, WASHINGTON, USA

Legendary snowboarder Craig Kelly liked Mount Baker so much, he moved there. Photo: iStock

Mount Baker has long been at the heart of snowboarding’s history. It was one of the best snowboarding resorts in the early days to embrace snowboarding when others turned away.

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Legend Craig Kelly liked riding Mount Baker’s terrain so much, he relocated there for good. It’s all about off-piste and epic trees runs here. Plus Mount Baker is often blessed with epic snowfalls – one they received a massive 29m in one winter!

Every year they hold the infamous Mount Baker Banked Slalom which draws snowboarders from all over the world to watch and compete. Oh, and make sure you check this place out mid-week, it’s the best way to escape the weekend crowds.

CHAMONIX, FRANCE

Chamonix, the mountaineering epicentre of Europe and perfect for freeride-mad snowboarders. Photo: iStock

Forget extra long hoodies, skinny pants and bucket hats. Chamonix is all about ropes, carabiners and ice exes. Snowboarders that come here are looking to rappel into some of the world’s gnarliest off-piste rather than hit the park.

Beneath the shadow of Mont Blanc, Europe’s tallest mountain, is Chamonix, a mecca for mountaineers and adventurous freeride snowboarders. There is plenty of backcountry terrain to explore just a short traverse from the top of the lifts.

For the ultimate adventure, hire a guide to take you from the top of the Aiguille du Midi for an epic long ride down to the valley below.

BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO, USA

Fresh fluffy snow and one of the best parks in the world – welcome to Breckenridge. Photo: iStock

Breckenridge has one of the top five parks in the entire world, stretching across 25 acres of the mountain with everything thing from a mini jib run to gigantic pro kickers.

There’s a reason they have held Olympic qualifiers here, plus the pro snowboarder training camp, Woodward, is just down the road.

Pow hunters will not be disappointed either. Fresh, light, fluffy snow is a regular occurrence in Colorado. Peak 9 and 10 have some steep stuff a short hike away, plus some excellent tree runs.

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING, USA

Who doesn’t want to visit Jackson Hole? Photo: iStock

Jackson Hole is widely regarded as one of the best snowboarding resorts in the world.

Freeriding is the name of the game here. Snowboarders flock here to explore the epic Teton Range with steep lines, deep powder and super fun tree runs.

Legend Travis Rice hails from this neck of the woods – with such a huge amount of backcountry terrain to explore, you can see why. Within resort boundaries alone you will find the infamous Corbet’s Couloir, Tensleep Bowl and Dick’s Ditch to slash through.

Those looking to explore further afield can hire a guide with sleds and make for the horizon. Guaranteed you’ll want to come back here for years to come.

TREBLE CONE, NEW ZEALAND

You won’t get this kind of powder all winter in New Zealand – but it’s still an epic place to ride. Photo: iStock

OK, so you aren’t going to get the same kind of snowfall down in the Southern Hemisphere as you would in Europe and North America. However, for July to September shredding, New Zealand is where you need to go.

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With plenty of advanced terrain including chutes, powder bowls and some nice steeps, it’s a great place to explore while the rest of the UK is enjoying another damp summer.

Treble Cone is 30 minutes from the town of Wanaka, which by all accounts is a super nice place in winter and summer. It’s less of a party town than nearby Queenstown, more craft beer and nights watching snowboard movies rather than downing shots and dancing on tables.

PARK CITY, UTAH, USA

Park City has the must-visit park in America. Photo: iStock

Park City is the number one place to visit on every park rat’s list, for obvious reasons.

With three terrain parks and a superpipe, there’s a reason you’ve seen clips of this park in edits from Torstein Horgmo to legendary snowboard film The Art of Flight. Sage Kotsenburg, the Sochi 2014 gold medallist, calls this place home for good reason.

The big park (and the best place to do some pro spotting) is The King’s Crown which were described by Whitelines as having “monster booters so enormous they can probably be seen from space”. So maybe only hit these kickers once you know what you are doing.

The off-piste is decent, especially if you are willing to hike a little bit, plus the resort itself is only 30 minutes from Salt Lake City airport.

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California Canada France inspiration Japan list New Zealand Switzerland UK USA
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