The Best Cities to Snowboard This Winter

Go where the pros go. Each year, Vail hosts the Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, nicknamed the “World’s Greatest Snowboarding Event.” If you can’t shred half-pipes like the pros, there are plenty of other places to snowboard on the resort’s 5,289 acres. The town of Vail is modeled to resemble a Swiss Alpine village, so don’t be surprised to see some high-end shops in charming chalets lining the streets. If you’d rather not deal with the snow when you’re off the mountain, Vail’s heated sidewalks should suit you nicely.

Lake Tahoe knows how to treat snowboarders. Over the past few years, the city has invested millions of dollars in half-pipes, parks and other facilities specifically meant for snowboarders. There are roughly 20 different snowboarding resorts in the Tahoe region. Those who prefer hors piste can also find plenty of uncharted snowy terrain to explore. Above all else, there is one feature that endears Lake Tahoe to thousands of snowboarders: its namesake body of water. Intrepid adventurers can trade snow for water and partake in winter surfing on particularly windy days.

Known as the Japanese Alps, Hokkaido is quickly endearing itself to snowboarders from the U.S. Japan’s coldest and most northern island is one of the snowiest places on the planet, ensuring plenty of fresh powder throughout the season. The island benefits from a perfect storm of geography: cold air comes in from Siberia over the Sea of Japan and reliably dumps fresh powder on the slopes. While impressive views from Hokkaido’s mountains may be enough to book a trip, there’s also a unique apres-ski culture. Instead of collapsing into a bed or going out to party, snowboarders in Japan relax in an onsen (natural hot springs) at the end of the day.

Verbier, frequently regarded as one of the world’s most exclusive ski resorts, is where you’re most likely to spot a celeb on the ski lift. Leonardo DiCaprio, Richard Branson, the Beckhams and many of the British royals have all made regular appearances at the resort. And now, thanks to new lodging options like the W Verbier hotel, the resort has cemented itself as a place for the glittering, cool and fabulous snowboarders of the world. Of course, Verbier can’t get by on glamour alone. Les 4 Vallées ski area has almost 100 lifts, and 250 miles of ski runs for all levels of expertise.

Trust a place that has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Innsbruck’s Olympia Ski World contains nine different ski resorts. With more than 160 miles of pistes, there is a bevy of options for every skill set. If that isn’t enough, venture out into one of the 25 surrounding village resorts (connected by a free ski bus) to try out another 310 miles of trails. When it gets too dark for the slopes, Innsbruck remains an attraction for its architecture and culture. Art museums, palaces, and folk dancing shows ensure there’s always something to do.

Go snowboarding south of the equator in New Zealand. Ski season in Wanaka runs from mid-June to mid-October, so use this destination as a way to make winter start earlier or last longer. Like most things Kiwis do, there are plenty of chances to take things to the extreme. Heli-boarding and its counterpart, heli-skiing are popular ways to reach the untouched powder of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. The snow there is regarded as some of the best in the Southern hemisphere—but get there fast. Part of what’s great about ski resorts in New Zealand is that they’re still relatively quiet.

This resort is sometimes referred to as the “Whistler of South America” because of its size. It’s not only the largest ski resort in South America but the largest in the southern hemisphere, with 75 miles of terrain across 50 different slopes. As one of Argentina’s best and oldest resorts, it can get crowded at times. But the reasons to visit Cerro Catedral aren’t frequented by the average visitor. Pro-snowboarders visit the resort to slice down the off-piste terrains. About half of the runs are meant for an advanced skill set. The resort is also home to one of the unique gastronomic experiences on the slopes: La Cueva. Visitors must take a snowmobile to visit this exclusive restaurant, but once they arrive, they’re treated to a Patagonian feast of smoked foods, possibly including cheese, mushrooms, trout or lamb.

The beauty of snowboarding in a national park is that there’s plenty to look at while whizzing down the slopes. The rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains appear like jagged, fantastic scenery out of the powder snow. Banff has three different ski areas (Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise) for a total of more than 8,000 acres of skiable terrain. Plus, unlike many other snow destinations around the world, locals in Banff possess Canadian hospitality. It’s not hard to acclimate quickly. Bear in mind that Canadians are also known for their drinking prowess, so there is plenty to do in après-ski hours.