Top Ski And Snowboard Destinations Around The World

March 18, 2023

For fans of skiing and snowboarding, there are many destinations for practicing these winter sports for leisure and excitement from North America to Europe and even farther. However, with so many spots to try, there are simply too many to reach all in one lifetime. Unfortunately, enthusiasts will have to be picky about which ones they visit. With this in mind, here is a list of the world's most prestigious and strikingly beautiful places around the globe enthusiasts can visit on vacation to catch some powder.

The Gorgeous Whistler, Canada

Whistler, Canada is the first stop for the top ski and snowboard destinations around the world. Skiing and snowboarding are both popular winter leisure sports in Canada, though there is also a strong competitive element here as well. Currently, the resort is working on their ‘New Winter 2018/2019’ campaign, which is striving to bring three new lifts to the heart of the resort and more, estimated at approximately fifty-two million United States dollars. These restorations will solidify Whistler as the top destination for skiing and snowboarding in Canada, as well as the world.

Towering mountains, crisp snow, and a record-breaking gondola make Whistler remarkable for fun and quality exercise. Afterward, head to the slopeside village to partake in vibrant nightlife at either the GLC or Merlin’s Bar for sophisticated, but energetic socializing. Heli-skiing and the GMC race center are also offered here for those seeking an extreme thrill.

After checking out the first destination in Canada, many tourists will be extremely excited to migrate down south to the next destination for some prime-time snow shredding.

Awe-Striking Vail, United States

Another iconic destination in North America is Vail, in the United States, which hosts a supreme experience for both novice and expert ski and snowboarders. Skiing is challenging with opportunities to partake in everything from veteran peaks to more elementary hills. This legendary terrain boasts 5289 acres of skiable surface, which makes it one of largest ski resorts in the world. Lifts are quick and continuously updated mechanically for top-notch quality. Pristine tree skiing is a favorite here and allows visitors to truly appreciate the natural beauty Vail has to offer.

As far as accommodation goes, there are three gorgeous resorts with vibrant communities and an exciting and inclusive nightlife. Some of the resorts are even not accessible by car and bus, which makes for a more peaceful and isolated environment.The most encouraged spots for visitors to stay at are Vail Villiage, Lionshead, and Golden Peak. All are lovely during the day and strikingly unforgettable at night with the star-lit sky.

It's now time to head across the world to another prominent treasure for skiing and snowboarding.

Niseko, Japan

Niseko Ski Resort is a treasure of the world-class Hokkaido, Japan. Niseko is probably the most renowned Japanese destination for international tourism in skiing and snowboarding, as plenty of enthusiasts flock to the slopes here annually. The weather is prime for skiing conditions as it often snows consistently providing great powder for athletes to make their own lines.

Niseko also offers the best backcountry for skiing and snowboarding in back-of-hill terrain. Runs here are ideal for family and novice travelers with opportunities to kick it up for the pros. Area hotels, lodges, and apartments maintain a huge range of comfortable and affordable accommodation welcoming to newcomers as an inclusive community. For those who enjoy going out after a fun day of activities, Niseko hosts Japan’s best resort nightlife with prime food and beverage, although it is ski-in and ski-out with options for busing.

After visiting the world-class skiing opportunity in Japan, the next destination to try is down south in New Zealand.

Wanaka, New Zealand

Cardrona Ski Resort is a pristine destination for world-class skiing in the Oceania region of the world. Part of Wanaka, New Zealand, Cardrona is incredibly successful at bringing in leisure enthusiasts, as well as veterans. However, this renowned spot is more famous for attracting Winter Olympic and X-Game snow athletes to its slopes in the masses. Known as the most popular ski area in New Zealand, there are well-built wide trails, challenging chutes, and a terrain park allowing freestyle practitioners to try their best stunts.

Chondola cabins are a unique term here and are an amalgamation of the traditional cabin and oft-used gondola, typically seating eight at a time. On mountain apartments, cafes, and restaurants are prevalent for accommodating those wishing to stay for a few days or even just one night. Just a short drive away, there is considerable nightlife and restaurants offering an amazing social experience in Queenstown.

With all the unique opportunities available to travelers looking to catch slopes in New Zealand, they will be hard-pressed to find a better spot. But it's time to hop back across the world to a destination offering an excellent skiing line and strong social justice practice no traveler wants to miss.

Aspen, USA

Known for equity in social issues, Aspen Resort in the United States is heralded as a socially responsible community that includes all LGBTQ individuals equally and makes all members welcome to participate in Aspen Gay Ski Week. Powder tours are offered to visitors of all level to ensure safety and comfort, as well as top-line private lessons. Although many come for the skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing offers a fun alternative. Four prime food and beverage businesses are open for the busy and hungry resort. Highlighted stops include the Sundeck, Bonnies, and Element. After eating, guests are encouraged to stay in either of the two gorgeous luxury accommodations.

So many great social causes, paired with a phenomenal hill makes for a tough spot to beat. But could the next destination in France top it?

Les Arcs, France

Les Arcs is most definitely an unparalleled experience when it comes to skiing and snowboarding. Many villages provide choice and opportunity to try different community vibes. Les Arcs is renowned as a family-friendly hill with lessons to strengthen skills for quality slopes. An amazing freestyle park is available for those who prefer exciting runs and is accompanied by one of the longest runs in Europe. This location's high altitude may make for challenging conditions, so tourists are asked to keep their skill level realistic.

Ascending the mountain, guests find villages of Les Arcs 1600, 1800, 1950, and 2000. Les Arcs 1800 is oft-considered the top vibrant stop and is always exciting. Pay-as-you-go lifts are here to ease the trip difficulty, and an elevation of over ten thousand feet emphasizes excellent snow powder for individual lines. Connected to La Plagne, a joined Vanoise Express cable car completes the longest and fastest on Earth with a double-decker car capable of moving two hundred individuals at once.

The exciting and extensive nightlife in Les Arcs makes it difficult to leave. But travelers may just make the sacrifice for the opportunity to be a part of an infamous Italian destination for skiing.

Breuil-Cervinia, Italy

Breuil-Cervinia, Italy follows Les Arcs as an awe-inspiring alpine resort that allows skiers and snowboarders to truly immerse themselves in the slopes. There are forty-five trails available to members and guests, creating an incredible network of opportunities to explore the hill in any given way. Thirteen lifts are also consistently working to make sure a high turnover rate is possible for getting visitors to their desired destination across the hill as fast and comfortable as possible on this 6725-foot summit. Available cross-country skiing ranges 1312 feet long and 328 feet wide and offers rails, kickers, and plenty of enjoyable music. Breuil-Cervinia offers three levels of challenging hills ranging from easy to intermediate, and difficult on this prized slope that has constant snowfall.

Italy is a grand spot for fun in the snow and makes leaving very hard. But if tourists are looking for an equally as stimulating experience, they should look no further than Switzerland.

Verbier, Switzerland

Slopes in Verbier, Switzerland form Switzerland’s biggest ski area with almost 255 miles of pistes. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are fun alternative activities here that help ensure a wide variety of options for members and travelers. Ski touring, heli-skiing, and freeride skiing are common ways to have fun on the hills and especially so on the world-renowned marked routes. One more phenomenal activity offered at the park is a nocturnal ski touring race. Hundreds of high-quality accommodation options and delicious food and beverages are available while in town.

European destinations are always a luxurious and vibrant community rich with culture and high-quality experiences, which makes the follow spot another chart-topper.

Serre Chevalier, France

Serre Chevalier in France is a highly regarded European destination boasting premier skiing and snowboarding as well as unmeasurable luxury and relaxation, located in southeastern France. The summit is 9200 feet with countless routes on some of the best snow in the world. Dog sledding is also available and is often regarded as a family favorite for interactive and unique experiences. This destination offers 24.85 miles of loops for cross country and 12.43 miles of terrain for snowshoeing.

Freestyle is encouraged here as an opportunity to find your unique style, as well as a zone in the forest for tricks and practice. Backcountry skiing, ice climbing, and fat biking make this winter wonderland an unmatchable experience for the entire family, and especially for those who like to push themselves to the limit in their favorite winter sports. Countless accommodations are available on the resort making it easy to find a beautiful spot to stay.

The last stop is the perfect way to cap the top ski and snowboard destinations around the world.

Mammoth Mountain, United States

Mammoth Mountain is the last, but certainly, not least destination on this list of top ski and snowboard places on earth. Located in the United States, the winter sports atmosphere here is matched only by the community life. Halfpipe snowboarders Chloe Kim, Maddie Mastro, Shaun White and Kelly Clark and alpine skier Stacey Cook are frequently active at the hotel in both competitions and training and recently represented their country in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Five unbound terrain parks litter the incredible facilities, creating an engaging opportunity to test tricks. Mammoth also has a collection of fun activities including, tubing, snowmobile adventures, and snowcat tours.

There are 131 trails available to try with twenty-six open lifts, which is a massive selection for the members and guests attending annually to choose from. Five prominent residences of different luxuries and plenty of dining options for social outings assemble the communal nightlife and post-ski fun. Conditions mountain-wide are soft and light making for great slope lines of all skill levels.

Dive into the powder and shred snow all year with these skiing and snowboarding destinations around the world!

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