For some, lounging on a sandy beach with an exotic cocktail in hand is the ideal way to relax and take advantage of a work break, but for people like us who are fueled by the pleasures of the board, we have gathered 5 of the best travel destinations for snowboarding around the world. Don’t wait, the best times of your lives are waiting for you!
There are of course a bunch of other places in the world where you can find insane terrain and exceptional snowboarding conditions, but the following 5 destinations are definitely part of our favorites!
Whistler, British Colombia
Let's start with one of the most popular mountains in the world, which is right here in our beautiful country! Whistler is often seen as the number one ski resort in the world, and for good reasons. This Winter sports paradise really has something for everyone.
Over 200 runs, 37 lifts, 5,000 feet of elevation, 5 snowparks, an Olympic halfpipe, a boardercross field and 3 glaciers are just a few of the statistics from Whistler Blackcomb. Like we said earlier, there's something for everyone, including groomed slopes for novice riders as well as open bowls, unprecedented powder, cliffs and wooden paths for the more adventurous.
The slopes in the woods are real gems with open clearings that you can explore for days. When the sun is shining, we strongly suggest to head to the top and take in the breathtaking views before hitting one of the biggest slope in the world. A guaranteed value for your next snow trip.
Hokkaido, Japan
Famous among snowboarders for its exceptionally fine powdery snow, the famous Mount Niesko Annpuri, located on one of the northernmost islands of Japan, seriously offers some of the best snowboarding conditions in the world.
The Hokkaido island may not be on the radar of snow lovers as a destination of choice just yet, but it is known by insiders as a haven of premium powder and will definitely become a hot spot for snowboarders around the world in the next few years. For a lot of boarders, Hokkaido is viewed as the best place in the world to ride powder because the fresh snow is constantly falling, creating incredible snow cushions, which make the mountain a real playground for snowboarding.
The mountain has four separate resorts, all accessible with a single package, giving you endless possibilities when it comes to your snowboarding days abroad. On top of all that, there are several hot springs around the place, perfect for an après ski bath! This trip is a little more expensive and requires a little more organization than a simple trip to Whistler, but believe us, it's totally worth it!
Breckenridge, Colorado
This is the perfect place for any snowpark lovers! Also the place of choice for snowboard professionals who want to practice between their competitions. The reason why the pros flock to Breckenbridge is simple: The mountain has a 7-meter-high Olympic-class halfpipe, two other ramps and 5 different snowparks with some of the finest features in the world.
The five interconnected peaks are sprinkled with more than 25 feet of snow a year and offer something for everyone, especially expert and advanced riders. Yes, 58% of the terrain at Breckenridge is Diamond level.
Even though Breckenbridge has hosted various snowboarding competitions for 20 years and is known worldwide as the perfect resort to push jumps and rails progression, its ability to maintain the highest quality powder is unmatched. Powder riders will also be delighted by this epic mountain. This one is great snowboarding destination that’s not too far from home!
Wanaka, New Zealand
Let’s fly to the other side of the world! Snowboarding in New Zealand should be on the “to-do before you die” list of any snowboarder! Like Japan, this one's a slightly more expensive trip, but know we didn’t add this destination in our countdown for nothing! The riding experience in Wanaka is completely unique because the place is like a snow desert! In fact, instead of the tree-lined slopes, the Wanaka trails are completely bare, which provides snowboarders with endless possibilities as to the direction of their descent down the mountain.
The most popular mountains accessible by the village are Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Park NZ, among others, but in addition to the listed slopes of the Wanaka Mountains, many more unknown trails are maintained by local clubs, and offer less crowded slopes than those managed by stations. Riders can access the field using towing cables, surface or hiking elevators and can even spend the night in dormitories located on the sides of the slope.
Lake Tahoe, California
With its 7 stations and some of the best backcountry descents in the world, Lake Tahoe is one of the best snowboarding destinations in North America. The intermediate snowboarder can choose between several well-maintained parks offering jumps and rails of all kinds as well as powdery slopes; more experienced surfers can enjoy the unexplored routes with the place's huge backcountry opportunities. Do us a favor and climb up top to enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake below.
A destination that's not too far from home, Lake Tahoe is the perfect place for a weeklong snow trip. You will find an extremely comfortable climate that feels like riding in early April here in Quebec, but with flawless conditions. Shred the pow on top and chill in a t-shirt at the bottom style!
