Are you looking for the best snowboarding places in the world? If you’re a keen snowboarder, finding the most suitable ski resort for your annual trip isn’t always easy. Whilst snowboarding holidays have rapidly risen in popularity, it can be tricky to find information on the best places to snowboard. Here we share a guide to the best snowboarding resorts in the world. These snowboarding destinations are perfect for carving up the slopes, shredding fresh powder, and getting to grips with freestyle.
Whistler, Canada
Arguably the best snowboarding resort in North America, Whistler is dominated by the two gigantic mountains that overlook the village. With more than 8,000 acres of terrain, 16 Alpine bowls and five terrain parks, this resort has to be one of the best places to snowboard. The Winter Olympics took place here in 2010, and visitors have the chance to experience one of the world’s best downhill courses on the Olympic run. The five terrain parks offer over 150 features for all ability levels, as well as over 40 jumps, an 18-foot Zaugg superpipe and snowcross track. If pristine pistes aren’t your thing, Whistler also has unrivalled backcountry access so you can head away from the crowds.
Davos, Switzerland
Davos is one of Switzerland’s largest resorts, with 251km of terrain and one of highest towns in the Alps. Jakobshorn mountain is one of the best places to snowboard in Davos. This area is known as the ‘cradle of the freestyle scene’ because it’s where the movement was first launched back in the ’90s. It’s home to the JatzPark which features short but intense runs with rails and kickers. At the bottom of Jakosbhorn, you’ll find the legendary Bolgen Superpipe. Parsenn snow park, which links Davos and Klosters, also has a lot to offer with two boardercross tracks.
Verbier, Switzerland
Attracting freestyle skiers and snowboarders from around the world, Verbier has the perfect combination of extreme terrain, perfectly groomed pistes and an efficient lift system. With just one lift pass you can access 89 lifts and more than 400km of pistes. If that’s not enough, you have access to the whole Four Vallées, with Nendaz, Veysonnaz, La Tzoumaz and Val de Bagnas on your doorstep. Verbier has an exhilarating snow park on the sun-trap slope of La Chaux up at 2,250m. The park has more than 20 elements including boxes, rails and kickers.
Avoriaz, France
Known as the snowboarding capital of Europe, Avoriaz was one of the first resorts to offer a snowboard only area. There are four snow parks in the resort, including Lil’Stash for beginners, and the more challenging snow park d’Arare. Known locally as the ‘Big Park’, the Arare snow park has a popular airbag jump for testing tricks safely, as well as a banked slalom course. Snow park, The Stash, was the first ecological snow park in Europe and is 100% natural. The concept was developed by snowboarder Jake Burton who brought it over from California to Avoriaz, viewing the resort as one of the best places to snowboard and only European resort capable of managing his ambitious project. The snow is ungroomed so there’s plenty of powder and slopes to wind in and out of the trees. A great all-round snowboarding destination.
Laax, Switzerland
Laax is one of the best snowboarding places in the world. Home of Nicolas Muller, the king of snowboarding, Laax offers excellent terrain for both freestylers and free riders. The Laax Open, sees a week of the finest snowboarding on offer with Olympians and world champions competing in slopestyle and halfpipe. Along with four snow parks, Laax is home to Europe’s largest halfpipe and first indoor freestyle training centre. Due to its 3,000m altitude, Laax is one of the more snow-sure resorts and enjoys sunny slopes, the perfect snowboarding destination.
Mayrhofen, Austria
One of the best snowboarding resorts in the world, Mayrhofen has been host to several major snowboarding competitions, including the British Snowboarding Championships. The Vans Penken snow park covers the sunny, south-facing side of Action Mountain Penken and has six distinct areas. Expert boarders can also tackle Austria’s steepest slope: the Harakiri black piste. At its steepest, it has a gradient of 85%, meaning it’s definitely not one for the faint-hearted. Beginners and intermediates should head to the Ahorn cable car for quieter, gentler pistes on the other side of the village. Mayrhofen is also home to Europe’s largest snowboarding music festival, Snowbombing – a week-long extravaganza of concerts held in the spring.
Morzine, France
Morzine has retained its Alpine charm and is extremely popular with British snowboarders. The Chamossière bowl is great for challenging off-piste, whilst the Super Morzine area is a good spot for beginners. In addition, the slopes of Les Gets and Avoriaz are both easily accessible from Morzine. The Portes du Soleil ski area has four boardercross courses and eleven snow parks. Hop across the border to Switzerland or Italy for heli-boarding opportunities and experience some of the best snowboarding places in the world.
Revelstoke, Canada
Revelstoke in Canada is known as one of the best snowboarding resorts in the world. The choice of freeriding terrain is a dream, with lots of powder pockets and technical tree runs to choose from. Book a cat-boarding day to access the backcountry opportunities further afield. For beginners and intermediates, there are long cruisey blue runs, perfect to improve your riding in a safe and easy environment. The resort has a terrain park under the Stoke chairlift if you’re looking to try some tricks.
Mammoth, USA
For one of the best snowboarding destinations in the world, head to Mammoth in the USA to explore the incredible freeride terrain. The powder record in past years is high and there are plenty of bowls and natural drop-ins to explore. There’s a dedicated snow park team that look after the bigger snow terrain parks across the mountain. It’s a freestyler’s paradise. The ski school and guides in Mammoth are some of the best in the ski industry, perfect for intermediates and beginners.
Ischgl, Austria
Ischgl is highly regarded as one of the best snowboarding resorts in the world. It has Europe’s largest snowboard fun park, perfect for young riders and keen freestylers. The ski area as a whole is geared up for snowboarders with its many accessible chair lifts and not so many drag lifts. Whether you’re looking for an off-piste guide or first-time lessons, there is plenty of ski school choices on offer for different levels of riders.
To find out more about the best snowboarding places in the world speak to our experts on 0207 471 7700.
