20 Top Snowboarding Resorts Around the World, According to Experts

Key Points

• U.S. ski resorts are equipped with terrain parks and other infrastructure that bring the snowboarding community together in the Rockies and on the West Coast.

• From Whistler to Baldface, Canadian ski resorts stand out for the diversity of terrain, and Revelstoke boasts the longest vertical descent in North America.

• In Europe, resorts near glaciers in Austria and France provide reliably high-quality snow perfect for honing your tricks and maneuvers.

Things haven’t always been so smooth between skiers and snowboarders. While most popular ski resorts usually allow both groups to play on their hills, three U.S. ski areas—Deer Valley, Alta, and Mad River Glen—have banned snowboarders outright, and other mountains are full of moguls, a type of terrain snowboarders hate. That said, acceptance for the sport has certainly improved since it debuted in 1965, and the number of resorts welcoming fans with specially made terrain has increased over the years.

We contacted several boarders to learn more about the mountains they like to visit and what makes a ski resort snowboarder-friendly. Here’s a look at the best snowboarding resorts worldwide, from the U.S. and Canada to France, Switzerland, and beyond.

Best Snowboarding Resorts in the U.S.

Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington

Its name may state it’s a “ski area,” but in many ways, Mt. Baker is a snowboarder haven—it was one of the first ski areas on the West Coast to allow the sport. The winter playground is also home to the Legendary Banked Slalom race, a top event in the snowboard community, typically held in early February.

“The maritime snowpack and moderate warm temperatures have traditionally made Baker more conducive to snowboards than skis, but even today, where factors like that aren’t as important, Baker continues to be in a class by itself,” says Josh Niernberg, a competitive snowboarder, chef, and restaurant owner based in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Brent Sandor, senior vice president of marketing at 686, an outerwear company specializing in snowboarder gear, is also a fan. “It’s impossible to say enough about this mountain,” he told Travel + Leisure in an email interview. “A small, independent mountain with some of the mightiest terrain, this should be on the top of every snowboarder’s list.”

Brighton Resort, Colorado

According to Niernberg, Brighton Resort is “the epicenter of snowboarding,” noting how it offers the perfect combination of “terrain parks, natural terrain, cliffs, deep snow, and an impeccable vibe.” Located about 45 minutes southeast of Salt Lake City airport, the resort sees over 400 inches of average annual snowfall.

Niernberg says the welcoming vibe here goes a long way. “Ski areas where they are happy to host their guests, even if their amenities aren’t luxury, have always proven to be more snowboard-friendly than their counterparts from an on-mountain perspective.”

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, California

The Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is a favorite spot of Sandor. The California mountain has 25 lifts and gets roughly 350 inches of snow a year on average. It’s also home to 10 terrain parks with over 100 jibs, 50 jumps, and two half-pipes.

“There is just so much terrain, from steeps to park to accessible backcountry,” says Sandor. “It’s a home away from home for me, so it has to top the list.”

Park City Mountain, Utah

Part of what makes boarding at Park City Mountain so much fun is knowing the neighboring Deer Valley Resort has officially banned snowboarders. In fact, it almost feels as if the resort was created with the sport in mind.

“Many of the runs at Park City’s Mountain Village don’t require a lot of traversing from the top of the lift to the runs, which makes it really easy for snowboarders to get around the mountain,” says Mel Hampton, a lifelong snowboarder and field marketing manager for the mountain. “Snowboarders also enjoy areas with a great variety of steeper runs, as it’s often easier to ride down steeper runs on a snowboard. Park City Mountain’s six terrain parks and half-pipe offer a lot of great options as well.”

Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort, Colorado

My husband switched from skiing to snowboarding in the eighth grade and now rides for Ogasaka Snowboards out of Japan. One of his favorite resorts to board back in the U.S. is Snowmass, one of the four separate mountains that make up the Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort. He says Snowmass has “great parks and half-pipes, along with fun groomer terrain.”

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, Oregon

If shredding on a stratovolcano sounds exciting, make your way to Mt. Bachelor, a beloved Oregon ski area known for its good snow and stellar snowboarding scene. And unlike some of the better-known ski areas around the country, Mt. Bachelor remains rustic, a vibe Niernberg and my husband both appreciate.

“I really like the smaller ski areas (not big resorts) and have found myself spending more and more time supporting the smaller, more rustic, and less polished areas,” Niernberg says. “I have come to realize (after growing up riding in Vail/Summit County) that the smaller ski areas always seem to have more to offer in terms of varied terrain than some of the larger resorts do.” Mt. Bachelor is just that.

Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Colorado

Powderhorn is a bit of an outlier on this list, but both my husband and Niernberg agree that this tiny, low-key mountain has something special. “I arrive at the base of a ski area with virtually no snow on the road until the last few miles, park for free, walk 30 yards to the high-speed quad, know all of the staff by name, ride the six-minute chair, strap in, and go directly down the front through wide pine and aspen glades,” Niernberg says.

Within an hour of leaving the resort, you can be in Grand Junction, home to the Bin 707 Foodbar and Taco Party, two locally loved restaurants owned by Niernberg.

Best International Resorts for Snowboarders

Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, Austria

One of the biggest perks about visiting Kitzsteinhorn Glacier is the fact that the snow is reliably good from October to May, whereas most U.S. ski areas open in November and close in April. The resort has its own 20-foot superpipe along with plenty of kickers, rails, and boxes. It’s a favorite of my husband’s boarding buddy, Lucas Foster, who competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics for the U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team.

Baldface, Canada

This isn’t your typical resort, but it’s a true snowboarder haven. Baldface is a snowcat operation that takes boarders out into the Valhalla Mountain Range for untracked powder and camaraderie with fellow one-plankers. Adventurous types can also book a multiday trip from the company’s lodge in Nelson, British Columbia.

Sandor says it’s “a bucket-list trip,” while Niernberg calls it “the best snowboard terrain and best snow on the planet.”

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

Located near the Italian border, about a 2.5-hour drive from Lyon, France’s Chamonix Valley is home to some of the best skiing in the world. With a setting along the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a great place for boarders who like natural freestyle terrain—and plenty of it.

Related: The Ultimate Après-ski Guide

Ski Alberg, Austria

Ski Alberg is the largest interconnected ski area in Austria—made up of St. Anton am Arlberg, as well as the nearby villages of St. Christoph, Lech, Warth, Schröcken, Stuben, and Zürs. As such, it offers plenty of terrain options, including an impressive snow park. During the peak winter season, there are roughly 186 miles of on-piste and 124 miles of off-piste trails for snowboarders to explore.

Laax, Switzerland

Laax, part of the Flims Laax Falera family of ski resorts, is famous for having the world’s biggest half-pipe at a whopping 22.6 feet high, 656 feet long, and 72 feet wide. This is another European go-to for Foster.

Niseko United, Japan

Niseko United is made up of four neighboring resorts—Annupuri, Niseko Village, Niseko Tokyo Grand Hirafu, and Hanazono—which can all be accessed with a single All Mountain Pass. Niernberg says boarding at Niseko is special because it “remains both affordable and accessible” with “famously light ‘Japow’ snow that falls nonstop from early January to March without fail.”

Related: 10 Best Ski Resorts in Japan for Fluffy Powder, Steamy Hot Springs, and Incredible Food

Les Arcs, France

In addition to a park and night skiing, Les Arcs has 123 named ski runs, most of which are intermediate level. The resort not only offers enough terrain to keep any snowboarder happy, but also plenty of off-mountain activities, including two luges, a museum dedicated to local wildlife, and a stunning suspended walkway. Les Arcs is about a 2.5-hour drive from Lyon, close to the Swiss border.

Davos Klosters, Switzerland

While Davos Klosters isn’t as widely known as Chamonix, snowboarders will love its wide runs and huge half-pipes. Like many of the European mountains, there are several ski areas under its umbrella—six, to be precise, including Jakobshorn, another favorite. You’ll find Davos about two hours outside Zurich in eastern Switzerland.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Canada

While still somewhat under the radar, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is known for having the longest vertical descent of any ski resort in North America, at 5,620 feet. The terrain, which Niernberg calls “visually unique,” adds to the experience at the British Columbia resort, as does the “fantastic park” and the “50/50 ski/snowboard headcount.”

Verbier, Switzerland

Part of the popular 4 Vallées ski area, one of the largest ski resorts in Switzerland, Verbier also gives visitors access to neighboring Thyon, Nendaz, and Veysonnaz. The resort is especially known for the Attelas-Mayentzet Piste, which boasts a descent of about 3,280 feet. Snowboarders tend to enjoy the wide, well-groomed slopes, which provide plenty of room for carving.

Related: Explore the World’s Best 20 Ski Resorts Handpicked by T+L

Rusutsu Resort, Japan

Hokkaido’s largest all-season ski resort, Rusutsu, has facilities and attractions like a golf course, a petting zoo, and an amusement park in addition to great snowboard terrain and Japan’s cool snow-surf culture.

“One of the three peaks at Rusutsu remains mostly untouched/ungroomed for the entire season,” says Niernberg. “Coupled with the famous ‘Japow’ snowfall, the pairing of accessible pow turns through loosely gladed lines with rocks and cliffs aplenty makes Rusutsu pretty magical.”

Tignes, France

This sprawling French resort is known for its high-altitude glaciers that provide snow reliability and overall good conditions. It also has two impressive parks and a welcoming feel—after all, ski areas in France were some of the first to allow snowboarders.

Whistler Blackcomb, Canada

Thanks to its giant mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, this popular Canadian ski area has something for everyone. There are 200 marked runs, three terrain parks, 16 alpine bowls, and three glaciers. Whistler Blackcomb typically experiences a long winter season of about 200 days and receives an average of 408 inches of snow each year.

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