The Top 10 Best Winter Locations in US
Winter has arrived, and we’re willing to bet that you’re ready for a quick getaway! This year, prepare to embrace the cold and enjoy all the fun wintry activities that come along with it.
The Best Snowboarding Across the Country
Chilly feet. Slippery roads. Ice. Shoveling snow from the driveway. Driving through thick snow. With winter here, that’s what most of America is dreading right now. But not us.
While most people zip up, huddle, and hibernate in the corner of a room for warmth, we’re a little different. We’re a winter warriors. We know how to put good use to the cold. Pretty soon, we’ll find ourselves on top of a snow-capped landscape, heart beating against our chest, as we prepare to drop-in and experience one of the most exhilarating activities we can do when it’s cold outside: yep, we're talking about snowboarding.
And with over 470 resorts across the US, it can be a real challenge to find the perfect winter destination that’ll satisfy your thirst for adrenaline and heart-stopping powder pillows. But because we don’t want to snow on your parade (see what we did there?), we’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to snowboard in the country, just for you.
1. Mammoth Mountain, CA
We consider Mammoth our home Mountain (and what a spot to claim as home we might add). Nestled in Eastern California, this winter wonderland promises an incredible snowboarding experience for all ages and abilities with over 3,500 acres and 11 terrain parks to cover. When the snow reaches California, these mountains rise majestically from the desert plains and catch an average of 200 inches of snow each year. Some seasons, even more. Snowboarding won’t be the only thing that’ll take your breath away because the Mammoth Mountain region gives you incredible view of the surrounding peaks, with arid desert land below.
From beginners hoping to hone their skills in a snowboarding school to intermediate and expert boarders looking for a challenge, Mammoth Mountain is the way to go. Instagram photos and piste maps simply don’t do the scope and magnificence of this snowy playground justice.
PS. If you know where to look, Mammoth Lakes host tons of natural hot springs. Be sure to check the temp before getting in, the water temp in some of these spots can be steamy, but at the right spot, nothing beats it after a long day on the slopes.
2. Whiteface Mountain, NY
Tucked away in Lake Placid, New York, the terrains of Whiteface Mountain are a staple to any snowboarder’s list of places to explore. This 288-acre resort has hosted the Olympic Winter Games not once but twice (in 1932 and 1980). Surely, that’s more than an impressive testament to prove that this magical wonderland is one of the best places to snowboard in the US.
Despite dwarfing compared to other known resorts, Whiteface Mountain boasts an astonishing amount of variety in its 90+ trails. From featured terrain parks with exceptional glades, jumps, and rails for daredevils to smooth, beginner, and family-friendly slopes for those who just want to be in the moment and take it slow, there’s always a little something for everybody to try here.
3. Jackson Hole, WY
Often regarded as one of North America’s best snowboarding spots by big ski and travel magazines, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, also known as “The Big One,” is not for the fainthearted.
The 2,500 acres of in-bound terrain are famous for their extreme and beyond-expert 116 trails — including a jump-in chute entry that leads to a 4,139-foot vertical drop. From its wide variety of adrenaline-inducing halfpipe, terrain parks, and trails, intermediate and advanced riders will have a fantastic time exploring every nook and cranny this place has to offer.
4. Telluride Ski Resort, CO
Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, this 2,000-acre beauty holds many charms ideal for a lot of novices and seasoned powderhounds alike.
Telluride Resort offers its visitors a variety of terrains, from glades and cliffs to chutes. Unlike most resorts, beginners are given immediate access to some of its highest spots and can marvel at the stunning views while still having good options to snowboard down. It’s also one of the few resorts that offer riders heli-boarding, operating every day.
5. Sun Valley, ID
With 250 days of sunshine, Idaho’s hidden gem, Sun Valley, is the place you’ll keep coming back to, time and time again. Located in the quiet and scenic valley of Central Idaho,
snowboarders from across the country can enjoy and explore not one but two mountains that are — true to its name — drenched in sunshine.
With more than 196 inches of powder per year, affordable pricing, and over 120 trails, Sun Valley is frequently rated as one of the best snowboarding resorts in North America. This 2,400-acre terrain is a treasure to behold, having a 3,400-foot vertical drop and multiple spots that allow you to perform top-to-bottom runs. The runs here range from wide to lengthy to fun, or a combination of all three, allowing snowboarders of every kind to try out something new under the sun.
Beginners and advanced boarders can plunge down the short, open wide runs of Dollar Mountain or enjoy the glades, groomers, and the 22-foot-high apex at the terrain park — the largest in the Northwest.
Whether you’re a complete newbie or a seasoned pro, at least one of these destinations will have something for you. Don’t forget to pack properly! Layer up with weather-resistant clothing, bring enough to eat and drink, and make sure you have something sturdy and comfortable to rest on. Shop the Voyager now.