Ski and snowboard season is officially upon us, and it is one of the few things that can get you through a long winter. Not much is better than hitting the slopes with your friends, filling up your flask, and spending the day ripping up the mountain. Taking beer breaks are a given, and ending the day in a hot tub is always a must. Any place that gets even a little bit of snow, with a mountain around, is a plausible choice to go snowboarding. There are few places though that are actually worth a miles long journey to check out. We give you the 5 best places to snowboard in the world.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Canada is well known for being a cold country, and the mountains up there are no joke. This one offers over 200 trails of pure fury, and 37 lifts to get you to those trails. With open bowls, fresh powder, and of course the bunny slopes, there is something for every skill level. We can’t forget to mention the 5,000 foot vertical drop that can make any fearless person shake in their boots. If you like plenty of terrain with beautiful views, than this is the mountain to hit.
Lake Tahoe, California
One of the most popular spots throughout the world to hit during the winter season, Lake Tahoe lives up to the hype. Not only is this place beautiful, but it delivers quite the punch on the mountain. There is a reason people pack this place every winter. With no shortage of snow every year, and plenty of back country riding, you can literally ride for miles. There are plenty of resorts to choose from, and the nightlife gets pretty wild here too after a day on the slopes.
Hokkaido, Japan
Japan might not be the first place to come to mind when thinking of riding in the snow, but Hokkaido can compete with anywhere. The powder here is what makes the mountain worth a look. On the northernmost island of Japan, the locals know better than to go anywhere else than Hokkaido. It is a snowboarder’s dream, with fresh snow falling out of the sky daily it seems.
Wanaka, New Zealand
Although surfing and rugby might be the first sports to come to mind when New Zealand comes up, don’t overlook the riding potential here. The great thing about Wanaka for snowboarding is the endless snowfields. That’s right, there are virtually no trees in sight, just pure snow. Not only is this area beautiful, the people here are what make this a must visit as well. They are so friendly, and down to smash beers with just about anyone after a day of riding.
Breckenridge, Colorado
You didn’t think we could leave Breckenridge off the list for snowboarders right? This is a snowboarder’s dream, and is worth every penny of a trip here. There’s a reason so many Olympic and X-Games riders spend the entire year here. With a 22-foot halfpipe, along with plenty of other insane sized jumps and rails, it is a freestyle rider’s playground. With the ski season lasting from November to the end of April, there is plenty of time to hit the mountain. Also, with the amount of fun-loving people that head here every winter, you best believe the party is going almost every single night. That alone is worth the trip.
