Since its humble beginnings in the 1970s to its official inclusion in the Winter Olympics, snowboarding sure has hit it big. Once considered the land equivalent of surfing, its participants a bunch of blissed-out stoner slackers, snowboarding has enjoyed a truly explosive mainstream popularity and now boarders outnumber skiers on many mountains around the world.
While the word snowboarding circuit consists of some well-known resorts that everyone’s been to at least once, truly adventurous snowboarders, as well as pioneers of the sport, have been spending a lot of time searching far and wide for some of the best and rarest mountains. After all, everyone knows you can hit the slopes in Colorado-England and Florida, not so much. For a true taste of adventure, getting off the beaten path can really be a rewarding experience, not to mention an incredible vacation.
For anyone planning a high-energy snowboarding vacation, combing the list of the world’s best mountains for snowboarding would be a time-consuming task. Thankfully, we’ve done it for you. Here are the five hottest spots for some of the world’s best snowboarding. Whether you’re into racing down the mountain or landing perfect tricks, there’s something on the list for everyone.
The Summit at Snoqualmie – Located on Snoqualmie Pass in Washington, this snowboard and ski resort consists of four smaller base areas that used to be their own independent resorts. Today, the resort is open during the season seven days a week, and six nights out of the week, for a chance to get in even more time on the slopes. With a majority of the slopes catering to advanced boarders, beginners definitely will find the area a challenge. If you’re new to the sport, it’s not a good place to start.
Thredbo, Australia – For those who are sick of slumming it, Thredbo is a popular and hot new destination for skiers and snowboarders alike who might not know that Australia has a bustling scene. With over 650 meters of vertical drop and a staggering variety of runs, it’s a good mix of trails for beginners and experts alike. The best of the best wo are unafraid of the very steep all flock to Funnel Web, the steepest run on the entire mountain.
Blue Mountain, Canada – Located in the province of Ontario, Blue Mountain is one of the best spots in all of Canada for snowboarders seeking out half-pipes and tabletops. Over 30 trails and 20 lifts make getting back to the top again easy, and intermediate snowboarders will find the variety of slopes challenging and fun. Three half pipes and two terrain parks mean that those who are more interested in working out tricks than racing downhill will be more than satisfied, and Toronto isn’t that far away for those craving a night out on the town.
Borno, Italy – Located in Italy’s Lombardia region, this medium-sized resort offers a truly impressive 700 meters of vertical descent for its skiers and snowboarders. A short trip from Milan, it’s popular with beginner snowboarders because of its large amount of beginner-oriented trails, but both experts and intermediates will also find a number of runs to their liking.
Blafjoll, Iceland – With Iceland’s economy tanking, it’s never been more affordable for snowboarders to head to this magical world of fire, little people, northern lights, and even some excellent snowboarding. One of the largest resorts in Iceland, Blafjoll is best suited for intermediate snowboarders, with slightly more difficult trails. It might have one of the best views around. Night boarding is a popular activity here.
Damian Papworth loves snowboarding in Japan. He also knows that for cheap japan snow accommodation, the Hooting Owl Lodge in Niseko is difficult to top.