The best place to go skiing or snowboarding depends on what you want from the trip. Whistler Blackcomb is the best all-round choice in North America. Niseko in Japan has the best powder. Jackson Hole and Chamonix have the best steep terrain. For beginners, families, parks, budget trips and summer riding, the answers change, so this guide picks the best places for each kind of trip.
Every resort name links to its page on our resort map, where you can compare snowfall, terrain and lift passes. For a ranked list, see our best ski resorts in the world and best ski resorts in the USA.
Best Overall: Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America, with two big mountains, glaciers, bowls, trees and some of the best terrain parks on the continent. The village at the base has hundreds of places to eat, drink and stay. Its weakness is the weather: it's close to the coast, so rain can fall at the base. Plan to ride high on wet days.
Best for Powder
- Niseko United, Japan: steady snowfall through January and February, and some of the lightest snow on earth.
- Snowbird, Utah: deep, dry snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon, about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City.
- Mt. Baker, Washington: holds the world record for snowfall in one season (1,140 inches in 1998-99) and has a deep snowboard culture.
- Revelstoke, British Columbia: deep interior snow and the biggest lift-served vertical in North America.
Best for Steep Terrain
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming: steep chutes, including the famous Corbet's Couloir, and over 4,000 feet of vertical.
- Chamonix, France: huge off-piste terrain below Mont Blanc. Hire a guide for anything outside the marked runs.
- Verbier, Switzerland: big freeride faces and the traditional home of the Freeride World Tour finals.
Best for Beginners
- Breckenridge, Colorado: gentle green runs, good ski schools and a friendly town. The altitude is high, so drink lots of water.
- Alta Badia, Italy: wide, easy runs in the Dolomites and long lunches at mountain huts.
- Grandvalira, Andorra: a large, good-value ski area with plenty of easy terrain.
Best for Families
- Smugglers' Notch, Vermont: one of the most family-focused resorts in the US, with programs for every age.
- Steamboat, Colorado: a real ranching town, soft "Champagne Powder" snow and a strong kids' program.
- Sun Peaks, British Columbia: a ski-in, ski-out village and quiet slopes.
Best for Terrain Parks
- Mammoth Mountain, California: some of the best parks in the world and a season that often runs into early summer.
- Breckenridge, Colorado: several parks from beginner to pro level.
- Laax, Switzerland: the top park resort in Europe and host of the Laax Open.
- Mayrhofen, Austria: a well-known park on the Penken.
Best Value
- Japan: lift tickets and food cost much less than at big US resorts. Hakuba Valley and Myoko Kogen are good places to start.
- Italy: the Dolomiti Superski pass covers about 1,200 km of runs, and mountain food is cheap for the Alps.
- Andorra: Grandvalira is cheaper than France or Switzerland, and the country has low taxes.
- Smaller US resorts: the Indy Pass covers independent resorts at a fraction of the Epic or Ikon price.
Best Scenery
- Zermatt, Switzerland: riding below the Matterhorn.
- Val Gardena, Italy: the pale rock towers of the Dolomites on the Sella Ronda loop.
- Lake Louise, Canada: views across Banff National Park.
Best for Après-Ski
- Ski Arlberg, Austria: St. Anton's mountain bars are famous.
- Ischgl, Austria: big parties and concerts.
- Whistler Blackcomb, Canada: the busiest village nightlife in North America.
Best for Spring and Summer Riding
- Spring: Mammoth Mountain and Arapahoe Basin often stay open into June.
- Summer in the US: Timberline on Mount Hood, Oregon, runs lifts on the Palmer Snowfield through much of the summer, and it's home to summer snowboard camps.
- Summer abroad: from June to September, ride in Chile at Valle Nevado, in Argentina at Las Leñas, or in New Zealand at The Remarkables.
How to Pick Your Place
- Decide what matters most: snow, terrain, price, nightlife or easy access.
- Check your pass. If you already have an Epic, Ikon or Indy pass, start with the resorts it covers.
- Pick the right month. January and February have the best snow in most places. March brings sun and spring snow.
- Check snowboard rules. A few resorts still ban snowboards, including Alta and Deer Valley in Utah and Mad River Glen in Vermont.
The Bottom Line
For one trip that suits everyone, go to Whistler Blackcomb. For powder, go to Niseko in January. For steep terrain, go to Jackson Hole. To compare countries, see our list of the top countries for skiing and snowboarding.