The 7 best places in the world for snowboarding

23.09.2024 - 19:31 / lonelyplanet.com / Val Thorens

Sep 23, 2024 • 6 min read

First things first – whittling down the best places in the world to snowboard is a difficult task. The fantastic interconnectivity of France’s Les Trois Vallées, for example, will always go down a storm with snowboarders keen to max out their mileage, while the ridiculously stunning tree runs you’ll find in places like Whistler Blackcomb will never fail to leave other resorts for dust when it comes to the fun factor. This is precisely why, as a former snowboard instructor who taught in Canada and spent winters working in ski hotels in Italy and France, I considered a range of factors, rooting out the resorts that have gone all-out to create snowboarder-friendly terrain, while offering a great range of accommodation. These spots also rank highly for having dedicated infrastructure that allows snowboarders to max out their time on the slopes, which might include squadrons of snow cannons to ensure an abundance of the white stuff or high-speed lifts that will whisk snowboarders to the top of the mountain for their next adrenaline fix. 

With that in mind, if you're looking for the best places in the world for snowboarding, here are the ski areas worthy of your winter radar.

Best for beautiful backdrops

Japan has an almost mythical status amongst both snowboarders and skiers. Not just because of its legendary 'Japow' (fine, dry powder snow that doesn’t clump or stick) but because of its aesthetic appeal. Hokkaidō, Japan’s second-largest island is where you’ll find some of its top resorts – places like Niseko, with its pristine, powder-covered slopes and snow-dusted pine trees. The resorts are a cut above when it comes to aesthetics too, whether it’s the recently opened Ritz-Carlton Higashiyama Niseko Village with its in-room onsens and views of Mt Niseko-Annupuri, or the temple-like Kasara Niseko Village Townhouses, filled with Japanese artwork. Take a tactical approach to timing when snowboarding in Japan, and consider avoiding later February, when the slopes fill with visitors celebrating the Lunar New Year. I recommend visiting in March when slopes are generally crowd-free and flights, lift passes and accommodations cost slightly less.

Best for freestyle fun 

Les Trois Vallées, the world’s largest skiing and snowboarding area, is a high-altitude French paradise with a seriously high fun factor. It’s got seven resorts – the most famous of which are Méribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel. This spot is a magnet for snowboarders with a love of freestyle, thanks to the presence of a knee-jarring six snowparks and 37 fun zones. It’s also one of Europe’s most snow-sure resorts, which is a major advantage when flinging yourself off rails, kickers and tabletops (for the uninitiated, these