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You can spend a lifetime chasing powder from New Zealand to Europe and the length and breadth of the Americas. Fresh snow at high altitude is not so hard to find, but where are the absolute best spots? The cream of the crop? The nirvana all powder hounds dream of?
Whether you’re a professional searching for the gnarliest runs or an amateur snow bunny looking for gentler slopes, this guide can help you find your snow paradise.
Image: Whistler-Blackcomb
With 8,000 acres of pistes for every level of snow enthusiast, the combined resorts of Whistler-Blackcomb are arguably Canada’s best gift to the world. It’s also the largest snow resort in the country.
Whistler-Blackcomb combines Olympic-quality pistes with family friendly runs. The dramatic scenery of jagged mountain peaks, glaciers and forests make for an incredible view whether skiing, snowboarding or sipping margaritas.
You’ll feel on top of the world when you take the aerial tram 3,352m to the top station of Hidden Peak in Snowbird.
From here, keen skiers can take Chip’s Run back to base. At over 4km, it’s Snowbird’s longest run. Snowbird’s other claims to fame include dry powder, year-round accessibility and the state’s longest ski season.
From bungee jumping and skydiving to snowboarding and skiing, the adventure capital of the world AKA Queenstown has it all. If we have to choose one resort though, it has to be Treble Cone.
While The Remarkables has family friendly slopes and Cardrona is easy to access, Treble Cone’s steeps are challenging, the bowls are deep, chutes are long and the free riding options are exceptional. We’re tingling just thinking about it!
Chase some of the most immaculate and dry powder on earth in Japan’s Hokkaido region.
Niseko has the full package. Each year at least 15 metres of snow falls onto the terrain, which is a mixed bag of bunny slopes, deep bowls, steep slopes and back-country. The 4 interconnected resorts offer both tree and alpine skiing, and the resort town is fun and lively.
Steep, deep and challenging is the name of the game in Alaska. This one’s strictly for seasoned skiers and snowboarders only.
Nearly 90% of the terrain presents challenges such as hike-to-terrain zones, and steep trails such as the North Face, AKA America’s longest continuous double black run. Alaskan weather in this region is a beast of heavy snowfall and wind, which also keep crowds away.
More than just an iconic image on a Toblerone pack, Zermatt is the kind of resort that should be on every powder pusher’s bucket list.
Set under the imposing summit of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is blessed with the Alps’ tallest peaks, making it the highest resort in Europe. Its long season is matched with well-groomed runs for every level of skier, and box stops of cosy mountain restaurants.
This resort is the highest in Europe and has a panoramic view to match.
At 3,200 metres, Val Thorens is guaranteed snowfall throughout its season. It has runs for skiers of all levels, and though it is well-known as an idyllic après-ski destination, the growing number of chalets and Michelin-star restaurants also attracts luxury holiday-makers and families.
This world-class resort has been named Austria’s best for 4 consecutive years at the World Ski Awards, and with good reason.
The most notable reason is the Steif, a downhill ski race track for the brave. Think high-speed jumps, bumps, curves, compressions and steep slopes. Naturally, there’s a less nailbiting alternative for families and amateurs who also want to run this gauntlet, too.
Summer skiing under the midnight sun. It’s a Swedish thing.
It’s not just the chance to ski during summer that puts Riksgransen on the top-spot map. This newish snow mecca blisters with championship competitions and off-piste adventures. For true snow chasers, it’s one of few resorts with peak conditions from April to June.
Looking for something specific? Try these resorts out for size.
Gentle green runs and long, well-groomed slopes make Pamporovo a haven for ski and snowboarding novices.
Pamporovo sings with family friendly appeal. It has a relaxed atmosphere, offers stacks of ski schools and is compact with predominantly green and blue runs, so you won’t feel intimidated by pros speeding past you as you make your way down.
To ski or not to ski? It really doesn’t matter at this luxurious, upscale resort in the craggy Dolomites.
This fashionable resort is situated just over 2 hours from Venice. The snowfall isn’t amazing and the runs are only intermediate, but it has romantic views of the pink-washed Dolomites, quality restaurants and a movie-star clientele. Ski? Who needs to ski?
Young or old, La Plagne is the place to go for beginners and intermediates to gain more confidence on the snowfields.
Parents, meet paradise. Comprising 10 villages, each offering a wide variety of slopes and ski schools for children and teenagers, La Plagne is a blissful escape. There are plenty of nurseries available for toddlers and the nightlife is low-key.
If you’re looking for quiet and low key, an Austrian après party is definitely not the place to be.
The world famous St Anton ski resort is synonymous with a boisterous, high-octane nightlife of bars and clubs that pull beers until 2am. The thing of kings after a day on the slopes? Ski jumping off the deck at the Krazy Kanguruh bar. You have been warned.
Nothing’s off the cards at Saalbach-Hinterglemm, with over 30 après-ski bars at the top of the T-bar open until the early evening, and more waiting for you back at the main resort.
The partying menu includes everything from the usual fare of drinks, dancing and live music to strippers and goats. Yes, goats. For young guns who can’t get enough of the Alps, night skiing is available until 9:30pm daily. Just leave the drinking until afterwards, OK?
Up for a challenge? Mount Hotham will give your thighs and your wits the ultimate challenge.
Each of Australia’s resorts has its own appealing qualities, but for the most all-round experience you can’t go past the the high-alpine resort of Mount Hotham. It has slopes for all levels, daycare for children, a snow guarantee during peak season and a lively après-ski scene.
| Skiable terrain (hectares) | Vertical (metres) | Ski season | Average snowfall (metres) | Lifts (total) | Runs | Terrain by level (B/I/E) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistler-Blackcomb | 3,307ha combined | 1,609m (highest) Mt. Blackcomb 1,530m Mt. Whistler | Mid-Nov to May | 12m | 32 | 200+ | 20% / 53% / 27% |
| Snowbird | 1,012ha | 988m | Mid-Nov to May | 12.7m | 13 | 140 | 27% / 38% / 35% |
| Treble Cone | 550ha | 700m | Late Jun to late Sep | 2.7m | 4 | 26 | 10% / 45% / 45% |
| Niseko | 887ha | 940m | Mid-Dec to mid-Apr | 15m+ | 33 | 61 | 30% / 40% / 30% |
| Alyeska | 652ha | 762m | End-Nov to mid-Apr | 17m | 73 | 76 | 11% / 52% / 37% |
| Zermatt | 160ha | 2,279m | Mid-Nov to end-Apr | 2.5m | 54 | 147 | 21% / 61% / 18% |
| Val Thorens | 23,000ha | 2,300m | Nov to May | 5m | 31 | 88 | 48% / 40% / 12% |
| Kitzbühel | 17,900ha | 1,200m | Nov to Apr | 4.5m | 51 | 56 | 56% / 34% / 9% |
| Riksgransen | 285ha | 387m | Feb to May | 4.2m | 28 | 9 | 45% / 50% / 5% |
| Pamporovo | 65km | 508m | Dec to Apr | 4.5m | 14 | 19 | 65% / 26% / 9% |
| Cortina d’Ampezzo | 42.5ha | 1,224m | End-Nov to end-Apr | 3m | 37 | 78 | 33% / 62% / 5% |
| La Plagne | 10,101ha | 3,250m | Mid-Dec to mid-Apr | 5.2m | 74 | 234 | 65% / 26% / 9% |
| St Anton | 142ha | 1,507m | Dec to Apr | 7m | 123 | 111 | 36% / 42% / 22% |
| Saalbach-Hinterglemm | 27,000ha | 1,259m | Dec to mid-Apr | 4.5m | 70 | 101 | 52% / 41% / 7% |
| Mount Hotham | 320ha | 1,861 m | Mid-Jun to end-Oct | 3m | 13 | 67 | 20% / 40% / 40% |
Sydney to Perisher overnight snow tour from $130
Sydney to Thredbo overnight snow tour from $120
Snow day trip trip to Perisher from $90
Up to 30% off 2-night stay in Mt Baw Baw
Up to 45% off ski and snowboard hire in Jindabyne
Up to 45% off 7-night ski escape at Charlotte Pass
Mt Buller escapes from $165 per night
Up to 15% off New Zealand activities
5-night Japan ski holiday with lift pass from $999
Mt Buller 3-day snow adventure from $709
Up to 26% off 2 or 3-night Mt Buller ski holiday
Mt Buller full-day tour from Melbourne from $129
2-day Mt Buller snow tour from $399
Falls Creek stays from $120 per night
Falls Creek stays from $339 per night
Snowy Mountains escapes from $119
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