10 snowiest ski resorts in the world

Okay, when we’re talking about the ‘snowiest’ resorts, we’re focusing on how much snow falls throughout the entire season, rather than base depth or snowpack. Plus, we’re evaluating the average snowfall figures across multiple seasons, rather than an impressive one-off winter – we’re looking at you, Mammoth! 

So, let’s get into which resorts accumulate a hefty amount of the white stuff on a regular basis. Our list starts with the snowiest place in the world, which is very, very snowy. So, check out our new high-performance designs below… The ultimate gear for claiming deep tracks in style. 

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Discover where powder is pretty much guaranteed

1. Alyeska Resort, USA

Alyeska is a powder paradise, with a mind-blowing average annual snowfall of 55.75 feet/16.9 meters (the 2011/2012 season saw an insane 81.5 feet/24.8 meters!). We warned you this was serious stuff! Aiming for the 3,939-foot (1,200+m) summit? For that, you’ll need to jump into a cat or hike the impressive final ascent on foot. Oh, and speaking of impressive, Alyeska is home to The North Face, the longest continuous double-black trail in the US!

2. Mt. Baker Ski Area, USA

So far, Mt. Baker holds the World Record for the snowiest season (95 feet/28.9 meters of snow in 1998/1999)! That’s enough to devour a six-story building! And its average annual snowfall is still off-the-charts! Mt. Baker has super-limited lodging, though. So, many powhounds camp in their RVs to be the first up the mountain and claim freshies in the morning. We think that’s a pretty sweet plan! 

3. Niseko, Japan

Niseko is home to iconic ‘Japow’: light as air, fluffy, and the ultimate vessel for ultimate float. Niseko is also in the same golden Northern Hemisphere snowfall zone as Alyeska and Mt. Baker, approximately 42-48 degrees above the Equator. So, prep for freshies up to your eyeballs! And Niseko offers both vastness and depth. ‘Niseko’ is actually Niseko United, made up of four interlinked ski resorts with over 28 miles (45km) for you to explore.

 4. Gulmarg Ski Resort, India

Official snowfall figures are a bit tricky to come by for India’s Gulmarg, an off-piste and out-of-bounds resort, and strictly for advanced riders only. However, reports place the average snowfall around 14 meters (45.9 feet), easily making it one of the snowiest resorts in the world. Much of Gulmarg’s snow is from north-westerly storms from Afghanistan. And this isn’t just any snowfall. It’s often the lightest, fluffiest pow imaginable. Dreamy. Just make sure you bring your avalanche safety equipment, of course! 

5. Alta Ski Area, USA

Utah’s Alta Ski Area rakes in a whopping average of 45.5 feet (13.8m) every season! And that’s alongside an impressive elevation gain (2,538 feet), meaning endless turns and fresh tracks well after a dumping. Unfortunately, Alta is a skier-only mountain with no snowboarding allowed. So, skiers can score freshies on some of the West’s toughest terrain, including gnarly steeps, stomach-dropping chutes, and narrow (but fun) tree runs. 

6. Grand Targhee Ski Resort, USA

Wyoming’s Grand Targhee Ski Resort is a hidden, independent gem that boasts over 41.6 feet (12.7m) of snow per year across more than 28 miles (45km) of trails. Grand Targhee is so confident in its snow quality that it offers you the chance to take a ‘snow check’. So, if you’re unsatisfied, you can bring your lift ticket back to the ticket office, and they’ll let you return another day. How is it that Grand Targhee is so sure of its snow? It has less than 5% water content (Utah averages 8%)! We’ll let the science do the talking there… 

7. Brighton Resort, USA

One of the USA’s oldest ski resorts, Brighton definitely isn’t short on the whitestuff, having an annual average snowfall of 41 feet (12.4m). Pair that with short lift lines, 1,050 rideable acres, a vertical drop of 1,745 feet (531.8m), 66 trails, next-level backcountry, and a charming, small-resort vibe, and one of the world’s snowiest resorts also becomes one of the best. 

8. Snowbird, USA

Snowbird sees on average 41 feet (12.4m) of light, dry snow year in, year out. And it’s also the home of Utah’s longest ski season, running from November to July. The ‘Bird has plenty to boast about when it comes to gnarly terrain! In fact, nearly 75% of Snowbird’s trails are marked as expert or intermediate. Of course, beginners have more than enough to fill their boots. And if you want even more pow!? Book one of Snowbird’s legendary snowcat or heli tours.

9. Nozawa Onsen, Japan

At 1,650 meters/5,413 feet, Nozawa Onsen is a touch taller than Niseko and only four hours outside Tokoyo. Plus, thanks to its coastal location, Nozawa Onsen receives between 10 and 14 meters (33 and 46 feet) of snow per year. But the village raises the bar! Yep, this is a natural hot spring resort. And that means you can take your pick of the traditional onsens for a next-level post-shred soak. 

10. Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Canada

Canada’s Revelstoke Mountain Resort averages an insane 10.5 meters (34.5 feet) of the sweet stuff per year! Revelstoke (aka The Real Stoke) is part of the legendary Powder Highway®, slap-bang in the middle of British Columbia, and home to the longest vertical descent in North America (1,713 meters/5,620 feet). When your legs are spent, head to Mackenzie Common Tavern for awesome après vibes, and even more awesome buffalo chicken tater tot poutine! 

Wrapping up 

Who else is imagining nothing but waist-deep pow right now? We should also give an honorable mention to European resorts, such as Zermatt and Chamonix. Their average annual snowfall isn’t as high as the numbers on this list, but it’s still pretty darn impressive and worth checking out (12-15 feet/3.8m and 14-15 feet/4.6m, respectively). 

Hit the pow jackpot and want to shout about it from the rooftops? Join our Dope Snow Community Facebook Group. It’s full of just-as-stoked, like-minded riders, ready to give virtual high-fives at your scored freshies.

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