Year-Round Ski Adventures: Top Destinations Around the Globe

It’s a big world out there, and it’s surely snowing somewhere. Thanks to the alternating winters in the northern and southern hemispheres, skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes no matter the time of year. If you prefer fresh powder over sand and surf, and you’re willing to travel from Scandinavia to Australia and beyond, here’s a list for chasing winter all year long.

January: Salt Lake City, USA

Skiers and boarders discuss Utah’s voluminous powder snow in rapt tones. State license plates have bragged about “the greatest snow on Earth” since 1985, and the hype is well-founded. Few North American winter-sports hubs enjoy as much snowfall—around 550 inches per season—as the four main resorts clustered around Salt Lake City.

Cold, dry weather gives the snow a buoyant quality, making it ideal for off-piste antics—not to mention very soft landings. Skiers will revel in the breathtaking views around Alta, while the top pick for snowboarders (who are not allowed at Alta) is vast Snowbird. Meanwhile, wide-open Solitude has a web of challenging black runs that will keep even the most advanced skiers engaged.

February: Hokkaidō, Japan

In Hokkaidō, cathedrals of ice and snowy beasts are not mere hallucinations. Each February, sub-zero sculptures are unveiled at the Sapporo Snow Festival. On the mountains, nature crafts its own surreal display: juhyō (snow monsters), formed when trees are blanketed with snow and ice, are at their most impressive in February.

Ski past battalions of juhyō at crowd-pleasing resort Sapporo Kokusai, just an hour’s drive west of Sapporo city—or if you’re a pro, thunder across the legendary backcountry. Still yearning to face-plant in fluffy snow? Continue southwest to powder capital, Niseko.

March: Whistler, Canada

When the dreaded spring melt sets in at resorts across Europe and North America, skiers in British Columbia continue merrily on the mountains. The 32-sq-km (8000-acre) Whistler-Blackcomb groans under 12m (472in) of snowfall each year, which means it’s still at its prime in March. More than 200 well-groomed pistes wind across the two mountains, with a mile of skiable vertical that dwarfs other North American resorts. To leave fresh tracks in pristine backcountry snow, grab some avalanche gear and a local guide to explore the lonely snowfields of Garibaldi Provincial Park.

April: Obertauern, Austria

Winter travelers who crave wild, windswept terrain should head to Obertauern, 90km (56 miles) south of Salzburg, Austria. From its dizzying heights—around 2350m (7701ft)—you can survey the towering Austrian Alps as you zoom across 100km (62 miles) of pistes; just be sure to bring a balaclava to fend off the biting winds. Obertauern was also one of the filming locations for Help!, which might inspire you to belt out Beatles tunes from the bubble lift.

May: Riksgränsen, Sweden

Lying 200km (124 miles) above the Arctic Circle, Sweden’s northernmost winter resort, Riksgränsen, offers expansive off-piste trails, winding among cloud-like snowdrifts and frost-rimmed forests. Mix it up by snowshoe trekking around Lake Vassijaure or commanding a fleet of sled dogs. At the end of May, when the sun barely touches the horizon, you’ll need steely willpower to hang up your skis and (try to) sleep.

June: Cardrona, New Zealand

When Europeans and North Americans shelve their gear for the season, New Zealanders wax their skis. Cardrona, where the winter season kicks off in mid-June, is nestled in the Southern Alps. Half of its 345-hectare (852-acre) pisted area suits novice and intermediate levels, while seasoned skiers can enjoy the southern hemisphere’s biggest half-pipe and park facilities. Just 20km (12.4 miles) south, Cardrona Distillery is the ideal place to unwind after a day on the slopes.

July: Las Leñas, Argentina

Premium ski resort Las Leñas gleams out from the Argentine Andes. Its slopes climb from 2200m (7218ft) to a vertiginous 3400m (11,155ft), so it’s wise to start slowly to avoid altitude sickness. A luxurious stay, such as at Hotel Virgo, enhances the experience, especially as you’re in Mendoza wine country, where après-ski means savoring an inky malbec alongside succulent steaks.

August: Perisher Valley, Australia

Dispel images of foaming surf and sail-shaped opera houses: New South Wales is home to a small but dedicated community of skiers, who annually flock to Perisher, the southern hemisphere’s biggest ski resort. Nestled in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, Perisher boasts an altitude (and more than 200 snowmaking machines) to ensure it remains blanketed in snow each August. Ski or snowboard across its 12 sq km (2965 acres), or don snowshoes to explore the scenic Rock Creek track.

September: Corralco, Chile

This laid-back resort on the southern slopes of Chile’s Lonquimay is blissfully low-key compared to busier ski hubs near Santiago. After the stormy first half of the ski season, August and September at Corralco bring bluer skies and fewer crowds. Its 18 sq km (4450 acres) of snow-lashed terrain is superb for novice or intermediate skiers and boarders. Nearby natural hot springs in Malalcahuello offer soothing relief for sore limbs.

October: Whakapapa, New Zealand

Fancy snowboarding on an active volcano? Nestled across the northwestern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa is simply superb for groups of mixed ability. There’s a huge area dedicated to learners called Happy Valley, as well as 24 steep “Black Magic” runs for advanced boarders and skiing enthusiasts. Together with sister resort Turoa, Whakapapa forms New Zealand’s biggest ski area, boasting the country’s loftiest chairlift, the High Noon Express.

November: Ruka, Finland

As southern hemisphere resorts shutter their chalets, northern ones eagerly await snowfall. Luckily, far northern Ruka, a frosty fell in eastern Finland, enjoys 200 days of snow each year, plus snowmaking machines to keep the hills downy and white. Most thrilling are Ruka’s 500km (311 miles) of cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails, threading among forests and frozen lakes.

December: Val Thorens, France

Finish the year with a flurry of snow in Val Thorens, Europe’s highest ski village. Perched at 2300m (7546ft) in the French Alps, this purpose-built winter-sports retreat accesses the largest linked ski area on the planet, Les Trois Vallées (Three Valleys). Glide down 600km (373 miles) of slopes, traverse over 300 cross-country trails, and explore nearby villages like charming Méribel for a well-deserved hot chocolate. As steam curls from your chocolat chaud, you may find yourself dreaming of another year filled with wintry adventures.