Travel Northern Hemisphere – The Pros’ Favourite Snow Spots

October 12th, 2010


Japan – famous for powder. Rider:: Boen Ferguson. Image:: Ben Hansen

Need some travel inspiration? Pro riders and industry insiders are snow resort connoisseurs, they go everywhere. We asked them where they’d recommend if someone asked “where should I head to this coming Northern Hemisphere winter?”

“Park City – three resorts and access to Cottonwood Canyons, Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin and the rest, so actually seven resorts.

You’re only half an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport, the only snow that comes close (to Utah snow) for dryness is Japan and the Aussie accent is still a novelty.

There is literally something for every type of skier at Park City.” – Rachael Oakes-Ash, Taking the Piste

“Innsbruck, Austria there’s plenty of resorts in the area and good snow… or Tasmania.” – Russ Henshaw, skier.

“Aspen in February, that’s when there’s the best snow. Aspen has access to all four resorts (Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, Buttermilk and Ajax) and the nightlife is great.

Then Mammoth in April, the park is at it’s best.” – Jordan Houghton, skier

“Joetsu Kokusai in Japan. I had the best ski day of my life there, the snow was 7ft.” – Byron Wells, skier

“Chamonix. It has sick out of bounds, I think it’s the knarliest place in the world except for Alaska.” – Bine Zalohar, skier

“Brekenridge, it’s always guaranteed to be amazing snow and weather. The park is amazing and it’s so central, it 90 minutes from Denver and there’s three resorts there.” – Luke Kneller, skier

“Heavenly, Lake Tahoe, in April. There are the best views, it’s insane how good the views are. It’s very large, you need a solid week to ski it all and it’s so central, it’s all around Lake Tahoe.” – Jesse Houghton, skier

“Park City or Mammoth. They’re both easy to get around with good public transport, the people are nice and the resorts are always good.” – Jye Kearney, snowboarder

“Verbier, you get the cultural thing as well. The skiing is amazing and you can stay on the hill.” – Charlie Timmins, skier

“Interlarken in Switzerland. Awesome skiing, awesome scenery, reasonably priced, people are friendly and it’s Europe.” – Andreas Gloor, skier

“Whistler, there’s lots of powder, it’s a giant resort, it has good parks, good nightlife and it’s awesome in spring too.” – Ryan Tiene, snowboarder

“Japan if you want to ski powder. Niseko night skiing – ski fresh powder all night under lights, which is fun. Also, Mammoth is a really fun place to be in Spring.” – Ben Hansen, photographer

“Mammoth has really good runs and there’s a really good park. It’s a good all round mountain.” – Johnny Lipzker, skier

“For a first time Canadian experience you’ve got to go to Whistler and you’ve got to go to Banff, it’s a fun town and it’s an easy day trip to Lake Louise and Sunshine.” – Marty Bourke, cameraman


Pristine Utah powder. Image:: Ski Utah


If you want to ski powder… Charlie Timmins in Japan. Image:: Ben Hansen


Charlie Timmins enjoying the Austrian Alps. Image:: Ben Hansen


Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe. Rider:: Matt Hooper. Image:: Ben Hansen


The Swiss Alps are serious. Image:: Ben Hansen


Sunshine and halfpipes at Mammoth. Rider:: Boen Ferguson. Image:: Ben Hansen

Lake Louise forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Heavenly forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Whistler forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Niseko forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Park City forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Mammoth forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.