Skiers tend to steal the shine when it comes to 'best-of' lists, but what about us riders? The following list contains seven resorts that we feel are geared toward snowboarders and ultimately offer the best experience for riders.
Photo: Lerner Vadim/Shutterstock
1. Brighton Resort, Utah
- Vertical: 1,875 ft.
- Terrain Parks: 5
- Average Snowfall: 500 in.
Often lauded as one of the best snowboarding resorts in the world, Brighton Resort in Utah's Big Cottonwood Canyon has everything you need. Multiple world-class terrain parks accessed by a high-speed lift? Check. Freeride zones with deep powder? Check. Cruisey groomers with sustained pitch and vertical? Check.
There's a reason Brighton has been the subject of snowboarding films for years. If you're traveling to Salt Lake City, consider heading to Brighton first. You might not leave.
Photo: Snowboys Productions
2. Banff Sunshine Village, Alberta
- Vertical: 3,514 ft.
- Terrain Parks: 5
- Average Snowfall: 360 in.
Snowboy Production’s Holy Bowly event has put Banff Sunshine Village on the map. The annual gathering is a hotbed for progression and a seminal gathering of some of the world's best riders. The Holy Bowly park is only built in the spring, but Sunshine Village has five established terrain parks and countless big mountain descents to keep every rider entertained.
Photo: Ely Campeanu
3. Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington
- Vertical: 1,500 ft.
- Terrain Parks: 1
- Average Snowfall: 688 inches
Mt. Baker Ski Area is known for averaging more snowfall than nearly every ski resort on the planet, making it the perfect home for riders like Austen Sweetin to soothe their powder desires. Baker has just one small terrain park, but the ski area's storied terrain is chock-full of thousands of side hits and powder stashes. If you're looking for the home of freeride, look no further than Mt. Baker.
Photo: Mary Walsh
4. Mammoth Mountain, California
- Vertical: 3,100 ft.
- Terrain Parks: 10 parks, two half pipes, 80+ features
- Average Snowfall: 350 in.
What can we say about Mammoth Mountain that you don't already know? The ski resort's legendary 'Unbound' terrain parks are amongst the best in the world, and the massive groomed and ungroomed trail layout feels more like a European mega-resort than a volcano in California.
Mammoth is a proving ground for snowboarders across the globe. The resort regularly hosts World Cup events and invites the world's best riders to session their terrain. If you're looking to test your park skills, head to Mammoth.
Photo: Indy Pass Media Kit/Trollhaugen
5. Trollhaugen, Wisconsin
- Vertical: 280 ft.
- Terrain Parks: 3
- Average Snowfall: N/A
The smallest ski area on this list is perhaps one of the most iconic. Trollhaugen might seem like nothing more than a sub-three-hundred-foot bump in northwest Wisconsin, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Trollhaugen has a cult-like following of Minneapolis-area riders that flock to session the ski area's legendary park setups.
Trollhaugen is fit with ample lighting to keep the night sessions going, and the short lift ride means you can stack park laps until your legs give out. Going to a big destination resort is fun, but the soul of snowboarding lives at places like Trollhaugen.
Related: How To: Wax Your Snowboard
Photo: svetlana57/Getty Images
6. Mt. Bachelor, Oregon
- Vertical: 3,365 ft.
- Terrain Parks: 12+
- Average Snowfall: 410 in.
Mt. Bachelor's footprint is massive. With nearly 360-degree descents possible from the top of the volcano, Bachelor feels like the ultimate playground for creative riders. Side hits, powder stashes, and tree runs are at your disposal at Oregon's largest ski resort.
Bachelor is also home to Woodward Mountain Parks, a network of terrain parks that serve riders of all abilities. Work your way up from the Extra Small Progression Park to the Large Parks off the Skyliner lift. Progression is everything at Bachelor.
Photo: AscentxMedia/Getty Images
7. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
- Vertical: 5,280 ft.
- Terrain Parks: 3
- Average Snowfall: 408 in.
Known for being the largest ski resort in North America by nearly every metric, Whistler Blackcomb is a snowboarding paradise. Carve long vertical runs down Whistler's groomers, step into the park to air it out, or explore above tree line alpine descents in powder fields that seem to reach the heavens above.
Whistler is also known for having one of the best après scenes in the world. Text your friends, book a big Airbnb, and head up to Whistler for what will surely be an experience to remember.
Related: This 20 Best Resorts for Snowboarding List Is Controversial