Best Winter Sports Destinations—On the Map & Off

Winter sports fans are some of the most adventurous athletes in the world. The most popular pastimes are skiing and snowboarding, but that’s been diversifying greatly over the last few decades. Today, winter sports fans might also be interested in snow-shoe hiking, ice climbing, bobsleigh, sledding, ski jumping, or even curling. The sky is the limit—at least, so long as equipment rentals and plane tickets aren’t too pricey. After all, winter sports require most people to take a flight to a snowy destination, typically deep inside a mountain range.

For this reason, many choose their destinations carefully and might plan years in advance to craft the perfect adventure. 

If you’re looking to find a new location for your next winter sports vacation, then dive into our suggestions below. We’ve broken down some of the world’s most popular and exciting locations into three categories: those on the map, those off the map, and others that are way outside the box.

Crafting a Dual Trip

Part of the idea behind staying ‘on the map’ is to create a dual trip that allows you to explore nearby wonders without giving up amenities like reliable internet and fine dining.

Those headed to Austria or Switzerland (both listed below) can easily stop over to explore a city where they can dive into other unique activities.

Let's cover one example that highlights just how much there is to explore in European cities: poker. The card game is now being treated as a spectator sport, just like eSports titles such as League of Legends and Valorant. Poker tournaments hosted by the European Poker Tour (EPT) travel around to some of Europe's finest cities, which makes them a solid option for travelers heading to the Alps or the Pyrenees. In 2023, the EPT launched tournaments across Europe, including in major cities like Paris, Barcelona, Prague, and places like Cyprus and Monaco. In other words, you don't need to pick between rugged adventures and exciting new experiences.

Moving back to the world of skiing and outdoors adventures, here are three locations that offer top-notch amenities:

• Aspen, USA
• Silvretta-Montafon, Austria
• Moritz, Switzerland

Going (Far) Off the Beaten Path

Being able to play a few games (or respond to a few emails) between winter sports is how most people prefer to travel. However, some adventurers simply want to explore the world’s most remote, pristine, and snowy destinations. Rather than amenities, they’re on the hunt for the unforgettable challenges that the winter wilderness can pose.

They’re also searching for lesser-known locations that they haven’t seen posted online or explored in television shows.

Instead of playing a thrilling game like poker, they want to explore regions and mountains that they’ve only seen mentioned in National Geographic. In other words, they want to step into the shoes of a rugged explorer.

If you want to truly push your body to the limit and test out some of the world’s freshest powder, then you’ll need more than a spirit of adventure. You’ll also need to be willing to explore new cultures and approaches to winter sports.

Top locations that are off the beaten path:

• Safed Dara, Tajikistan
• Cain, Canada
• Rishiri, Japan

Thinking Outside the Box

Let’s take our suggestions in a new direction—one that doesn’t just involve a change in locations, but also a change in winter sports. As we mentioned above, winter sports are cultural. Not all snowy mountains are home to ski trails and frozen ponds suitable for ice skating. In fact, some remote locations are home to totally different pastimes. 

If you’re interested in adding a bit of brand-new winter sports action to your trip, then you’ll have more than a few options to explore. Based on geography, these include:

• Angel Fire, Mexico: Home to shovel racing (like bobsleigh… but with shovels)
• Arctic Circle: Home to the North Pole Marathon
• Worldwide: Wok-racing, (also like bobsleigh… but with woks)
• Japan: Yukigassen (competitive snowball fighting)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fred Felton          

Content Creator / Editor

Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the winter outdoors space, focussing on skiing and snowboarding. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.