We all are looking for the most snow possible when we are traveling long distances to go skiing, so where do you have the best odds of getting dumped on?
I apologize in advance if your local hill is on this list, because you might be getting Vail’d if enough people see this list.
(Snowfall data sourced from official ikon pass website).
- Niseko, Japan
Annual snowfall: 590"
Niseko is the type of place that you’d think can only exist in your dreams until you google it and realize it’s a real place. With 590" of snowfall, they get more snow than just about everyone.
2. Alta, Utah
Annual snowfall: 547"
Despite being one of the most hyped ski areas in the world, Alta still manages to exceed your expectations. Not many mountains can pull that off. The cottonwood canyons receive 500"+ of pristine snowfall a year (and spoiler, this won’t be the last you see of them).
3. Revelstoke, British Columbia
Annual snowfall: 540"*
While Revelstoke may be most well known for its record breaking 5,600 vertical drop and their lack of crowds, they also boast an impressive annual snowfall of 540".
*The ikon pass website lists Revelstoke at 540", whereas Revelstoke’s website lists themselves at 413". For the sake of consistency in this list, they will be listed at 540".
4. Tie: Snowbird/Brighton/Solitude, Utah
Annual snowfall: 500"
The aforementioned cottonwoods receive plentiful high quality lake-effect snowfall. Another benefit of these resorts is their close proximity to each other. Alta and Snowbird are interconnected, and Brighton and Solitude are also interconnected. In addition, plans are in the works to connect all four cottonwood resorts
5. Crystal Mountain, Washington
Annual snowfall: 466"
Crystal Mountain 2 hours up the road from Seattle is blessed with an impressive 466" of PNW snow a year.
6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Annual snowfall: 459"
Okay, you already knew this, but Jackson Hole gets a lot of snow. And it’s high quality snow. You just can’t go wrong skiing Jackson hole, the last of the old west.
7. Squaw Valley, California
Annual snowfall: 450"
Squaw is very well known for its plentiful snowfall, having 719" fall in the 2018–19 season. The only issue with Squaw’s snowfall is consistency. It seems like it’s all or nothing when it comes to snowfall here, and so far 2019–20 is a nothing year.
8. The Summit at Snoqualmie, Washington
Annual snowfall: 428"
Half a hour from Seattle and 428" a year? Never thought I’d say this, but I almost want to live in Seattle now.
9. Cypress Mountain, British Columbia
Annual snowfall: 425"
It’s the same as Snoqualmie/Seattle, except now its Cypress/Vancouver.
10. Tie: Mammoth Mountain, California/Big Sky, Montana
Annual snowfall: 400"
Mammoth offers an impressive 400" considering its close proximity to Los Angeles.
They call Big Sky the biggest skiing in America, and although they don’t have the most snow, their 400" of consistent high quality snowfall is impressive.
