We know that the most ardent fans of winter sports are constantly looking for new and unusual places to ski and snowboard. There are 97 countries across the world that offer skiing and snowboarding. Here we have collected the weirdest and some of the most extreme places to get your adrenaline going that few people would think of.
7 destinations for your bucket list!
As strange as it sounds, Hawaii also has a ski resort. It is located on Mauna Kea - a volcanic mountain rising to an impressive 4205 meters above sea level.
The largest observatory in the world is located there, which has 13 telescopes.
Brave fans of winter sports can reach the astronomical center only by dirt road. From there, the slopes begin, offering excellent conditions and seclusion.
Mauna Kea has 2 lifts within its 971 Hectares of terrain that is suitable for intermediate and advanced levels.
Japan has some of the best ski resorts in the world and you can count on one certain thing - here you will find good organization and the highest level of technical equipment.
Kiroro is a very popular ski destination in Hokkaido. It has the best and modern facilities and infrastructure. It’s a place for people who carve a different path, only 2 hours drive from Chitose Airport.
Here the winter valleys are the snowiest on earth and the best place to learn to ski powder.
You won't see large crowds, although the Resort has 21 pistes suitable for both beginners and professionals.
Here you can also enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine after your extreme experience at 30 km of slopes.
In Kiroro Ski Resort there’s plenty to do aside from riding that deep, deep powder, so bring your friends and family too.
Verbier is part of the Four Valleys resort area, where the resorts of Nendaz and Veyssonaz are also located. Verbier will welcome you and will not disappoint you, as it is one of the top places to ski in Switzerland, its tough slopes are considered to be among the best in the world.You don't’ want to miss that!
Verbier’s most legendary steep runs include Tortin with a nearly 2,300-foot vertical from the top to the bottom of the Chassoure gondola as well as Gentianes, a more than 2,950-foot vertical from just below the Col de Gentianes to the Gentianes cable car, covered with huge moguls. They’re some of the most popular runs in Switzerland.
The highest point of the ski area at over 10,800 feet is accessible only by cable car.
Don’t forget to chill in the many bars and restaurants in Verbier.
The former coal mining town is now called "the last great Colorado ski town". Crested Butte is a destination for skiing, mountain biking, and a variety of other outdoor activities. It is also known as one of America’s Midwest spooky ski towns.
The mountain, Crested Butte, rises to 12,162 feet (3,707 m) above sea level. The ski area base is at 9,375 feet (2,858 m). 14 lifts serve 1,058 acres (4.28 km2) of terrain.
Here are some of the steepest in-bounds ski terrain in the U.S.
You will fall in love in Crested Butte’s extreme terrain and back bowls and every snowboarder will appreciate the extreme freeriding terrain here. Include this magnificent place in your bucket list.
The peak rises to a height of 2877 meters and the only way to get there is by cable car. The place is best known for NASA's observatory, which houses a powerful telescope that photographed the lunar surface in preparation for the Apollo missions.
Pic-du-Midi is exclusively freeride territory.
The slopes here are extremely dangerous, even deadly, according to some. Everyone who wants to go down signs a document that they are aware of the risks that threaten them.
This is this part of the Pyrenees where the well-known sports equipment brand Quiksilver tests its products.
So the adrenaline is guaranteed!
The Mount Hermon ski resort (אתר החרמון) is situated on the south-eastern slopes of Mount Hermon, a few kilometers off the Purple line, in the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights. The site is surrounded by the Hermon nature reserve.
While the nature reserve is open year-round, the ski resort is open only at the peak of winter (usually January–March), when enough snow accumulates on its ground.
Its Israeli part is located on the southern slopes of the mountain known as the Golan Heights. The country won the territory after victory in the Six-Day War in 1967.
Syria managed to get it back in 1973, but only for two weeks. Due to the long-standing misunderstandings between the two countries, certain areas of the mountain are off-limits to civilians, and there are secured minefields along the road to the resort.
From the top of the track, skiers can see the Israeli military base and army patrol posts.
For skiing and snowboarding, there are 25 km of slopes available. 10 lifts transport the guests.
The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,600 and 2,040 meters.
It is one of the weirdest places to ski or snowboard while looking at the military base.
La Grave has been called the Most Extreme Ski Resort in the world, and after embarking on the 40-minute climb to the top of this imposing mountain via cable car, you’re most likely to agree.
The huge 30-gondola lift brings you 7,000 feet up the mountain, dropping you off completely on your own, above crevasses, glaciers, 1,000-foot cliffs, no-fall zones, and lots of extreme, rough terrain. Here you won’t find ski runs, no signs or ropes, and no ski patrol.
It’s called the grave for a reason, sadly people die here, which means it’s only for the serious, experienced real extreme skier – getting down on your own accord is everything from a challenge to absolutely terrifying.
La Grave is also a location for ice climbing.Climbing routes range from under 100 to over 300 meters long. Here you can push yourself to the limit and train your own strengths and weaknesses in the most extreme environment on Earth. Like skiing and snowboarding in La Grave, ice climbing has this specific way to leave you extremely satisfied with yourself when you reach that final point of destination.
Extreme winter sports are either your cup of tea or they’re not. And no matter which destination you choose, remember to be safe on the slopes and most importantly - have fun!
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