Great Locations for Snowboarding

By: Jason Petrina



From coast to coast those who are looking for a phenomenal snowboard experience in the United States are sure to find what they are looking for. California, Utah, Colorado and Vermont all offer a multitude of options for snowboarders. Squaw Valley, Snowbird, Crested Butte, and Stow Mountain are just a few of the resorts in these states that offer superior terrain for snowboarders.

Squaw Valley, USA located in Olympic Valley, CA is a favorite of snowboarders. With over 4,000 acres of terrain, it is easy to see why this location was chosen for the 1960 Olympics and why it remains popular today with skiers and snowboarders alike. With an average annual snowfall of 450 inches per year, riding fresh powder is always an option. Additionally, the mountain offers 2,850 vertical feet of skiing making Squaw Valley an impressive mountain. The mountain boasts two separate terrain parks as well as two half pipes making Squaw Valley a virtual paradise for snowboarders. Another appeal of Squaw Valley is that roughly 30% of the mountain features extreme terrain which is very popular with snowboarders. When the snowboarders are ready to call it a day on the slopes, they can retire to the base village for dinner or some shopping in the European style village that is designed for pedestrians.

If you plan to travel to Utah during the snow season, be sure to pack your snowboard and head to Snowbird Resort where you won’t be disappointed by the 2,500 acres of available terrain. The average annual snowfall of 500 inches per year makes the conditions ideal for snowboarding and the opportunities for fresh powder abundant. The Sunrise Tram almost assures snowboarders of fresh powder. This program allows intermediate and advanced snowboarders and skiers to join a guide for a tour of the park through the freshest powder before the park opens to the public. Snowbird also offers terrain for all levels of snowboarders with challenging terrain for the more skilled riders and gentle terrain for the less experienced riders to hone their skills. Although you can purchase combined lift tickets that also include the nearby Alta ski resort, it is important to realize that snowboarding is not permitted at Alta. The health spa and racquet club are just a few of the activities that will keep a snowboarder occupied once he leaves the mountain.

The scenery at the Crested Butte Ski Area is what sets this resort apart from others. The beauty of CO is unparalleled and here you can marvel at the surrounding mountain peaks that reach towering heights of 14,000 feet. Besides the picturesque surroundings, Crested Butte also offers some incredible snowboarding with over 1,000 acres of terrain available to snowboards. The annual snowfall hovers around 240 inches of snow and this combined with their snowmaking abilities ensures a hearty season for snowboarders and skiers alike. Crested Butte is famous for extreme snowboarding with vertical drops that are far steeper than other resorts. It also features an extreme terrain park that is filled with trees, rocks and cliffs. This terrain park encompasses over 400 acres of the park making Crested Butte a place for serious snowboarders. The off the slopes appeal of Crested Butte is the majestic surroundings where national parks abound.

Stowe Mountain Resort in VT is the East Coast’s contribution to great snowboarding. Although Stowe has been around since the 1930s, it was revitalized in the 1990s and became world renowned following that overhaul. With 39 miles of trails, two terrain parks and a half pipe it is easy to see why this resort is a favorite among snowboarders. An excellent mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced trails makes Stowe a resort that can be enjoyed by riders or all skill levels. Dining, shopping and even child care are just a few of the resort features that are available for snowboarders at the base of the slopes.

The resorts listed in this article are just a few of the many locations to enjoy snowboarding. When choosing a resort, it is important to confirm that they allow snowboarding as there are still some resorts that cater exclusively to skiers and do not allow snowboarders on the mountain. There are many resorts, however, that provide a place for skiers and snowboards to co-exist.



Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com