Top 15 best resorts for snowboarding: from stratovolcano slopes and the biggest halfpipe to fantastic terrain parks

The ski towns that have evolved over time into the centers of famous resorts are rooted in sport, which explains the emphasis specifically on skiing. Most popular ski resorts, of course, create skiing areas on their hills for both skiers and snowboarders. But often the latter don't feel good about them. Some American resorts, such as Deer Valley, Mad River Glen and Alta, have banned snowboarding altogether. However, the number of good resorts that not only allow but also create special terrain for snowboarders has increased significantly over the past few years. Experienced snowboarders have offered their opinions on what makes resorts attractive to the sport and which ones athletes can name as the best in the world for snowboarding.

Mammoth Mountain, California, USA

This is a high-altitude, four-season playground for snow sports enthusiasts with a summit at just over 11,000 feet. It gets about 350 inches of snow on average, which, combined with the abundance of terrain, makes Mammoth Mountain one of the best snowboarding resorts in the world. This California mountain has 28 elevators, 10 terrain parks with over a hundred extensions, two halfpipes and 50 jumps.

Mount Baker, Washington

Although Mount Baker has been called one of the most popular ski resorts in the world, in many ways it is a snowboarder's paradise specifically. It was one of the first ski areas to allow snowboarding. Moderate temperatures and saltwater snow cover contributed to this, and although this is no longer as important today, Baker, with its powerful terrain, is still a favorite among board enthusiasts. The resort is also home to the premier competition in the snowboarding community, the Legendary Banked Slalom race.

Brighton Resort, Utah

Many experienced riders call Brighton the "epicenter of snowboarding," noting its perfect combination of terrain parks, deep snow, natural terrain, and mountain atmosphere. The landscape is truly the trump card of this resort. Fans of various winter sports can stick to the immaculate slopes, but in addition to these, there are also cliffs, chutes and natural terrain parks. That said, the parks team is constantly working on the terrain: what's there today may look very different tomorrow, so the challenges for athletes are constantly changing. Another advantage of the resort is its location: it's just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City Airport.

Park City Mountain, Utah

Snowboarding is banned at neighboring Deer Valley Resort, which probably turns up the heat at Park City Mountain. Many of the slopes here don't require much of a walk from the top of the elevator, which is especially convenient for snowboarders. There's also an abundance of terrain with a variety of steep runs that are often easier for snowboarding. The Park City Mountain area is also home to a halfpipe and six terrain parks with a great assortment of snowboarding opportunities.

Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

It is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, extremely popular among fans of various winter sports, including snowboarders. Aspen Snowmass consists of four separate mountains, and among them, Snowmass is the one most often chosen by the latter. It is much larger for all the other mountains and offers huge steep slopes, endless jumps, bumps, runs and tantalizing glades. Snowboarders note the local halfpipes, great parks and fun terrain for grooming.

Mount Bachelor, Oregon

Stratovolcano skiing sounds exciting on its own, but beyond that Mount Bachelor is known for good snow and great terrain for snowboarding. The atmosphere here remains rustic compared to the big famous ski resorts, and this also attracts many skiers and snowboarders who appreciate this accommodating environment. In their opinion, these smaller resorts can often offer more varied terrain than many of their larger competitors.

Laax, Switzerland

One of the most popular ski resorts in Switzerland is known among snowboarding enthusiasts for its largest halfpipe in the world. It is 22.6 feet high, 72 feet wide, and 656 feet long. The superpipe is available for both professional and freestyle athletes and is open throughout the season. But beyond that, Laax offers ideal conditions for almost any winter recreation: skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, etc. Its slopes will appeal to athletes of all levels.

Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, Austria

One of the main advantages of the Kitzsteinhorn is the consistently good snow from October to May, while most ski resorts, for example in the USA, open the season in November and close it in April at the most. The Kitzsteinhorn can offer snowboarding fans their own 19-meter superpipe, and beyond that, areas with many kickers, boxes and rails to make the skiing even more spectacular and impressive. This, in addition to fantastic views at 3,000 meters above sea level and consistent natural snow, make the Kitzsteinhorn one of the most versatile snowboarding resorts.

Niseko United, Japan

Niseko United consists of four neighboring resorts, Niseko Village, Annupuri, Hanazono and Niseko Tokyo Grand Hirafu. You can visit all 4 resorts with a single All Mountain Pass ticket. Because of its unique location, Niseko has managed to become one of the most favorite resorts for winter sports, including snowboarding. With subarctic winds and deep, dry snow, Niseko has been called a "winter wonderland".

Baldface, Canada

A true paradise awaits snowboarders at Canada's Baldface. This is not a standard resort, but a snow "operation" that takes participants to the Valhalla Mountain Range where they can showcase their skills and compete with like-minded individuals. To ride here, an expert level is required. Off-piste is usually the most challenging terrain with vertical drops, tight turns and bottlenecks. The winter season in Valhalla runs from late December to mid-April.

Les Arcs, France

The Les Arcs mountain area offers an array of experiences on the slopes, deservedly ranking among the top resorts for skiers and snowboarders. It has 123 slopes of varying difficulty levels, from green to black, as well as night skiing and ski areas. In addition, there is enough great terrain to please any snowboarder, as well as cool off-piste activities such as an avalanche park, snow park, toboggan runs, scenic hiking trails and more.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

The Chamonix Valley at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc, is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. Fans of the latter will love the abundance of natural freestyle terrain that attracts athletes of all levels. The different routes, terrain and snow quality in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley will provide a great experience for everyone, from beginner snowboarders to experienced riders and professionals.

Davos Klosters, Switzerland

Davos can't rival the glory of Chamonix, but it's a favorite among snowboarders thanks to its wide runs and big halfpipes. In a nutshell, Davos Klopsters is 300 km of guaranteed slopes. This mountain town is home to 6 ski resorts, including Jacobshorn, a favorite among freestylers. Six ski areas provide opportunities for riders of all difficulty levels, and top-of-the-range modern elevators get you up quickly so you can experience the dizzying sensations of downhill boarding again.

St. Anton Ski Arlberg, Austria

Excellent piste condition and guaranteed snow are the consistent advantages of Austria's largest interconnected ski area. It has over 300 slopes and 200 km of off-piste slopes and comprises 7 villages, including St. Anton Ski Arlberg. The resort is notable for its abundance of terrain options, with snowboarders most appreciating the impressive snow park. During peak season, they can utilize 120 miles of off-piste skiing and nearly 200 miles of pistes.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Canada

Revelstoke gets a little lost in the shadow of the more famous resorts, though it actually has a lot to boast about, including for snowboarding. It has the longest vertical run of any North American ski resort (over 5,600 feet). In addition, Revelstoke has a unique terrain. Just about everything from perfect glades to wide alpine bowls can be found here. This contributes to the fact that the percentage of skiers and snowboarders here is about 50/50.