Top Snowboarding Destinations for Different Skill Levels

Skiing gets most of the spotlight when it comes to snowsports holidays. Snowboarding is another activity that offers you unparalleled access to the slopes, a quick learning curve and comfortable equipment.

Certain resorts are better suited to snowboarding than skiing, offering terrain that is much better traversed on a board and easier to navigate. If you’ve got a mixed group of skiers and snowboarders, or you’re looking for a destination that will suit snowboarders of different abilities, it can be tricky to find somewhere that ticks all the boxes.

Whether you’re a seasoned snowboarder looking for new recommendations, or a complete beginner wondering where is best to book a holiday. We’ve got suggestions to suit every skill level.

Beginner Snowboarding Destinations

Alpes d'Huez, France

Alpes d'Huez is one of the oldest ski resorts in France, surrounded by a snow bowl that offers a huge range of options for snowboarders of all abilities. It’s a great choice for beginners because of its impressive size - 800 hectares of pistes - that include plenty of slopes where you can get to grips with riding a board for the first time.

The south-facing position of Alpes d'Huez means that it’s a resort that gets a lot of sun over the winter, which is lovely when you’re taking breaks from snowboarding to enjoy a bit of après. It’s quite a popular snowsports destination so be aware that it will feel quite busy at the weekends and over the holidays, but there’s more than enough space to find areas where you can learn without distractions.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Whistler Blackcomb is one of the most famous ski resorts in Canada, if not the whole of North America. As a beginner, it offers terrain that was graced by many star athletes in the 2010 Winter Olympics with enough variety that you could come here for years without starting to feel bored by the snowboarding opportunities on offer.

If you’re a beginner then Whistler Blackcomb is a great option because it’s such a developed resort that gives you access to every kind of terrain imaginable. Whilst the backcountry options are probably something you’ll have to work up to, there are 5 terrain parks, trees, bowls and steeps. There’s also the World Ski and Snowboard Festival each April and a nightlife scene that makes it an incredibly popular choice with visitors spending a whole season here.

Intermediate Snowboarding Destinations

Courchevel, France

As part of the sprawling Les Trois Vallées resort area, Courchevel is a French ski resort that is well-known for its mixture of smooth slopes and off-piste areas as well as its high-end collection of accomodation and places to eat and relax. It’s one of the most glamorous resorts in the country and does come with a higher than average price tag, but it’s also a resort that tends to be mostly free of beginners which can be a serious advantage.

The luxurious status of Courchevel means that the slopes here get immaculately groomed every evening, so it’s well worth getting up early to enjoy these in all their glory. It’s also a premier destination for freestyling, with the Family Park offering lots of options for intermediate snowboarders to hone their skills.

Saalbach, Austria

Saalbach is part of the Saalbach ski circus which consists of 120 miles of pistes in the Salzburg region of Austria. It’s a great option for intermediate snowboarders because of the wide and well-maintained pistes, modern lift systems that minimise wait times, as well as a terrain park with some fantastic kicker lines, rails and jumps for those who want to practice tricks.

There are a few black runs in Saalbach which more confident intermediates can tackle, but otherwise the pistes are well suited to those looking for red and blue runs. And once you’ve spent a day out on the slopes, you can enjoy the notoriously lively nightlife around Saalbach and enjoy some really unforgettable après-ski experiences.

Expert Snowboarding Destinations

Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier in Switzerland is known for being a snowsports destination that caters for experienced visitors looking for thrilling runs and excellent off-piste opportunities. You’ll find some of Switzerland’s, and maybe even Europe’s, most extreme slopes here which attract snowboarders from all over the world to come and tear up the powder across the mountains.

It’s easy to enjoy luxury Verbier ski holidays since the resort is equipped with modern ski lifts, luxurious accomodation options and some really brilliant restaurants and bars. Being part of the Swiss 4 Vallees ski area, you’ve got a huge range of options to choose from when it comes to deciding where to snowboard every day, including some really exciting off piste routes.

Snowbird, Utah

If you’re snowboarding in North America then Snowbird is always the top choice for experts who are looking for a challenge. With more vertical terrain than any other resort in Utah and over 50% of the routes here being classed as advanced, this is undoubtedly a resort for enthusiasts who are confident in their ability to navigate steep slopes and adrenaline-inducing trails.

Snowbird gets an impressive amount of snowfall every year, giving it one of the longest ski seasons in the area which is great if you’re planning a trip outside of the peak weeks of the year. The groomed blue runs at the resort are great for more intermediate-level snowboarders, but it’s the advanced opportunities that really shine here, along with the exceptional amount of powder.

Summary

Choosing the right snowsports resort for your level of snowboarding skills is a really important part of ensuring that you enjoy your holiday. The resorts we’ve explored here are just some of our favourites, and although we might be biased, we think Verbier is one of the best.