Whether you’re looking for the ultimate skiing experience or a more unique adrenaline-boosting activity, there’s plenty of fun to be had at these five winter sports playgrounds.
This is the ideal time of year for snow-loving sports buffs. Now that the weather has turned cooler, it’s time to plan some exciting winter adventures.
Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, ice climbing, you name it. If you’re looking for winter sports, consider these snow capped destinations.
Here are 5 of the top places for people who love winter sports. Let the winter adventures begin!
Aspen, Colorado
In the United States, winter doesn’t get much more perfect than Aspen, which offers world-class slopes for skiing and snowboarding. During the cold, snowy months, the ski resort town gets jam-packed with winter sports fans.
While Aspen is home to four world-renowned ski areas, this veritable winter wonderland for outdoor recreation also offers ice climbing, guided snowshoe tours, and snowmobiling. Experience the unique rush of sliding down the slopes on a Snowbike, which blends skiing and biking.
Pro tip: For a wintertime thrill off the slopes, be sure to check out the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, which zips you over a mile of forest on an elevated track at speeds of up to 28 mph.
The closest airport to Aspen is Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.
Courchevel, France
Located in the largest linked ski area in the world, the French Alps town of Courchevel attracts winter adventures looking for the ultimate in skiing and snowboarding.
The resort town is made up of four villages: Courchevel 1330, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650, and Courchevel 1850, each named for their altitude in meters. Nicknamed “the St. Tropez of winter sports,” Courchevel 1850 is the most exclusive of the four villages.
For an adrenaline rush, be sure to check out the luge tracks, which send you down the mountain at high speeds, zipping through tunnels and over bridges, all on a sled. Hiking in Courchevel’s brilliant hiking trails, which range from easy to difficult, offer a more relaxed recreational experience. At nighttime, you can strap on your skies and join others in a group to make your way down the piste holding a torch for a torchlit descent.
Pro tip: Pick up a pedestrian lift pass if you’re going to get out into the mountains. The pass will give you access to travel on all the gondolas in the Three Valleys and some chairlifts. Besides offering breathtaking panoramic views, the gondolas make it easy to get around.
The closest airport to Courchevel is Chambery, about 1 ½ hours drive.
Whistler-Blackcomb, Canada
While known for offering the best skiing and riding in North America, the Whistler and Blackcomb areas on Canada’s West Coast are bursting with trails, hikes, and climbs that offer so much more possibilities for winter sports enthusiasts.
Winter zip lining allows you to fly over creeks and through magnificent old-growth trees. Explore the wide-open terrain of Whistler’s backcountry by heli-skiing, which involves taking a helicopter to get ski access to untracked powder. For a real Canadian experience, enjoy a dog sled tour through the magestic old growth forest of the Callaghan Valley.
Pro tip: Travel back and forth between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains on the incredible record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola. New to the area in 2018, Peak 2 Peak offers incredible mountain views and takes only 11 scenic minutes.
The closest major airport to Whistler-Blackcomb area is Vancouver International, where you can then transfer to Whistler.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
A true paradise for winter sports enthusiasts, St. Moritz is considered the world’s oldest and most ultra-chic winter resort, with more than 150 winter events.
The greatest appeal to the high valley in Grisons, however, is its incredible ski runs that attract skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. Cross-country skiers find St. Moritz’s well-prepared ski trails impressive, while snowshoers enjoy the region’s idyllic hiking routes.
Typical snow sports not your thing? St. Moritz also offers curling, skating, ice hockey, golf, cricket tobogganing, mountain biking, and even hot-air ballooning. After you wear yourself out, you can watch competitive wintertime events, such as horse-racing and skijoring.
The sun shines an average of 322 days a year in St. Moritz, almost guaranteeing brilliant blue skies for your outdoor sports excursions.
Pro tip: Thrill seekers shouldn’t miss the indescribable sensation of paragliding over the Engadin lake plateau.
The nearest airport to St. Moritz is Zurich, which is just a few hours away from St. Moritz by car and train.
Niseko, Japan
Known for its world-class powder snow, Niseko in central Hokkaido will leave you in awe. Four world-class ski resorts and an average of around 15m+ of snow attract international skiers and snowboarders every winter season. The premier snow destination is famous for its wide-open powder bowls and tree runs.
While skiing and snowboarding are the most popular winter activities in Niseko, don’t be hesitant to use your Japan snow holiday to enjoy the picturesque backcountry via snowmobile, snowshoeing, snow tubing, snow rafting, or horse riding.
Pro tip: Don’t leave Niseko without immersing yourself into one of the area’s popular hot springs (onsens).
The nearest airport to Niseko is the New Chitose Airport. The drive to Niseko takes about 2 ½ hours, and a public bus is available.
Be Sure to Pack Your CBD
As you pack up for your winter sports trip, don’t forget to bring along your CBD supplement to keep you running at your best while you’re out-and-about. CBD, an all-natural compound derived from cannabis, supports the performance of one of your body’s major regulatory networks to help you stay balanced.
Dixie Botanicals® offers an array of high-quality, portable CBD products that lend themselves well to winter sports travels. Choose from our CBD tinctures, CBD isolate powder, CBD vape oil, CBD edibles, CBD capsules, CBD salvation balm, and more.
Get the CBD you need for your trip by visiting the Dixie Botanicals® online shop today, or learn more about how CBD can benefit you through our blog.
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