Just 90 minutes away from Portland, Mt. Hood Meadows boasts 2,150 acres and 2,777 vertical feet of mountain fun. Experienced riders can plunge down Heather canyon or venture through glades, while beginners can hone their skills on the smoother slopes. Meadows also features a variety of snowboard terrain parks that are worth checking out, especially the 18ft superpipe.
Regardless of whether you're an expert boarder or just a beginner, the sensation of breathing in the fresh, freezing mountain air is invigorating and speeding down the snow-covered slopes is exhilarating. But if you're planning to explore some new slopes this winter, it's worth taking a moment to remember that the best ski resorts aren’t always the best snowboarding resorts.
It’s not just that certain US destinations are for skiers only (we see you, Alta), it’s that some mountains just happen to have better boarding culture than the rest – whether it’s a history of snowboard competitions, perfect powder conditions, or next-level terrain parks.
You'll find many of the best places to snowboard west of the Rockies (or smack dab in the middle of them at places like Telluride, Crested Butte, Sun Valley, and Park City) where the peaks are tall and the elevations record-breaking. But don't rule out the East Coast completely — Whiteface Mountain, Hunter and Vermont's Stratton made our list, too.
If snowboarding will just be one of the activities you're planning for this season, check out our best winter vacation and family vacation ideas for other ideal destinations.
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