The 5 Most Unique Ski and Snowboard Towns on The Planet

When discussing the best places to ski and snowboard, there are many factors to consider. It’s not always the ones with the most access, the most famous, or the highest elevation. The best ski towns offer many things that skiers and snowboarders universally love. 

It’s always helpful when they’re semi-affordable because we all know how insanely expensive ski towns can be. The next thing I like to look at is the overall vibe of the town. Taking resorts at face value, a resort like Aspen feels much different than somewhere like Alta. So, let’s explore some of the best unique ski and snowboard towns in no particular order. 

5. RED Mountain/Rossland, British Columbia

RED Mountain and the Rossland area may be a little less known to the rest of the ski world than Whistler and Revelstoke, but they are gaining popularity since it got on the Ikon Pass list. The ski hill is just a few minutes from Rossland, but RED has its own neighborhoods and a few local bars and restaurants. 

It’s an old-school resort with a mix of terrain, but it’s known for its steep trees, multiple peaks, and 360-degree access on its peaks, where you can get some insane views of the ol’ Kootenay Sea. Rossland is a ski town with working-class roots that are not pretentious. You’ll find a bustling bar and restaurant scene with people from all around the world mixing it up with the locals. Another bonus is that JP Auclair’s legendary segment from All.I.Can was filmed in Rossland.

4. Taos, New Mexico

Taos is another popular town because of the Ikon Pass, but it still plays close to its roots. It’s considered one of the oldest continuously occupied areas in the United States, with a rich history and deep cultural roots. It’s a charming town lined with adobe buildings, home to many art studios, and a haven for artists. 

Taos Ski Valley is up the mountain about 20 minutes from town, but it’s also lined with some homes and a quaint ski village. The mountain is home to some gnarly terrain and a huge vertical drop. Skiers and riders will revel in the open valleys and off-piste terrain options. 

3. Reno, Nevada

The Biggest Little City in the World. The more time you spend in this city, the more their paradoxical slogan makes sense. Reno is famous for many reasons, and you can ask people who live there what their favorite thing about the place is, and you will get answers all over the board. It’s home to ramblers, gamblers, cowboys, hipsters, granola hikers, van lifers, city slickers, drifters, and college students all in one. 

Reno, backed against the Sierra Nevadas, offers many besides snow sports and stands as one of the most unique ski and snowboard towns. You’re about two hours (weather and traffic permitting) to Tahoe’s 15+ resorts, but you have the amenities of a good-sized city. In terms of living, Reno’s international airport is super easy to use, there’s food from all over the world, and the vibe of the town differs depending on which events are happening, what season it is, and the air quality.

2. Bormio, Italy

Bormio is located in northern Italy near the Swiss border. It’s a historic farming town in the high alpine, and the narrow, medieval streets will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to a different age with ancient cathedrals and gargoyles. The town is known for its unique Italian cuisine, natural hot springs, and spa collection. 

The Alta Valtellina comprises four resorts near the town: Santa Caterina, Bormio, Cima Piazzi-San Colombano, and Stelvio Glacier. One of the world’s steepest and longest downhill courses is located in Bormio, and it has gained renown for its selection of off-piste ski areas. If you’re looking for laid-back European village-style skiing with lots of terrain and a big vertical drop, you’ll find it in Bormio without the insanity of the bigger areas.

1. Gudauri, Georgia

Georgia is another area gaining acclaim for its skiing, and Gudauri is one of the best in the country. Georgia is located on the Black Sea, with the towering Caucasus Mountain Range rising into the sky. You’ll fall in love with the Georgian hospitality, food, wine, and prices, some of the world’s most affordable. 

The skiing infrastructure was a bit outdated for a while, but recently, Gudauri added new lifts and gondolas to make this place run smoothly. They have great lift access here in Georgia, and the off-piste backcountry skiing is world-class. 

Skiing and snowboarding have boomed since the pandemic. The general public discovered some hidden gems, making even the most popular resorts in the world a little busier.

These aren’t the most secret ski towns in the world, but I think they offer a little more than a typical ski town. So, the next time you’re planning a ski trip and want to check out some unique ski and snowboard towns, maybe head east of the Alps to the always hospitable Georgia or pull off Highway 80 in Reno for a few nights to see how weird it is.