Image via Complex Original
Not that you need a reason to get excited about this year’s upcoming snowboarding season other than the fact that it’s upon us, but we reached out to five members of the Nixon snowboard team—including stars like Nicolas Müller, Mikkel Bang, and Elena Hight—to find out about some of their favorite spots to shred. From Utah and Wyoming to Switzerland and Japan, they have favorites located all across the globe—plane tickets and lift tickets sold separately.
Jeremy Jones, Brighton Ski Resort
Location: Brighton, Utah
Why he loves it: “My spot is located on the edge of the Brighton Resort. It serves as a training facility of sorts for me and a couple of my friends to get our season started and practice up on our outdoor skills. It’s special because it’s all hand-built and it’s exclusive to our group and close friends that we invite in. It’s filled with love and delivers the ‘funnest’ snowboarding of the year for us. It’s the only time we all get to ride together before we have to start into whatever projects we have that year.”
What you need to know: Jeremy Jones’ favorite spot is actually located on the fringe of the Brighton Ski Resort and is a little bit too exclusive for the average snowboarder to access. But the Brighton Resort itself—which has been around since 1936—is still well worth a trip if you’re interested in hitting the slopes in Utah. The mountain that it’s situated on is covered with more than 500 inches of snow every year. The resort features more than 1,000 acres of land and 66 total runs, which makes it a favorite amongst both local snowboarders and tourists. It’s the one resort you need to get to if you're in the area.
Mikkel Bang, Hakuba47 Winter Sports Park
Location: Nagano, Japan
Why he loves it: “It’s so special because of how much snow they get in Nagano and how big the mountains are. They have really scenic views. Also, great food and polite people.”
What you need to know: We realize that not everyone can pick up and fly to Japan just to do some snowboarding. But if you’re a serious snowboarder, you need to add a trip to Hakuba47 to your bucket list. Nagano gets more than 400 inches of snow every year, and Hakuba47 takes full advantage of itwith a series of really long runs that allow you to take in all of the scenery in the region. The staff there is also notoriously friendly and the resort itself provides a five-star experience that makes Hakuba47 more than just a place to snowboard. Make it a point to get there at least once in your life if you’re passionate about snowboarding.
Elena Hight, Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Location: Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Why she loves it: “I am a little biasbecause Lake Tahoe is my home, but there is something magical about it. My favorite resorts are Kirkwood, Heavenly, and Squaw. There is nothing better than shredding good snow, enjoying the Cali sun, and being able to see a view of the lake.”
What you need to know: There are four excellent spots for snowboarding in Lake Tahoe—Kirkwood, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort, and Squaw Valley Ski Report. And the truth is that you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Hight seems to enjoy Kirkwood because it caters to serious snowboarders who can handle the steep terrain and advanced courses, and because it features trails—like The Wall—that will keep you coming back for more. But it’s also worth checking out Squaw, which is widely regarded as the most snowboard-friendly resort in the Lake Tahoe area. It boasts about 4,000 acres of open bowl riding, three fun parks, and a halfpipe. And it gets about 450 inches of snow per year, which keeps snowboarders coming back time and time again.
Nicolas Müller, LAAX Ski Resort
Location: Laax, Switzerland
Why he loves it: “When I got wind of snowboarding for the first time, LAAX was the place to be in Switzerland. They had the first Pipe Dragon in the Alps and it’s where it all started for me. Now, I live here and we have everything—from high alpine mountain stuff to awesome tree runs to wind lips and a fun park with rails. And, as of December 2014, we’ll have the world’s biggest half-pipe. But what’s really special is that LAAX just launched their plan to become self-sufficient.”
What you need to know: The city of Laax gets its fair share of sunlight on most days, which is one of the few things that some snowboarders don’t like about it. But it’s a beautiful city that features breathtaking 360-degree views, and LAAX itself is packed with a bunch of different terrain parks, half-pipes, and runs that make it the perfect place for snowboarders to flex and show off their skills. You’re not going to find much for beginners here, but if you’re flying all the way to Switzerland to snowboard, we’re guessing that that’s not what you’d be looking for anyway.
Hana Beaman, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Location: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Why she loves it: “Jackson Hole has so much good terrain that is accessible right from the lifts and tram, as well as awesome snow and steep runs. Plus, it’s gorgeous.”
What you need to know: Taking a trip to Wyoming in the dead of winter doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun—unless, of course, you’re a snowboarder. Situated near the Grand Teton National Park, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is known for its extremely steep drops and difficult terrain. Plus, the views offered from the mountain are some of the best in the entire country, and are comparable to some of the more well-known ski and snowboard spots in places, like Colorado and Utah.
