Due to climate change, the weather is becoming more volatile on the one hand and, on the other, less snow is falling in some regions due to global warming. As a result, more and more lift operators are turning to artificial snowmaking.
Artificial snow ist created when water is fed into fine water droplets via snow cannons, which then crystallise into snow in the cold air.
The problem is that artificial snowmaking is particularly energy-intensive, as pumps and compressors require a lot of electricity. We certainly don't need to talk about the poor quality of artificial snow on the slopes in comparison to real snow.
Due to the high impact on the environment and the immense costs associated with artificial snowmaking, some ski resorts have decided to only use natural snow in order to provide you with a winter experience that is as sustainable and natural as possible. In this article you will find the 10 largest natural snow resorts worldwide.
Powder Mountain, USA
The largest ski resort that relies exclusively on natural snow is located in the state of Utah at an altitude of 2,100 - 2,800 metres. With an annual snowfall of 12.7 metres, Powder Mountain has truly earned its name. The area is a true paradise for freeriders and attracts powder-hungry guests from all over the world with the slogan ‘The Greatest Snow On Earth’. The resort is not entirely wrong about this, as the snow loses its wetness and salt content on the way inland in the USA, providing the conditions for the finest powder.
Desentis, Switzerland
Strictly speaking, Disentis is part of the Andermatt ski area, where snow is actually produced. In Disentis, however, thanks to its altitude of 1,800 metres, there is no need for energy-guzzling snow cannons. The Disentis lifts are considered a real insider tip among freeriders and impress not only with their playful terrain but also with an impressive panorama.
Mürren-Schilthorn, Switzerland
Snow safety is particularly important in natural snow ski resorts. This is why such ski resorts are often located at significantly higher altitudes. Mürren-Schilthorn in the Bernese Oberland lies between 1,600 m and 3,000 m and offers you breathtaking off-piste slopes as well as an extensive network of kilometres of pistes where you can get lost on side hits or just charge the steep decents.
Arolla, Switzerland
The Arolla ski resort is also located in Switzerland. With descents from 3,000 metres down to 2,000 metres, you'll find plenty of slopes here. From Arolla, there is also a wide range of tours to unpack your splitboard.
Grand Targhee, USA
The tranquil Grand Targhee ski resort is located not far from Jackson Hole between the states of Idaho and Wyoming. The ski area lies at an altitude of 2,300 - 3,000 metres and provides an average of 12.5 metres of fresh snow every year. Although the ski area has groomed pistes, the real strengths lie off-piste in the open terrain of Grand Targhee. Dust-dry powder paired with cowboy vibes make a trip to Grand Targhee unforgettable.
La Grave, France
Probably the most challenging terrain on this list is located in France. The La Grave ski resort completely dispenses with groomed pistes and is mainly geared towards freeriders. The only cable car takes you up to an altitude of 3,200 metres. From there, an epic stadium of couloirs, steep slopes, snow fields and treelines opens up before you. The ski area is only for experts and should never be explored alone. In-depth experience with weather turns, avalanches and knowledge of the terrain are a must!
Portillo, Chile
Portillo is one of the oldest ski resorts in the Andes. With an average annual snowfall of 8.3 metres, the area is well worth exploring on a trip to South America. The all-inclusive resort offers ski-in/ski-out and direct transport to the ski area. However, the whole thing is not necessarily cheap, as the hotel is quite expensive.
Tetnuldi Mestia, Georgia
The ski area, which only opened in 2016, makes freeriders' hearts beat faster. At an altitude of 2,200 - 3,200 metres, you will find a wide range of terrain. Powdery descents through the pine forests of the Greater Caucasus and steep slopes characterise the terrain.
Sonnenkopf, Austria
In Austria, artificial snowmaking on the slopes is almost a matter of course. Due to the lower mountains compared to Switzerland or France, it is no wonder that energy-intensive snow cannons are used here. One of the few exceptions is the Sonnenkopf ski area in Klostertal near Voralberg. The powder snow-covered ski area relies entirely on natural snow and is therefore a powder magnet for all freeride enthusiasts.
Silverton Mountain, USA
Hardly any other place can offer you a more pure snowboarding experience than Silverton. Similar to La Grave, there are no groomed pistes in Silverton, but primarily steep, untouched slopes. There is only one ski lift here that takes you up to a majestic altitude of 3,790 metres. From the top base of the lift, there are a multitude of couloirs, slopes and steeps that will challenge you like no other place. Similar to Powder Mountain, the number of day tickets is limited so that the mountain is not overcrowded.