Top Ski Resorts For Snowboarding

Though boarders are now welcome at all but a handful of North American mountains, some resorts are better than others. From downhill terrain to park and pipe, on-mountain culture to the après scene, snowboarders should expect excellence from the mountains they frequent.

From shredding the A51 Terrain Park to cat-riding the Bergman, Erikson and Independence Bowls, there is no shortage of adventurous terrain at Keystone. The resort spread across three mountain peaks, has 20 lifts and two gondolas shuttling boarders to more than 3,000 acres of terrain. As an added bonus, Keystone is only an hour-and-a-half ride from Denver International Airport, so you can spend more time riding and less time traveling.

The resort boasts 2,500 acres (1,012 hectares) of skiing terrain, 169 runs serviced by 13 lifts, one of which is the famous Snowbird tram, according to PowderHounds. Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, everywhere is a potential line, and that includes the many small cliffs for hucking. The resort includes 3,240 feet (987 metres) of vertical, the most in the state.

The snowboard-friendly resort offers incredible views of Lake Tahoe. There are also many easily accessible slopes for everyone's skill level. About a quarter of the terrain is for novices, 40 percent for the more advanced, and a third for experts. With more than 100 trails across 2,400 acres, mountain quests await at every bump.

Set in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, this mountain is as wild as its roots. With an average annual snowfall of 641 inches, Mt. Baker is one of the snowiest mountains in the world—a major draw for powder hounds. The no-frills mountain also hosts an epic snowboard race; the Legendary Banked Slalom is a must-see international competition held in February.

Boarders like the resort because of its wide slopes and lack of crowds. Beginners love it because about half of the terrain is for them. Runs are marked, easy to maneuver, wide open, and groomed, even at higher peaks. The other half is for intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders. The ski area is more than 2,000 acres (810 hectares) in size.

Mammoth is a snowboarder's mecca. The tallest ski mountain in California is home to 3,500 acres of snow covered terrain—an average of 400 inches of powder annually—and though the mountain is great for beginners, you won't have to look hard for challenging trails. An astounding total of nine terrain parks sprawl out over 100 acres. These parks are home to three different sized halfpipes, one of which is among the biggest in the world—no other resort in North America has a better variety of halfpipes.

This wildly popular ski area is made up of two side-by-side mountains, which combined provide the most boarding terrain on the continent. Each of the mountains offer astounding vertical drops, 16 alpine bowls, more than 200 marked trails and six different terrain parks. Add the average 458 inches of pure dry powder annually and you've got the recipe for perfect days out on the mountain.

Located in Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole is every winter fan's dream, especially boarders who are looking for exceptional backcountry freeriding. The resort is home to the legendary Corbet's Couloir, an expert run that begins with a 30-foot drop and draws daredevils. It's famous for super-steep terrain—half of its trails are rated expert, but it is also starting to build a reputation for attracting families.

Most of the terrain is suitable for beginners. Mount Hood Meadows can be described as a "full-on freerider's resort." It prides itself in crowd-free slopes.  Meadows was voted by Oregonians for having the best cruising intermediate terrain in the state, offering a total of more than 2,150 acres. Bonus: The resort is just 90 minutes away from Portland.

The terrain just north of Yellowstone is the largest in the state – 3,832 acres. The vertical drop is 4,366 feet, one of the biggest in the country and North America. Some call the resort "the biggest place you've never skied." It's fairly remote and quiet. Go to the Challenger lift bordering Moonlight Basin if the line is long.