Forecasters surmise that the world's snowiest regions are within the coastal mountains of British Columbia, Canada, and in southern Alaska above 3,000 feet. That said, these assumptions will remain just that for now, as no weather sites exist in these regions to take accurate measurements. With that in mind, we've collected a list of the world's snowiest places based on the greatest average annual snowfall.
Grab your hot cocoa and check through; it's gonna be a chilly ride
- Japanese Alps, Honshu Island, Japan
Japan might not typically be associated with extreme snowfall, yet the Japanese Alps on Honshu Island rank as the snowiest place on Earth, with average annual snowfalls totalling 1,200 to 1,500 inches. These massive totals occur around the 2,000- to 6,000-feet levels, where it's not uncommon for snow depths to reach more than 465 inches.
In fact, monster snowfalls have become something of a tourist attraction here. A highway known as the Yuki-no-Otani Snow Canyon is kept open, cutting through the mountains and flanked on either side by snow walls more than 30 feet high.
- Paradise Rainier Ranger Station, Mt. Rainier, Washington
With average annual snowfalls of 680 inches, the Paradise Ranger Station in Mt. Rainier National Park ranks as North America's snowiest location, and the second snowiest spot on Earth. The ranger station once held a world record for greatest annual snowfall, totalling 1,224.5 inches between 1971 and 1972.
Paradise is the park's main winter-use area, and it's possible for visitors to go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snow tubing from there. The road into Paradise
remains plowed through the winter, though it's still wise to check road closures before planning a visit
- Thompson Pass, Alaska
The 2,805-foot-high gap in Alaska's Chugach Mountains known as Thompson Pass records average annual snowfall totals of 552 inches. The spot also holds two records: the most snow to ever fall in one location in Alaska, in a season with 974.5 inches in the winter of 1952 to 1953; and Alaska's biggest single-day snowfall of 62 inches on December 29, 1955.
The Pass is kept open year-round, though keeping it accessible is an arduous task. Popular tourist activities in the region include heliskiing and snowboarding. Still, avalanches are common in the region, and each year
tourists are killed. The Valdez Avalanche Center provides regular danger reports.
- Mt. Baker, Washington
Some of North America's deepest snowfall tallies occur in Washington state. With an annual average snowfall of 530 inches, Mt. Baker easily ranks as one of world's snowiest places. Located in the North Cascades, Baker is a thermally active volcanic crater, and second only to Mount Saint Helens in activity levels.
Mt. Baker has become a popular ski destination, and in particular, the Mt. Baker Ski Area. During the 1998 to 1999 season, more than 1,100 inches of snow fell, breaking a world record for seasonal snowfall.
- Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake, located in Crater Lake National Park, is tied for fourth place on our list with 530 inches of average annual snowfall. The lake is known primarily for its stunning blue color and surrounding landscape but it's also recognized as one of North America's snowiest spots. The national park is open year-round, and in winter, visitors can explore the lake's surroundings by taking part in ranger-led snowshoe hikes, as well as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
- Alta, Utah
Utah's tiny town of Alta may have a mere 383 residents, but it tips the scales with its massive 516-inch average annual snowfall. The excellent snowy conditions have made the town a popular ski destination, luring a half million visitors to its fabled powder each season.
Alta Ski Resort gained notoriety among snow sports enthusiasts for its ban on snowboarding; the move may seem exclusionary, but it has been a major selling point for ski purists visiting the mountain.
- Soda Springs, California
The small community of Soda Springs, Calif., is located just three miles from the infamous Donner Pass and 26 miles from Lake Tahoe. It sees an annual average snowfall of 471 inches. The town's major tourist attraction is the Soda Springs Ski Resort, often considered a low-cost, low-key alternative to Tahoe-area ski resorts.
- Tamarack, California
The community of Tamarack, Calif., sits at 6,913 feet and sees average annual snowfall totals of 445 inches. Visitors can explore Tamarack through a variety of winter activities, like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding. Check with the Sierra National Forest High Sierra Ranger District for road closures or accessibility issues before visiting.
- Stampede Pass, Washington
Stampede Pass in Washington's Cascade Range gets 442 inches of annual average snowfall. It's a popular recreation spot. Visitors can head to Meany Lodge, operated by the non-profit Mountaineers. The resort features the longest rope tow west of the Rocky Mountains and no fewer than 32 downhill runs.
- Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado
Wolf Creek Pass sits high in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado at an elevation of 10,857 feet. It has annual average snowfalls totalling 436 inches. The pass is home to the Wolf Creek Ski Area, which, not surprisingly, receives more snow than any other ski resort in Colorado. The area includes 77 trails, including the Navajo Trail, a lengthy two-mile run.
- Silver Lake, Brighton, Utah
Brighton in Utah's Silver Lake region averages 429 inches of snowfall annually. During the winter, Silver Lake is part of the Solitude Nordic Center's system of cross-country skiing trails. The lake is also circled by a boardwalk, and during warmer seasons, it makes for a scenic 30-minute hike around the perimeter.
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