Can you name the US’s snowiest destinations in terms of pure powder?
Videos by TravelAwaits
If you’re imagining Alaska, think again.
The US’s snowiest locations can be found in Washington, followed by Oregon, Utah, and—sit down if you haven’t yet—California. Alaska comes in fifth place in terms of total snowfall.
The US packs a punch when it comes to leagues of fresh white powder. In fact, in terms of human civilization, the only place with more snowfall than the US’s Mount Rainier and Mount Baker is a village called Sukayu Onsen, located in the Japanese Alps.
Mount Rainier and Mount Baker (WA) get around 645 inches of snow a year compared to Sukayu Onsen’s 694 inches. That’s a pretty close race. (Again, this ranking is for inhabited locations.)
Where am I going with all this chitter-chatter about the snowiest places in the US and beyond? Straight into my recommendations on how to have a seriously snowy Christmas.
Tis the season to choose your winter wonderland. In case you’re having trouble deciding on a last-minute getaway for this year or next year’s Christmas adventure, here are the snowiest destinations in the US to keep on your radar.
Snowiest destinations in the US: coast to coast selections
Mount Rainier, Washington
645 inches of snowfall annually
Also known as Tahoma, this active stratovolcano is a well-known destination for outdoors enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest.
Though it’s pretty deadly to climbers, there are dozens of ways to soak up the gorgeous snowfall without putting your life at risk. I suggest staying in the town of Paradise as you soak up the winter wonderland vibes.
- Best hotels near Mount Rainier National Park
- Best rentals near Mount Rainier National Park
- Best tours in and around Mount Rainier National Park
Crater Lake Park, Oregon
551 inches of snowfall annually
Speaking of volcanoes, Oregon’s massive Crater Lake is the remnant of a once-powerful and active volcano in the Rockies (now inactive, thankfully). In case you didn’t know, Crater Lake is also the US’s deepest lake—who would have thought?
You can explore Crater Lake in winter via the Rim Village. But I suggest zooming out a bit and staying Ashland or Shady Cove.
- Best hotels near Crater Lake National Park
- Best rentals near Crater Lake National Park
- Best tours in and around Crater Lake National Park
Alta, Utah
456 inches of snowfall annually
The US’s third-snowiest destination isn’t a national park—city-slickers can rejoice. If you want a winter wonderland without foraying into the wild (highly recommend), then stick to Alta.
It’s actually part of the Salt Lake City metro area, meaning you’ll get all the wonders of civilization with a bona fide winter wonderland.
- Best hotels near Salt Lake City
- Best rentals near Salt Lake City
- Best tours in and around Salt Lake City
Soda Springs, California
410 inches of snowfall annually
Finally—we’re onto the most intriguing location on this list. If you dig deep into your memory, you might recall a story about a disastrous journey on the Oregon Trail from the late 1800s—one that ended in cannibals.
Donner Pass, anyone?
The same blizzards that buried the Donner Party in California are still perennial in the mountains today. Soda Springs is only thirty miles north of where the party was snowed in a century ago. Hopefully, I haven’t thrown off the vibe too much.
Soda Springs is a very small skiing community that comes alive each winter. You can find dozens of things today in and around the area.
Valdez, Alaska
314 inches of snowfall annually
I’m going to say this one more time: this list is ranked based on inhabited destinations—not the rugged wild. I imagine Alaska’s mountains receive more than 650 inches of snowfall a year, but there’s no one there to bust out the measuring tape.
Valdez is a coastal city that plays an important role in commercial fishing—one that was actually founded by Spanish colonists back in the late 1700s.
While the city isn’t the prettiest, the surrounding Chugach mountains are stunning. In winter, you can take dog sled tours and glacier cruises to soak up the gorgeous, snowy views.
