For some vacationers, an ideal vacation means golden seashores and sunshine. For others, nothing beats the crunch of recent snow underfoot and the magic of winter landscapes. However right here’s a twist: snow isn’t restricted to the apparent ski resorts in Europe or North America. With some research and planning, you will discover snow on each continent, typically in probably the most sudden locations.
This world snow quest is a enjoyable bucket record problem for adventurous vacationers, households looking for distinctive experiences, and photographers on the lookout for dramatic backdrops. Let’s take a tour world wide, continent by continent, to find the place you will discover frosty scenes you may not count on.
Africa: From Kilimanjaro to the Atlas Mountains
Many individuals consider Africa and movie countless savannas, safari parks or desert sands, however elements of the continent obtain snow yearly. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania wears its iconic white cap though it’s close to the equator, whereas Morocco’s Atlas Mountains flip right into a skier’s paradise in winter. Lesotho, generally known as the “Kingdom within the Sky,” is one other lesser-known vacation spot the place snow sports activities are attainable in the course of the colder months.
Sure, it actually does snow in Africa, and figuring out the place and when to go makes all of the distinction. For these curious concerning the science and greatest viewing spots, this information to Africa’s snowy areas is a good place to start out.
Asia: Japan’s Powder and Past
With regards to snow in Asia, Japan steals the present. Hokkaido’s powder snow is famous amongst skiers and snowboarders, drawing lovers from across the globe. However Asia presents extra than simply ski resorts — snow festivals just like the Sapporo Snow Competition rework total cities into icy wonderlands. In Central Asia, international locations equivalent to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan boast distant mountain ranges with pristine snow and minimal crowds.
Europe: The Classics and the Hidden Gems
Europe is residence to a few of the world’s most well-known snowy locations, from the French Alps to the Swiss resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz. Nevertheless, you don’t need to be knowledgeable skier to benefit from the snow right here. International locations like Slovenia and Romania provide inexpensive, family-friendly resorts with lovely winter landscapes. And in Scandinavia, you possibly can mix snow with the Northern Lights for a very unforgettable journey.
North America: Not Simply the Rockies
North America has countless choices for snow seekers. The Rocky Mountains stretch from Canada to New Mexico, providing world-class snowboarding and snowboarding. However snow can be present in much less anticipated locations, such because the Nice Smoky Mountains after a winter storm and even Hawaii’s Mauna Kea, the place snow sometimes dusts the volcanic peak.
South America: Snowboarding in July
Snow in South America is a seasonal shock for guests from the Northern Hemisphere. In Chile and Argentina, the Andes Mountains rework right into a playground for skiers in the course of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter (June to September). Resorts like Portillo and Cerro Catedral appeal to each novices and seasoned professionals, whereas the encircling landscapes provide spectacular picture alternatives.
Antarctica: The Inevitable Icy Finale
No snow-chasing journey is full with out visiting the frozen continent of Antarctica. Whereas it’s technically a desert when it comes to precipitation, the snow and ice right here create surreal, otherworldly vistas. Visiting requires cautious planning — most vacationers arrive through cruise from South America — however the payoff is an unforgettable journey.
Making Your Personal Snow Bucket Listing
For those who resolve to chase snow throughout the continents, planning is vital. Seasonal timing varies relying on the hemisphere, and a few areas have solely temporary home windows the place snow is assured. It’s additionally value fascinated about the kind of snow expertise you need — from snowboarding and snowboarding to mountaineering, images, or just having fun with the winter surroundings.
By including “snow on each continent” to your journey targets, you’ll see elements of the world that most individuals by no means affiliate with winter climate. Alongside the way in which, you’ll gather not simply passport stamps, however a set of icy recollections that span the globe.
Final Up to date on August 13, 2025