When it comes to winter travel, there are a handful of snowy spots that seem to pop up on everybody's list. Yes, while places like Colorado, Switzerland, and Canada are typically the first (and sometimes only) places that come to mind, they are just the just the icy tip of a giant winter travel 'berg.
In fact, there are tons of under the radar places out there to play in the snow.
Japan
If you host an edition of the Winter Olympics (like Japan did in 1998) then it's a pretty safe bet that you are a legit winter travel wonderland. Shockingly, though, people still tend to forget that Japan is very snowy place.
The country is home to multiple ski resorts that can compete with anywhere on the planet as far as powder is concerned, and in addition to skiing there are plenty of other wintry pursuits like chasing down the famous 'bathing snow monkeys' high in the Japanese Alps and seeing the the UNESCO-listed historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama - two of the snowiest places on the planet.
More info:Nagano Tourism
Spain
While some only equate Spain with year-round sunny skies and warm days, high in the Pyrenees mountains, the situation couldn't be more different. Here, it can sometimes snow as much as in the neighboring Alps, and there is a group of ski resorts that turn into beehives of activity in the winter. Located only a few hours from Barcelona, Baqueira Beret is one such resort, and while it's consistently lauded as one of the finest in all of Europe, it comes with a price tag about half as high as what you would pay across the border in France or Switzerland.
More info:Baqueira Beret Tourism
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Morocco
Located high in the Atlas Mountains (but only 50 miles from the tourist mecca of Marrakech), Oukaimeden is a fully functioning African ski resort. As surprising as it is, the west-facing peaks of this imposing mountain range collect snow throughout the winter months, and while they can be more hard-packed than powder at times, the resort always provides visitors a fun day out and a breath of fresh mountain air away from the hustle and bustle of the cities below.
Bulgaria
Long a favorite of budget-conscious European skiers, the word is starting to get out around the world about the winter fun available in Bulgaria. Home to a handful of resorts, Bankso is Bulgaria's most state-of-the-art international-style version, being home to 14 runs and a very lively apres ski scene, which balances out the cobblestoned streets of the picturesque old town perfectly.
More info:Bankso Tourism
Australia
I think I know what you're thinking, and it's something along the lines of 'there's no way they have winter sports in Australia'. Well, assuming you were thinking what I thought you were thinking, you are mistaken. The tradition of skiing in Australia goes all the way back to the 1800s, and each year from June until October, there is just enough snow on the high elevations to sustain proper ski resorts throughout the season. Coming in at over 3,000 acres, the resort of Perisher is the largest in all of the land (and the Southern Hemisphere I might add), while Thredbo is home to Australia's largest vertical drop.
More info:Skiing in Australia
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