For many folks, winter is a time to dread, thanks to all the snow, ice, and frigid weather. For everyone that loves winter sports, however, the season’s first snowflakes are always a time for great celebration! The celebratory urge is even more pronounced in cities where winter sports are fondly embraced. Cities where ice is a form of therapy, mountains are part of the landscape, and “snow” isn’t a 4-letter word.
What are the best US cities for winter sports? We’ve got the answer to that question below, plus tips and hacks on how to store your winter sports gear. It’s all brought to you by the storage experts at NSA Storage. Read on to discover the cities where winter sports and fun times are the name of the game!
5 Best Cities for Winter Sports
In order to be a “best” city for winter sports, several criteria need to be met. First, there’s terrain. Let’s face it, they don’t call it downhill skiing for nothing. Plus, cold weather is a must, so that snow and ice are plentiful.
Lastly, you need a city that supports the sports, with plenty of hotels, excellent nightlife and copious sporting opportunities. Put those together and you’ll have a top winter sports city, much like the 5 we’ve listed below!
1. Colorado Springs, CO
Does the city of Colorado Springs receive a lot of snow in winter? No, it doesn’t, at least by comparison. However, it happens to be near some of the best ski resorts and outdoor adventure spots in the United States.
Those ski resorts include Pikes Peak, with abundant snowshoeing and cross country staying. There’s also Breckenridge and Vail, which are only a short distance away. Both are among the top ski destinations in the country.
The added bonus of fantastic places to dine and dance makes Colorado Springs one of the best cities for winter sports. By the way, if you’re into ice climbing, there are several frozen waterfalls and rock faces in Colorado Springs, also!
2. Lake Placid, NY
This winter sports city, which hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980, is legendary. It’s relatively small compared to some but offers some amazing amenities. That includes the highest vertical drop in the eastern United States as well as Olympic facilities for ski jumping, bobsledding, and ice-skating.
If cross country skiing and snowshoeing are your thing, you’ll find miles and miles of scenic trails in Lake Placid. Plus, after a day of adventure, you’ll get comfy and cozy every night in its small town vibe.
3. Bend, OR
For some, paradise is a sandy beach, gentle surf and palm trees. If you love winter sports, though, Bend, Oregon is going to be your new paradise! Bend has beautiful landscapes everywhere you look and a wide opportunity for snow filled activities.
One reason why Bend is so popular is Mount Bachelor, one of the best ski and snowboard resorts in the Pacific Northwest! There are also hundreds of miles of gorgeous trails to explore and enjoy. Plus, a new and exciting winter activity, fat biking, is also popular here in Bend.
One other reason Bend, OR, is an excellent winter sports city is the active outdoor community that has formed there. Sports enthusiasts and adventurers of every type flock to the city for the wonderful winter opportunities it offers.
4. Jackson Hole, WY
If there’s one word that describes Jackson Hole, Wyoming it’s this: rugged. Famous for its steep terrain and spectacular mountain scenery, Jackson Hole is the best place on earth for deep powder snow. Skiers of every level come here but this special place attracts some of the best in the world.
The aptly-named Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, for example, is well known for amazing backcountry skiing and extreme ski slopes. There’s also the Grand Teton National Park, with some of the most breathtaking scenery in the United States and phenomenal cross-country skiing.
Want to see elk, wolves, and bison in their natural habitat? If yes, a snowmobile or wildlife tour is just the ticket! Or just take all the ambiance in while you sip hot cocoa in front of a roaring fire. All of these things, and more, make Jackson Hole, Wyoming, one of the best cities for winter sports!
5. Park City, UT
Some know Park City, Utah, for its famous Sundance Film Festival. Winter sports enthusiasts, however, know the place as having some of the best ski resorts in the world. That makes Park City one of the most famous winter sports destinations in the United States!
To start with, the Utah Olympic Park, used during the 2002 Winter Olympics, offers several exciting sports opportunities. They include ski jumping, bobsledding and several other thrilling winter activities you won’t find anywhere else.
Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort are also right outside the city, with world class snowboarding and downhill skiing. Snowmobiling and tubing are also very popular here, and make for a fantastic family activity! That makes this unique and enchanting place one of the best cities for winter sports in the United States.
Top Tips for Storing Winter Sports Gear
After the snow has melted and the slopes have shut down, you’ll need to store your winter sports gear properly. That way, once the next winter sports season rolls around, you’ll be ready to go. Below are several of our best tips and hacks for doing just that!
- Clean and dry all of your winter sports gear before storing it. Put things in the sun, if possible, to ensure they are bone dry to prevent the formation of mildew and mold.
- Keep skis and snowboards in an upright position or hang them on a wall rack. This will prevent warping. Also, don’t stack heavy items on top of your skis or snowboards.
- Lace your ski boots and buckles loosely so they maintain their shape. Also, store them in a dry, cool place.
- Wash all of your ski clothing and dry everything thoroughly to prevent damaging mold and mildew.
- If you have a lot of sports gear for winter, consider renting a self storage unit.
Storing Your Gear with NSA Storage
We hope the information provided today was useful and gave you the answers you were searching for. There’s no doubt that winter sports can be incredibly exciting and fun. The 5 cities on our list will empower you to take advantage of all those snow-filled opportunities.
If you need storage for your winter sports gear once the snow has melted, NSA Storage is a great place to start. Our clean, safe, and secure storage facilities allow you to store all your winter sports gear with peace-of-mind.
You can easily reserve a storage unit online and it will be ready when you arrive with your gear. Until then, we wish you all the snowy fun and excitement you can handle this winter!
