Outdoors Camping The 10 Snowiest Cities in the World By Jessica Macdonald Jessica Macdonald Jessica Macdonald lives in South Africa's Eastern Cape province and has been TripSavvy's Africa Expert since 2016. She also covers travel products and has written about everything from camping knives to climbing chalk. Travel's editorial guidelines and Astrid Taran Astrid Taran Astrid was the Senior Special Projects Editor at TripSavvy. Travel's editorial guidelines Updated on June 22, 2024 Photo: Preserved Light Photography / Getty Images Snow means different things to different people. On one hand, it has the power to transform even the ugliest landscape into a glittering wonderland of refracted sunlight and still sound. On the other hand, it is also capable of turning the daily commute into a nightmare of sludge-coated roads and slippery sidewalks. In many places, the ever-present specter of global warming means that snow is becoming an increasingly rare phenomenon, but there are still cities where snow reigns supreme. From a Japanese ski hot spot to a small city in Alaska, here's a look at some of the snowiest cities in the world. 01 of 10 Syracuse, New York, United States Tony Shi Photography / Getty Images Address Syracuse, NY, USA Get directions Web Visit website With an average annual snowfall of 124 inches, Syracuse is no stranger to snow. Records show that the city occasionally experiences heavy snowfall, with an all-time high of 192 inches in a single season. Statistics like these cement Syracuse’s status as the snowiest metropolitan area in the United States, a claim made possible by a combination of different geological factors: the city’s proximity to Lake Ontario and the regular dumping of snow by nor’easter cyclones. Known as the economic and educational hub of Central New York, Syracuse is as famous for its weather as for its university’s Division I sports teams. The city consistently wins the Golden Snowball Award, a humorous accolade given to the city in Upstate New York with the most snowfall each season. Syracuse has won the award 14 times but has been beaten out by Buffalo since 2021. Fellow competitors Rochester and Buffalo qualify as the world’s eighth and ninth snowiest cities respectively. 02 of 10 Sapporo, Japan Steve Kaufman / Getty Images Address Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan Get directions Located on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, the city of Sapporo sees an average annual snowfall of 191 inches, despite enjoying hot summer temperatures of up to 97 degrees F (36 degrees C). Sapporo’s snowy winter climate makes up a large part of its international identity. It is known around the world as the first Asian city to host the Winter Olympics in 1972, for its top-notch ski resorts, and for its annual Sapporo Snow Festival. Held each year in February, the Snow Festival attracts more than two million visitors from all over the world. It features professionally crafted snow and ice sculptures, all of which are beautifully illuminated at night. The sculptures are an incredible feat of engineering, with the largest measuring up to 50 feet (15 meters) in height. Sapporo’s high snowfall is due in large part to the southward flow of icy air from eastern Siberia. Apart from its exceptional weather, the city is known as the home of the internationally exported beer brand Sapporo. 03 of 10 Chamonix, France Walter Bibikow / Getty Images Address Chamonix, France Get directions One of France's most famous ski regions, it's no surprise that Chamonix winters are perfect for winter sports. Ski bunnies often descend on the region's towering mountains to be greeted by a whopping average snowfall of 429 inches, making this one of the snowiest cities in Europe. The region's primary mountain, Mont Blanc, records winter temperatures 20 degrees lower than the city below. The six ski resorts in Chamonix and 10 ski areas in the region see heavy snowfall and chilly winters, influenced by the location of its mountains and valleys. The 8,000-foot point of Mont Blanc and above is completely snow-covered in winter. The mountain is also known to remain snowcapped throughout summer. 04 of 10 Quebec City, Canada Doug McKinlay / Getty Images Address Québec City, QC, Canada Get directions Web Visit website The capital city of Quebec sees an average annual snowfall of 124 inches. Although officially classified as having a humid continental climate, Quebec City is no stranger to cold temperatures with record winter lows of around -34 degrees F (-36 degrees C). Snow typically starts to fall in early November and stays on the ground until mid-April. Quebec City celebrates its chilliest season with the Quebec Winter Carnival, a two-week extravaganza that includes parades, winter sports, and snow-sculpting competitions. Throughout the rest of the season, Quebec City remains a favorite destination for winter sports enthusiasts, with opportunities for ice-skating, ice-climbing, and cross-country skiing all within easy reach of the city center. There are also several ski and snowboard resorts located less than an hour’s drive away, including Stoneham Mountain Resort and Monte-Sainte-Anne. Quebec City is also famous for its UNESCO-protected Old Town whose picturesque colonial architecture reflects the city’s identity as one of the oldest in North America. 05 of 10 St. John’s, Canada Adrian J Warren / Getty Images Address St. John's, NL, Canada Get directions Web Visit website The capital of Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s boasts an average annual snowfall of 131 inches. St. John’s adds this accolade to a series of other meteorological superlatives, including its status as the foggiest, windiest, and cloudiest of all major Canadian cities. The region’s extreme weather results in snow that regularly transitions to rain part-way through a storm, so that despite St. John’s heavy snowfall, snow is often slow to settle. In addition to snow, St. John’s often experiences freezing rain, whereby subzero temperatures cause liquid rain to freeze upon contact, covering everything with a thin layer of ice. February is traditionally considered the coldest month, with average lows of -16.5 degrees F (-8.6 degrees C). Despite St. John’s frequently inhospitable weather, there are plenty of reasons to visit the oldest English-founded city in North America. When the sun shines, the city’s multi-colored row houses are a sight to behold, while its music, art, and culinary scenes are both vibrant and eclectic. 06 of 10 Toyama, Japan R.Creation / Getty Images Address Toyama, Japan Get directions Toyama is the capital of Toyama Prefecture and one of the snowiest cities in the world. Located in central Honshu on the Sea of Japan coast, the city experiences an annual snowfall of 143 inches, despite having a humid subtropical climate. Almost all of Toyama’s snow falls between December and March, with January typically considered the snowiest month. With record highs of 103 degrees F (39.5 degrees C) in summer, Toyama’s winter snow is a phenomenon caused by the city’s proximity to the coast and its location within Japan’s snow belt. Toyama is traditionally recognized as a center for medicine and pharmaceuticals, and as a convenient gateway to excellent skiing and snowboarding in the Japanese Alps. The city itself has several worthwhile art galleries, museums, and historical landmarks, but the most important attraction for snow aficionados is the nearby Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Designed to showcase the dramatic scenery of Mount Tate (Tateyama), the sightseeing route is closed from December to early April, but you can still see towering snow walls edging the road well into the summer. 07 of 10 Erie, Pennsylvania, United States Corey Supel / Getty Images Address Erie, PA, USA Get directions Web Visit website The state of Pennsylvania is no stranger to snow, but one city takes the cake. The northwestern city of Erie averages 57 days of snow each year, with an average annual snowfall of 104 inches. Temperatures in the wintertime drop to an average of 18 degrees F. Often overlooked by travelers, Pennsylvania's fourth-largest city has plenty to offer when it's not snowing. The city boasts an acclaimed wine country, extensive maritime history, plenty of beaches, and two beloved state parks, Presque Isle and Erie Bluffs, that are perfect for summer fun. 08 of 10 Aomori, Japan Mitsuhiro Wada / Getty Images Address Aomori, Japan Get directions Aomori, the capital city of Aomori Prefecture in the far north of Japan’s main island, Honshu, is a true winter wonderland. Every year, Aomori City experiences an average annual snowfall of 312 inches, the majority of which falls between November and April. In the depth of winter, the city is so deeply covered that snow stands several meters high along the edges of its cleared roads. Aomori City’s incredible snowfall is the result of its unique geographical location between the Hakkōda Mountains and the shores of Mutsu Bay. Colliding winds cause accelerated cloud formation, which then results in heavy precipitation that falls as snow rather than rain due to the city’s cold winter temperatures. Other than its extreme weather, Aomori City is known for the production of sake, seafood, and apples (the latter during its sunny, temperate summers). Every summer, the city also hosts the Nebuta Festival, which sees its streets lit up by parades of colorful lanterns. In winter, tourists come to take advantage of the snow at ski and snowboard resorts in the nearby mountains. 09 of 10 Muskegon, Michigan, United States Ed Reschke / Getty Images Address Muskegon, MI, USA Get directions Web Visit website Averaging 76 inches of snowfall each year, travelers are sure to find powdered flurries in Muskegon, Michigan in the wintertime. The town has become so synonymous with heavy snow each winter that it has gained a reputation as an excellent destination for winter sports like snowshoeing, ice skating, and luge. In the summertime, however, Muskegon transforms into a charming beach town filled with plenty of water activities. Just 40 minutes from Grand Rapids, the lakefront city brings in hoards of vacationers seeking the perfect place to canoe, kayak, or swim in the sun. 10 of 10 Valdez, Alaska, United States John Elk / Getty Images Address Valdez, AK, USA Get directions Web Visit website The sea-level town of Valdez, Alaska sees an average of 326 inches of snowfall each year, but those who want to see even more snow won't have to travel far. Thompson Pass, the 2,678-foot tall mountain pass located just outside the town of Valdez, has been known to see an incredible 500 inches of snow each year. In fact, Thompson Pass holds the record for Alaska's heaviest snowfall ever: in the winter of 1952-53, the mountain saw over 974 inches of snow. Home to ample wildlife and stunning views, Valdez is worthy of a visit even for those who aren't seeking snow. The town is home to the largest tidewater glacier in Alaska, Columbia Glacier, as well as whale watching, river rafting, fishing, and more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit