Study Abroad Destinations for Skiing & Snowboarding
While maybe not the first location to come to mind for snow sports, Santiago offers undeniable proximity to adventurous South American ski experiences. Under 90 minutes from Santiago is El Colorado, a mountain offering a variety of slopes from beginner to expert. Chile also has several skiable active volcanoes, including Llaima, Lonquimay, Villarrica, Mocho and Choshuenco. It also has opportunities for more rugged cat skiing and eco-skiing in Patagonia. Plus, you can double your ski season by going abroad in Fall term (Chile's winter) and returning in perfect time to catch Colorado's ski season.
Want to combine vibrant and lively city living but don't want to sacrifice ski trips during the winter season? Look no further than Tokyo! Japan is well known for its light, fluffy powder and is a haven for international skiers. Tokyo and Kyoto are a few hours from the famous Hakuba Valley, which has nine resorts, endless miles of runs, and excellent facilities. For students who want to live right at the doorstep of mountains, ski resorts, and relaxing onsen, Akita is the perfect choice. Some ski resorts are as little as half an hour from the city, but most of Akita prefecture's 66 km of slopes are also readily accessible within a 1-4 hours by bus.
New Zealand's South Island is the outdoor enthusiast’s dream with its stunning, expansive natural landscapes— and the skiing and snowboarding scene here is no different. Ski in scenic New Zealand Southern Alps, including Mt. Hutt, Mt. Olympus, Mt. Cheeseman, Mt. Dobson, Mt. Lyford and New Zealand’s tallest, Mt. Cook. During the week, take classes with other local and international students at local universities in Dunedin or Christchurch, and on weekends enjoy a variety of runs for advanced skiers and beginners. Riders can also get their thrill on New Zealand's only Olympic-sized super pipe between Wanaka and Queenstown.
Switzerland has some of the highest percentage of skiers in the world and is an excellent choice if you're looking to spend some time in the breathtaking Alps. When you’re not studying international policy at the U.N. or conducting field research, take some time for fresh powder and alpine air. Nearby skiing is under ninety minutes from Geneva for day trips, and when you have a little extra travel time, Swiss and French ski towns such as Zermatt, Verbier, Gstaad, Val d’isère and Chamonix are readily accessible by train.
Vienna is a city full of rich culture and arts, where you’ll take classes and get hands-on experience. But, when you’re ready for a weekend away hitting the slopes, it’s just a quick trip to most Austrian ski resorts. Austria is home to world-famous ski towns such as Kitzbühel, Lech, St. Anton, Innsbruch, Saalbach, Alpbach and Sölden; however, there are smaller ski resorts too in or under an hour away from the capital city. Attend elite races, get your skis or board in the snow and try out new mountains during your time abroad.
Milan and Cortina are home to the 2026 Winter Olympics for a reason! With some of the best mountains in Europe, Italy has slopes for all levels. Take courses in Milan and spend weekends in the mountains. Not only is Milan near all the skiing in Alps-bordering countries, it’s also near excellent Italian ski towns and the famous Dolomites. Spend your down time in scenic towns such as Cortina D’Ampezzo, Cervina and Madesimo. These towns have a unique multicultural atmosphere with rich historic roots dating back to ancient times.
Seoul isn't only a fantastic destination for its rich culture, history, and busy city life, it's also in close proximity to world-class slopes! Some resorts are as nearby as 40-60 minutes away, many resorts offer direct busses from the city that take 1-3 hours depending on destination, and a high speed train can take you straight to the 2018 Olympic host city Pyeongchang in under 2 hours. There are terrains for all levels, including areas for total beginners to long, expert-level runs!
About an hour apart, both Munich and Regensburg are excellent choices for students looking to access the Northern side of the Alps during their semester abroad! Explore some of the German slopes, or easily cross over into Austrian state of Tyrol, dominated by towering mountains and home to world-famous Innsbruck. This is a particularly great option for students in STEM, as both Munich University of Applied Sciences and Regensburg University have robust course options!
Want to check off skiing on all 6 continents from your bucket list? Ski slopes may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Morocco, but Oukaïmeden, nestled in the Atlas mountains, offers the highest elevation skiing on the whole continent. The four to five hour journey to the resort is completely worth it for its stunning mountain landscapes up and reliable snow, and you can visit vibrant Marrakech and see its stunning gardens and architecture along the way.