Top-7 Snowiest Places on the Earth, Check the List

Snowfall is one of nature’s most beautiful sights, but in some parts of the world it becomes a way of life. Due to very cold weather, high mountains, and moist winds, a few places receive heavy snow every year. These regions remain covered in white for months and are known for extreme winters, icy landscapes, and breathtaking natural beauty.

Why Some Places Receive So Much Snow?

The snowiest places usually lie near warm seas and high mountains. Moist air travels from the ocean, rises when it meets mountains, cools down, and falls as snow. This process, called orographic snowfall, is the main reason for record-breaking snow accumulation. Cold winds, frequent storms, and local geography together create ideal conditions for heavy snow.

List of Snowiest Places on Earth

Snowfall around the world depends on more than just cold temperatures. Places near oceans and mountains often receive the heaviest snow because moist air rises, cools, and falls as snow, creating extreme winter conditions.

Here is the list of snowiest places on the Earth:

Rank	Place	Location	Average Annual Snowfall
1.	Sukayu Onsen	Aomori, Japan	58 feet (17.6 m)
2.	Mount Rainier (Paradise)	Washington, USA	53 feet (16.2 m)
3.	Alyeska Resort	Alaska, USA	55 feet (16.7 m)
4.	Niseko	Hokkaido, Japan	50 feet (15.2 m)
5.	Shirakawa-go	Gifu, Japan	33 feet (10.1 m)
6.	Valdez	Alaska, USA	27 feet (8.4 m)
7.	Aomori City	Aomori, Japan	26 feet (7.9 m)

Sukayu Onsen, Japan

Sukayu Onsen, located in the Hakkoda Mountains of Aomori Prefecture, is widely known as the snowiest inhabited place on Earth. It receives about 17.6 metres (58 feet) of snow each year. Cold winds from Siberia collect moisture over the Sea of Japan and release it as intense snowfall. During winter, snow walls here can rise higher than buildings.

Mount Rainier (Paradise), USA

Mount Rainier’s Paradise area in Washington State is one of the snowiest recorded locations in the world. Moist air from the Pacific Ocean rises rapidly over the mountain and turns into heavy snow. In some years, snowfall has crossed 90 feet, making it a key location for snowfall measurement in North America.

Alyeska Resort, Alaska

Alyeska Resort lies in the Chugach Mountains near the Gulf of Alaska. It receives around 55 feet of snow every year. Frequent storms and strong ocean winds bring huge amounts of moisture, which turns into snow when it hits the mountains. This makes the region one of Alaska’s most snow-filled areas.

Niseko, Japan

Niseko is located on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. It is famous for its light, dry, powdery snow. Around 15 metres of snow falls here annually. Cold air passing over the Sea of Japan causes steady snowfall, making Niseko one of the most snow-rich places in East Asia.

Shirakawa-go, Japan

Shirakawa-go is a historic village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It receives about 33 feet of snow every year. The village is known for its steep-roof houses, specially designed to stop snow from piling up. This area shows how people have adapted their lifestyle to survive heavy snowfall for centuries.

Valdez, Alaska

Valdez is the snowiest coastal town in the United States. Even though it is at sea level, it receives around 27 feet of snow annually. Moist air from the ocean gets trapped by nearby mountains, causing continuous snowfall. This creates serious challenges for transport and daily life.

Aomori City, Japan

Aomori City is considered the snowiest large city in the world. With a population of over 100,000, it still manages nearly 26 feet of snow each year. Located between mountains and the sea, the city uses heated roads and snow-removal systems to function smoothly during long winters.