Some cities see snow as a seasonal event. In others, it's part of daily life for months. Roads vanish under drifts, and rooftops get buried. As for the outdoor plans, those depend on the next storm.
If you’ve ever wondered where snowfall isn’t just frequent but defining, this list lays it out.
Aomori, Japan
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No other city matches Aomori’s snowfall. It’s located where Siberian winds collide with moisture from the Sea of Japan. The region averages more than 26 feet of snow each year. Residents have adapted to underground arcades and insulated homes.
Valdez, Alaska, USA
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Despite being at sea level, Valdez receives over 320 inches of snow annually. The nearby Thompson Pass sees even more, which peaks at a record 974 inches in one winter. Roads and roofs are built with that in mind and engineered for weight.
Chamonix, France
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At the base of Mont Blanc, Chamonix experiences steep altitude changes that funnel storms into the valley. Snow totals can reach over 35 feet per season. While the ski industry dominates today, the town’s alpine obsession goes back to the first Winter Olympics in 1924, which were held right here.
Sapporo, Japan
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Sapporo’s winters are long and intense, but the city puts on a show. Each February, more than two million visitors attend the Snow Festival to see towering sculptures carved from ice and snow. The surrounding mountains offer prime conditions for skiing well into spring.
St. John’s, Canada
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Newfoundland’s capital is no stranger to weather extremes. It receives an average of 131 inches of snow per year. Snow can quickly turn to freezing rain and back again, which leaves streets layered in ice.
Toyama, Japan
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It may sit in a humid subtropical climate, but Toyama’s proximity to the Sea of Japan makes it a heavy snow zone. Annual snow totals often exceed 140 inches. One of its most photographed features is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, where buses pass through snow walls that reach 65 feet in height.
Syracuse, New York, USA
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Syracuse claims the top spot among major U.S. cities for annual snowfall. Lake Ontario fuels frequent lake-effect snowstorms, which can stretch the season from November into March. The city even tracks its totals against other contenders through a friendly but serious contest called the Golden Snowball Award.
Quebec City, Canada
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Average temperatures dip well below zero in winter, and snow totals reach 124 inches each year. Quebec City meets the cold with its massive Winter Carnival, where ice sculptures and parades keep spirits up. Its walled old town, already cobbled and compact, feels even more like a snow globe during the winter months.
Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
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Snow in Erie arrives fast and often. The city averages over 100 inches of snowfall across 57 days per year. It’s located on the southern shore of Lake Erie and is a textbook case of lake-effect storms. When snow isn’t falling, the city offers a surprising summer scene with wine trails and beaches.
Tromsø, Norway
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Snow isn’t the only extreme in Tromsø. The city also sees weeks without sunlight during the polar night. It averages around 72 inches of snow yearly, but its draw lies in what happens above the snow. The Northern Lights often stretch across the sky.