Love the Snow? These Are the 12 Snowiest Cities in the US

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If you’re looking for epic skiing and cozy winter nights, there’s nothing like a snowy city in the United States. In these snowiest cities in the US, you’ll be sure to have a white Christmas.

The US covers a vast area and has several climates. Besides the deserts of the Southwest and the subtropical swamps of the Southeast, much of the country lies in one of the snowiest regions of North America, and many of its cities are right in the thick of it.

Several cities lie in the path of the frigid jet stream and are near big bodies of water or high-elevation mountains that give the cold air mass enough moisture to dump snow. Below are the 12 snowiest cities in the US according to winter snowfall averages.

Syracuse, New York

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Syracuse averages close to 128 inches of snow a year, making it one of the snowiest destinations in the US. Every winter, Syracuse locals have to tunnel through towering walls of snow to get to their homes or work.

The city sits close to several lakes and mountains that fuel cold air masses with moisture. When the cold air comes, all that moisture accumulates and dumps on the city.

Winter is a great time to visit the city and enjoy its snowy landscape. Snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing are popular on the trails surrounding the city. When the temperatures get really cold, you can even enjoy local ice sculptures.

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is one of the snowiest cities in the US, with an average of around 120 inches per year. From October to March, lake-effect snow dumps on the city.

This atmospheric phenomenon happens when a cold air mass hits a large body of water. The warmer water temperatures cause the cold air to warm up past its due point, the temperature where water vapor in the air condenses into rain or ice.

Sault Ste. Marie sits in the middle of Lake Superior and Lake Huron. When cold air masses pass over the lakes, the city gets completely dumped on.

Erie, Pennsylvania

The coastal city of Erie is named after Lake Erie. Its shoreline is pounded by lake-effect snow, which gives the city an average of around 104 inches of snowfall per year, making it one of the snowiest cities in the US.

If you love snowy sights, nothing beats Erie’s downtown covered in snow. You’ll see snow sculptures and enjoy skiing and snowshoeing, even downtown.

Winter sports are popular around the city. Cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowmobiling are popular throughout the region, making it a haven for people who want to have adventures in the snow.

Rochester, New York

Rochester is another Upstate New York destination that gets a lot of snow. Up to 102 inches fall on the city every winter, making it one of the snowiest cities in the country.

The city gets its high average annual snowfall because of lake-effect snow from nearby Lake Ontario. Along the Genesee River, piles of snow accumulate, making a massive canvas for snow sculptures and snowball fights.

The city hosts snow-themed events every winter, especially around the holidays. Come for the Roc Holiday Village festival and see colorful decorations, family activities, and fire pits scattered throughout the snowy space.

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo gets around 95 inches of snow a year, making it one of the snowiest cities in the US. The city lies close to the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, creating a massive lake-effect phenomenon.

When this happens, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, with snow forts, snow sculptures, and giant snow figures in almost every yard. Outside the city, you can enjoy some of the best snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the country.

The downside of its snowy reputation is the constant threat of road closures and being snowed in. Many businesses and schools have to close in the winter because they are enclosed in a mass of snow.

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau sits in a valley that concentrates snowfall, giving the city an average of 94 inches of snow annually. This makes it one of the top cities for snowfall in the US.

Aside from disrupting traffic, the city’s high snowfall creates a beautiful scene. Its mountains come alive with winter sports, and skiers and snowboarders enjoy some of the best snow in the country.

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Downtown turns into a winter scene unlike anywhere else in the country. Locals carve out tunnels of snow in parks, and winter events sometimes become accessible only by cross-country ski and snowshoe.

Muskegon, Michigan

Muskegon is located in the southwest corner of Michigan, on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Thanks to the lake-effect snow that hammers its coastline every year, the city earns its reputation as one of the snowiest places in the Great Lakes.

The city gets an average of around 93 inches of snow. From November to March, massive snowstorms slam into the city, burying it in heavy snow and causing traffic delays and school closures.

In the winter, Muskegon becomes a hangout for snowmobilers looking to cross the state’s many small trails. You’ll also find cross-country skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts in the city’s restaurants and bars, waiting for the sun to come out so they can take to the trails and hit the nearby slopes.

Boulder, Colorado

Boulder sits right at the base of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the most snow-covered cities in the US. When cold air masses from Canada hit the Rockies, Boulder gets dumped on, receiving almost 90 inches of snow per year.

When this happens, the city turns into a winter sports getaway with nearby ski resorts opening and cross-country ski trails becoming packed with athletes. You’ll be sure to find world-class powder in Boulder during the winter.

Downtown, stores and businesses turn the snowy weather into a way to have fun. Ice sculptures, snow statues, and even snow forts pop up around the city, making it a magical place to visit during the winter months.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff may not seem like a winter destination for snow, but it is one of the US cities with the heaviest snowfall. Around 90 inches of snowfall falls on the high desert city every year.

When the city’s famous ski resorts open, it transforms into a winter sports getaway. Places such as the Arizona Snowbowl attract thousands of winter sports enthusiasts every month.

Downtown also turns into a snowy sight, with holiday lights glimmering off the powder. If you visit, you may become snowed in and have to wait out the weather in one of Flagstaff’s fun restaurants or bars.

Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth gets around 86 inches of snow every year, making it one of the US cities with the most snow. When the lake-effect snow from Lake Superior dumps on the city, it turns into a frozen planet with snow speeders flying by and wampas running about.

Nearby the city are ski resorts and cross-country ski trails that take you deep into the Minnesota wilderness. Sometimes, the snow is so deep that schools and businesses close, giving people a well-needed snow day or two.

Downtown Duluth celebrates the snowy weather with annual events. Many restaurants and cafes transform their outside spaces with fire pits and fun snow sculptures.

Burlington, Vermont

Burlington is a city that sits right on the shores of Lake Champlain. Because of this, it receives massive amounts of snow, averaging around 73 inches every year.

When the snow falls, the city and its surroundings turn into a winter sports paradise. You’ll find everything from epic skiing to snowmobiling through the rugged terrain surrounding the city.

Lake Champlain also freezes over, and ice fishers try to catch their meals, and snowmobilers cross the ice to New York State. Downtown also turns into a snowy paradise with businesses and parks throwing events and fun activities in the snowy weather.

Casper, Wyoming

As much as 72 inches of snow dump on Casper every winter, making it one of the snowiest cities in the western US. Cold airmasses swoop into the US from Canada, and when the air hits the nearby Rocky Mountains, it dumps on Casper.

In the winter, the city transforms into a winter sports capital. The nearby Hogadon Basin Ski Area turns into a busy ski resort with thousands of winter sports enthusiasts visiting each year.

Downtown Casper hosts annual winter festivals and events. During the ski season, you’ll find winter sports enthusiasts cozying next to a fire in the local taverns and bars. You’ll also see live music and tons of winter activities when the snow makes it impossible to go outside.