12 Snowiest Cities in the World You Won’t Believe People Actually Live In

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Have you ever wondered what the snowiest cities in the world are? Are you looking for somewhere to spend a white Christmas? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, you’ve landed in the perfect place. While heavy snowfall can often cause disruptions, making the daily commute to work harder and closing schools, there’s no denying it’s also pretty spectacular.

For many people, us included, there’s no better sight than a city or landscape covered in snow. It adds a more magical atmosphere, especially at Christmas when most places transform into winter wonderlands. Here are 12 of the world’s snowiest cities where you can expect plenty of snow.

Aomori City, Japan

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Aomori City, the capital of Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan, is widely regarded as the snowiest city in the world. According to Accuweather, the city experiences an average of 312 inches (7.9 meters) of snow yearly. Most snowfalls occur between November and April when snow walls stand tall along the edges of cleared roads.

One of the main reasons this city experiences so much snow is that the cold, humid air from northeast Asia collides with the Ou Mountain Range, causing heavy snowfall across the city and the surrounding region. This cold weather and heavy snowfall are a far cry from the city’s hot summer days, where temperatures hit a toasty 82°F (28°F).

Valdez, Alaska, United States

Alaska is recognized worldwide for its snowy landscapes, so, unsurprisingly, one of the state’s cities is among the snowiest on Earth. While many people consider Aomori City the snowiest city in the world, Valdez, a city in Southern Alaska, experiences more snowfall. This picturesque coastal city experiences 330 inches (8.3 meters) of snowfall every winter.

For context, the deepest snow where people live in the United Kingdom was recorded in Ruthin, North Wales, in 1946-1947, when snow reached 65 inches (1.65 meters) deep. In Valdez, many hours are spent clearing snow and sanding roads to ensure the harsh winter conditions don’t disrupt the local people’s lives.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia’s cultural center and capital, is one of the snowiest cities in Europe. The city experiences 10+ days of snow per month in winter, making it a winter wonderland for travelers, who often visit the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites and breathtaking medieval architecture.

The snow isn’t as deep in Tallinn as in other places around the globe, so local life goes on relatively easily. If you visit Tallinn in December, you can explore while the Christmas celebrations are in full flow. When you’re not throwing snowballs at your family, get lost among the sights, smells, and tastes of the annual Christmas market. As expected, skiing and snowboarding are also popular in Tallinn.

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

12 Snowiest Cities in the World St. John's, NL and Labrador, Canada — © Dolores M. Harvey / Shutterstock

Like Alaska, Canada is famed worldwide for its snowy landscapes, so you won’t be surprised to hear that a handful of the country’s cities are among the snowiest in the world. One of Canada’s snowiest cities is St. John’s, a former English colony on the island of Newfoundland.

This historic city averages 131 inches (3.3 meters) of snow every year. During the harshest snowfall, it’s not out of the question that cars are entirely swallowed by the snow, making it difficult for residents and travelers to get around. As expected, the local government must work hard to clear the streets. On the plus side, St. John’s vibrant architecture looks spectacular when served with a snowy backdrop.

Saguenay, Quebec, Canada

Another Canadian city that makes this list of the world’s snowiest cities is Saguenay, where residents can expect an average of approximately 123 inches (3.14 meters) of snow annually. Saguenay is best known for Saguenay Fjord, which leads to the St. Lawrence River, making it a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts.

However, you’ll need your snowshoes if you visit the city in winter when the snow falls the most. In fact, there are only 5.6 months of the year when it doesn’t snow in Saguenay, so you’d have to time your visit well if you want to avoid the snowy conditions. The snowless period in Saguenay typically lasts from late April to mid-October.

Buffalo, New York, United States

In Buffalo, New York, heavy snowfall is not uncommon, causing massive disruption to daily lives. In recent years, heavy snowfall has closed schools, cut off power, paralyzed emergency services, and canceled Buffalo Bills matches. Buffalo is famous for its annual snowfall, which averages 95 inches (2.4 meters).

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Besides the heavy snowfall, Buffalo is known for its rich history, impressive architecture, proximity to Niagara Falls, and Buffalo sauce. If snow doesn’t disrupt your trip to Buffalo, you’re in for a real treat. Make sure you visit Niagara Falls, Lake Erie, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Buffalo Naval Park, and Buffalo City Hall. If you love the snow, visit in November and December.

Sapporo, Japan

Best Winter Destinations in Japan Sapporo, Hokkaido Hokkaido Government Office — © Travel man / Adobe Stock

Many of the world’s snowiest cities are excellent at embracing heavy snowfall, unlike places like the United Kingdom, where everyday life grinds to a halt after a couple of inches of snow. Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido, Japan, is a fine example. Home to almost two million people, Sapporo experiences approximately 191 inches (4.85 meters) of snow yearly.

Quite brilliantly, the city uses the snow to its advantage, hosting an annual event called the Sapporo Snow Festival. During the festival, residents and travelers enjoy delicious food and drink, cultural snow-related activities, and impressive snow sculptures. Furthermore, Sapporo has been known to host various winter sports events, including the 1972 Olympic Winter Games.

Rovaniemi, Finland

12 Beautiful Places for Winter Landscapes in the World Lapland, Finland — © fotoru / Adobe Stock

In Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus, snow can fall for over seven months of the year, making this picturesque destination one of the snowiest cities in the world. The average snowfall in Rovaniemi isn’t often heavy, but it still covers Finnish Lapland with a beautiful white snow coating, adding to the city’s alluring winter wonderland appearance.

The snowiest time of year in Rovaniemi is between October and May, so if you visit in December, you can expect a white Christmas. The city’s consistent snowfall makes skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and dog sledding popular. However, most people visit to experience the festivities in the Santa Claus Village.

Syracuse, New York, United States

Like Buffalo, Syracuse, a city in New York State, is no stranger to snow. Annually, the city experiences an average annual snowfall of approximately 124 inches (3.1 meters). However, according to Snow Plow News, the most significant snowfall in one season in Syracuse was 207.9 inches (5.28 meters) in 1993.

With statistics like these, it’s no surprise many people believe Syracuse is the snowiest metropolitan area in the United States. Syracuse experiences heavy snowfall because of its proximity to Lake Ontario and the dumping of snow by nor’easter cyclones. It likely won’t come as a surprise that Syracuse regularly wins the Golden Snowball Award, which is given to the city in Upstate New York that receives the most snowfall in a season.

Tromsø, Norway

Tromsø, a vibrant city in Northern Norway, is covered in snow for at least seven months of the year, making it one of Europe’s snowiest cities. According to Weather Spark, snow falls in Tromsø between late September and mid-May, with January being the snowiest month.

Tromsø experiences up to 16.2 inches (0.4 meters) of snow in January. Tromsø is a beautiful city to visit without the snow, but the consistent snowfall ensures the city looks even more spectacular. The vibrant architecture pops off the white backdrop while the snow-capped mountains surrounding the city look spectacular. The city transforms into a winter wonderland with a Christmas market in December.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik might experience less snow than other cities worldwide, but it snows a lot. Iceland’s capital city annually experiences up to 50 days of snow. For context, Oslo, the capital of Norway, only experiences approximately 20 days of snow yearly. Besides, the snow around Reykjavik can be intense.

Throughout the year, it’s common for snowfall in parts of Iceland to be so heavy that snow reaches depths of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters). Meanwhile, certain areas can snow for up to seven months of the year. From Reykjavik, you can easily explore Iceland’s snowy landscapes. Must-visit destinations include Skogafoss, Thingvellir National Park, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

Kiruna, Sweden

Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city, experiences snowfall for approximately seven months of the year. Snowfall is so common in Kiruna that the city hosts an annual Snow Festival featuring winter sports, light shows, and exciting activities like figure skating. This annual event has been taking place in the city since 1986.

Like many of the world’s snowiest cities, getting around by car poses great difficulties. Luckily, dog sledding and snowmobiling are popular modes of transport in this Arctic city. If you visit Kiruna in winter, you’ll be greeted by a mesmerizing winter wonderland covered in thick snow. You might even spot the Aurora Borealis. Sounds pretty epic, right?