Winter Adventures: 5 Volcanoes You Can Ski or Snowboard

If you have a taste for adventure and really want to turn up the heat on this snow season, why don’t you try a ski resort in the vicinity of a volcano? Volcanoes offer skiing and boarding at their best – with just a little bit of a fear factor!

Here are five you simply have to visit!

1) Mount Hood, Oregon, US

Image by: Howcheng

This volcano may not have erupted since 1782, but it’s still classified as the fourth most dangerous volcano in North America, and the likelihood of erupting in the next 30 years still remains at 3-7%. But if you’re willing to dodge active fumaroles, then Mount Hood should be your next destination.

Try staying at the Timberline Lodge Ski Area for awesome all-year-round snow and a great selection of luxury ski chalets, or Summit Ski Area for some of the best night skiing the state has to offer.

2) Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Image by: Huntster

If you’re looking for untouched snow, no set runs, and the element of surprise, Mauna Kea is the volcano for you. During January and February temperatures drop, and the summit of the volcano becomes a great destination for winter sports. However, you may have to battle 68mph winds and there are no facilities on the slopes at all, so make sure you pack ski goggles and plenty of water!

3) Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand

Image by: Ingolfson

For those wanting the true experience of skiing or boarding on a volcano, Mount Ruapehu will give you just that, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It has a danger level of 1 (the highest) and last year there were several warnings of unusual volcanic activity.

Of course, with the adrenaline rush of skiing on a very much active volcano, comes the need to be prepared. Make sure you leave the MP3 player at home and avoid venturing off-piste, as loudspeakers that surround the skiing area are the only warning of any unusual volcanic activity, and can give you just 1-3 minutes to get to higher ground in order to avoid lahars (rivers of volcanic mud). If this hasn’t put you off, the runs on Mount Ruapehu are some of the best in Australasia, including the largest vertical drop!

Just don’t forget your survival pack!

4) Villarrica, Chile

Image by: Alpertron

With 65 eruptions since records began in 1558, Villarrica is one of Chile’s most active volcanoes – though it hasn’t erupted since 1971 – and is home to the ski resort of Pucon. What makes Villarrica different is that it has a live crater which you can hike up to and peer into – and then ski or board down from again. Past lava flows have made a network of natural cornices, wind lips and halfpipes, making amazing runs for advanced and expert skiers.

5) Avachinsky, Russia 

Image by: Jvdc

If it’s unbridled adventure you’re after, the snow-covered slopes of Avachinsky may be just what the doctor ordered. Part of the volcanoes of the Kamchatka range, this area has only very recently been opened to people not of the area, so is more or less completely free of facilities – expect lots of off-roading and snowmobiling.

The volcano last had a small eruption in 2001, but it still experiences regular earthquakes, so it’s best to go with a tour operator or guide in lieu of the lack of warning systems. If you can brave the possibility of avalanches, however, the piste-less skiing and boarding is amazing!

So have you skied any of these volcanoes? Any plans to?

This article is provided by Dynamic Lives, who provide luxury tailor-made holidays.