Surf or Ski? How to have it all in the same day
Oh, decisions, decisions… Here we are bang in the middle of winter with ski season in full swing, yet the surf is tempting us too. What to do?
Here’s a news flash for you: you don’t have to choose! Whether you love surfing and skiing just the same, or your partner or family prefer one or the other, the good news is that you can have both. It’s possible to surf and ski on the same day.
How, you ask? There are some places in the world where sand and snow are so close to one another that it would be such a shame not to take full advantage of both. You don’t have to be a seasoned surfer or an experienced skier/snowboarder to attempt the two within one day. The places I’m about to show you are suitable for all levels. You can take surf lessons in the morning and skiing lessons in the afternoon.
Check out these incredible locations where you can surf and ski on the same day:
1. Southern California, USA
Best time to surf & ski in SoCal: November to March
The Golden State truly deserves its name. Skiing and surfing in California on the same day has become a sought-after endeavor that even has its own name – the ‘California Double.’ You can surf the restless Pacific Ocean and then drive to the SoCal Mountains for some wicked skiing or snowboarding.
Los Angeles is the perfect base camp if you wish to take on the challenge of surfing and skiing on the same day. There’s no particular way to do it – some prefer to hit the waves early in the morning and end the day with a cup of mulled wine after a great ski or snowboard session; others prefer to hit the slopes in the morning and watch the sunset from Venice Beach after catching some waves.
Surf the renowned breaks at Malibu Beach, Venice Beach, and Huntington Beach. Then, hit the slopes at Big Bear Lake, Mountain High, and Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains. Home to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain ski resorts, Big Bear is only 100 miles (160km) from LA, a roughly two and a half hours’ drive, and is one of the best ski resorts in California.
2. France
Best time to surf & ski in France: December to March
Winter is the best time to catch some gnarly waves in France, as the Atlantic sends consistently big swells towards the shore. This is when the legendary Belharra break comes to life, reaching up to 50ft (15m). This is also when the nearby Alps and Pyrenees are covered in powdery snow, making it the ideal time of year to combine surfing in France with riding down some incredibly scenic ski runs.
In Southwest France, the pumping surf at Biarritz is, without any doubt, on any avid surfer’s bucket list. Hosting many international surfing competitions, the surf capital of France is also one of the most crowded surf spots in France. Luckily, it’s easy to escape the crowds – just head on over to any of the other excellent spots in the Basque Country.
Anglet, Hossegor, and Guethary are within less than an hour’s drive from Biarritz and have some of the best breaks on the planet. Mundaka in Spain and Supertubos in Portugal are quite close too.
» For more on the surfing seasons, best waves, what to eat, and how to budget your trip, read our complete guide to surfing in Southwest France.
Saint-Lary-Soulan is one of the largest ski resorts in the Pyrenees. Also famous for its thermal baths, it’s only a two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Biarritz. La Pierre St Martin ski resort in the French Pyrenees is 93 miles (150km) from Biarritz, also a two-and-a-half hours’ drive.
3. New Zealand
Best time to surf & ski in New Zealand: Late June to mid-October Image Credit: Cheap Snow Gear Ltd.
With 15,000 km (9,300mi) of coastline, it should come as no surprise that New Zealand is a surfing paradise. And, during winter, you can go from surfing to skiing within as little as an hour.
However, please take note that surfing in New Zealand during winter months (April-November) can get pretty wild – the sea gets big and stormy, the winds are strong and the water is cold. There are, however, plenty of breaks for all levels during this season too.
Legendary surf spots like Raglan and Piha can be found on the west coast of the North Island. Further south, Boulders Bay in New Plymouth has some fun and fast waves on offer, suitable for all levels. From there, it is only an hour’s drive to Mt. Taranaki, where the Manganui Ski Area offers intermediate ski runs as well as open bowls.
On the south island, Christchurch is home to a popular sandy beach break by the name of Taylors Mistake. When the conditions are just right, it offers long barreling sections and even the chance to surf with dolphins!
If you’d like to score the ‘New Zealand Double,’ you can ski and surf on the same day by heading from Christchurch to Mt. Hutt ski resort, a two hours’ drive. Voted the best ski resort in New Zealand, Mt. Hutt has one of the longest vertical drops on the South Island.
4. Morocco
Best time to surf & ski in Morocco: January to late March
The Northern Hemisphere winter is the prime season for surfing in Morocco. The North Atlantic heats up, sending powerful and consistent swells. There are all types of surf breaks for all levels and tastes – beach breaks, reef breaks, big and small, mellow and fast, barreling and hollow, you name it!
With balmy winter temperatures, fascinating culture, and cheap living, Taghazout is geographically blessed for surfing and is a premier winter surfing destination.
» From the surfing seasons and best waves to what to eat and how to budget your trip, here’s all you need to know about surfing in Morocco.
After checking out the surf in Tagazhout, hit the slopes at Oukaïmeden, the highest ski resort in Africa. The resort sits at an elevation of 8,530ft (2,600m) and the chairs go as high as 10,603ft (3,258m) to the Jebel Attar peak. Oukaïmeden is around 220 miles (350km) from Taghazout, which means roughly five hours to get there by car. There’s still enough time to surf and ski on the same day, though.
Located in the Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz region, Ouikaïmeden is a small and picturesque ski resort in the High Atlas Mountains, 50 miles (80km) east of Marrakesh. Skiing in Morocco is off-the-radar and, therefore, an entirely different experience from Europe’s high-end resorts. Runs are not well-groomed or signposted, which means complete freedom riding some deep powder.
5. Chile
Best time to surf & ski in Chile: June to October
Surfers know Chile for the astounding surfing destination that it is. Skiers and snowboarders flock to its legendary ski runs. Those who practice both sports know that it is a must-go destination if you want to surf and ski on the same day!
The Southern Hemisphere winter is a great time to travel to Chile for some outdoor adventure. Between mid-June and October, the swell is pumping and the ski season is in full swing.
A narrow country sandwiched between the Chilean Andes and the restless Pacific Ocean, Chile has 2,653 miles (4,270km) of coastline and 300+ days of excellent surfing conditions. What’s more, surfing in Chile is still off-the-radar, which means uncrowded line-ups and quiet beaches. And it’s one of the most affordable surfing destinations in the world!
The central region of Chile, close to capital Santiago offers a variety of breaks for beginners to advanced surfers. From Valparaiso, a three-hour drive will take you to Valle Nevado. Pichilemu, Chile’s surfing capital, is a four-hour drive from Valle Nevado.
Chile’s largest ski resort, Valle Nevado is only 40 miles (65km) east of Santiago. If you’re into off-piste skiing, then you’ll be thrilled to know that the heli-skiing here has been rated the best in South America. Also in the heart of the breathtaking Andes, La Parva, El Colorado, and Farellones are some of the best ski resorts in Chile that are within half an hour’s drive from Valle Nevado.