Skateboarding thrives on good weather, smooth streets, and access to quality skateparks. Unfortunately, some cities in the U.S. fall short in these areas.
Whether it’s due to harsh weather, poor road conditions, or a lack of skateboarding infrastructure, these cities rank as the most challenging for skaters.
Here’s a countdown from number 10 to the absolute worst city for skateboarding.
- Why It’s Bad: Lincoln has limited skateboarding infrastructure, with few notable street spots or skateparks.
- Weather: Winters in Lincoln are harsh, with average lows of 15°F in January and snowfall averaging 26 inches annually. Summers are hot, often exceeding 90°F.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: The city’s freeze-thaw cycles lead to cracked and uneven streets. Additionally, limited investment in urban infrastructure worsens road conditions.
- Skateparks: Lincoln lacks variety in its skateparks. Main parks like Peter Pan Skatepark are small and lack modern features, making them less appealing to serious skaters.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: Omaha, NE (60 miles) offers slightly better skateparks, such as Roberts Skatepark.
- Why It’s Bad: Birmingham’s skateboarding scene is small, and the city has few high-quality skateparks.
- Weather: Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures reaching over 90°F. Rainfall is frequent, with an annual average of 55 inches, making outdoor skating unpredictable.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: The combination of heavy rainfall and poor road maintenance creates uneven, cracked streets that are difficult to skate on.
- Skateparks: The city has only a handful of parks, like George Ward Skatepark, which is outdated and poorly maintained.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: Atlanta, GA (150 miles) offers better skateparks and street skating opportunities.
- Why It’s Bad: Toledo has a limited skate scene, with few skateparks and few recognizable street spots.
- Weather: Winters are freezing, with lows averaging 18°F, and heavy snowfall (37 inches annually). Summers are humid, with occasional thunderstorms.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: The city’s cold winters and lack of infrastructure funding result in rough, pothole-filled roads.
- Skateparks: Ottawa Park Skatepark is one of the city’s few options. It’s small, outdated, and not well-suited for more advanced skaters.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: Detroit, MI (60 miles) offers slightly better parks and street spots.
- Why It’s Bad: Anchorage’s extreme weather and short skating season make it a tough place for skaters.
- Weather: Long winters with temperatures averaging 9°F and heavy snowfall (74 inches annually) leave little time for outdoor skating.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: Constant freezing and thawing create cracks and potholes, making streets nearly unskateable.
- Skateparks: Anchorage has few skateparks, and the existing ones, like the East Anchorage Skatepark, are basic and poorly maintained.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: There are no significantly better options within a reasonable distance.
6. Laredo, Texas
- Why It’s Bad: Laredo’s skateboarding infrastructure is underdeveloped, with few skateparks and limited street skating options.
- Weather: Summers are scorching, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F. Rain is rare, but when it occurs, streets often flood.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: Poor city investment in road maintenance leads to cracked, uneven pavement.
- Skateparks: The city’s skateparks, like Slaughter Park, are small and lack variety in obstacles and features.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: San Antonio, TX (150 miles) offers better skateparks and a stronger skate scene.
- Why It’s Bad: Fargo’s long winters and lack of skateboarding infrastructure make it difficult for skaters.
- Weather: Winters are brutal, with temperatures dropping to -3°F and heavy snowfall. Summers are short and humid.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: Extreme temperature fluctuations cause severe road damage, leading to cracks and uneven surfaces.
- Skateparks: Fargo Skatepark is small and lacks the advanced features needed to attract more experienced skaters.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: Minneapolis, MN (235 miles) is a better option with larger skateparks like 3rd Lair Skatepark.
- Why It’s Bad: Cheyenne has very few skateboarding opportunities, with limited parks and street spots.
- Weather: Winters are harsh, with temperatures dropping to 16°F, and heavy winds make outdoor skating difficult year-round.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: Poor city investment in infrastructure and extreme weather conditions lead to cracked, uneven roads.
- Skateparks: The city’s small skatepark, Holliday Park, lacks modern features and variety.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: Denver, CO (100 miles) is a much better option for skateboarding.
- Why It’s Bad: Wichita’s limited skateboarding infrastructure and extreme weather make it less appealing to skaters.
- Weather: Summers are hot and humid, with highs around 92°F. Winters are cold, averaging 22°F, with occasional snow.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: Poor road maintenance and extreme temperature changes result in cracked and uneven pavement.
- Skateparks: Wichita Skatepark is basic and lacks diverse obstacles, limiting its appeal to advanced skaters.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: Kansas City, MO (200 miles) has more skateparks and a better skate scene.
- Why It’s Bad: Des Moines has few quality skateparks and limited street skating opportunities.
- Weather: Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging 14°F. Summers are humid, with highs around 85°F.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: Freeze-thaw cycles lead to cracked, uneven streets, and limited city funding for infrastructure exacerbates the issue.
- Skateparks: Lauridsen Skatepark is the city’s main attraction, but its large size can make it intimidating for beginners.
- Other Great Cities Nearby: Omaha, NE (135 miles) offers smaller but more accessible skateparks.
- Why It’s Bad: Buffalo’s harsh winters and lack of skateboarding infrastructure make it the worst city for skaters.
- Weather: Winters are brutal, with temperatures averaging 18°F and annual snowfall exceeding 90 inches. Summers are mild but short.
- Why Road Surfaces Are Horrible: Heavy snowfall and freeze-thaw cycles create potholes and uneven surfaces, making streets almost unskateable.
- Skateparks: The city’s few parks, like LaSalle Skate Plaza, are small, outdated, and lack advanced features.
Other Great Cities Nearby: Cleveland, OH (190 miles) offers better skateparks and smoother streets.
Conclusion
These cities pose significant challenges for skateboarders due to poor weather, rough road conditions, and a lack of quality skateparks. While some nearby cities offer slightly better opportunities, skaters in these areas often face an uphill battle to find enjoyable places to skate.
