Chile

***Portillo is one of the oldest and best-known resorts in South America and a popular choice for dedicated skiers. It's about two hours from the capital, Santiago, and is perched 10,000 feet up in the Andes. The management purposefully limits the number of skiers allowed on the slopes in any one day, so it's never crowded. Also, take time off on Friday nights to check out the beautiful torch-lit parade performed weekly by the students of the ski school.

Boasts: 80% sunny days, 2,500 feet vertical drop, 1.5 mile runs, close to the capital...

2011 Ski Season: June 25th - October 1st

Rates and Additional Information: http://www.skiportillo.com/ingles/

Trail Map: http://www.skiportillo.com/assets/files/trailmap.pdf

Getting There: It's a painless two hour drive from Santiago, Chile.

New Zealand

***Coronet Peak & the Remarkables are in New Zealand's most popular tourist destination, Queenstown. The lakeside city in the heart of the Southern Alps boasts several nearby ski resorts, but Coronet Peak and the Remarkables are owned and operated under one company and offer combined packages for additional terrain. With one of the world's most sophisticated ticketing system, skiers and riders can track their vertical meters and share their stats online. While Remarkables is a more boarder-friendly resort with a large terrain park, Coronet Peak is the premier mountain for skiers and families.

Boasts: night skiing, tubing, terrain park, sweeping views, lively ski town, advanced electronic lift ticket...

2011 Ski Season: June 10th (Coronet Peak) June 18th (Remarkables) - October (Weather Depending)

Rates and Additional Information: http://nzski.com/products/2011/liftPasses.jsp

Trail Maps: Coronet Peak and Remarkables

Getting There: There are several daily, direct flights from Auckland, Sydney or Melbourne into Queenstown's small airport. The ski fields are within an hour's drive (or bus ride) from the town.

***Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand's largest skiing area, is located on the side of one of the world's most active volcanoes in the center of the country's North Island. Comprised of two ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa, the slopes are in view of Ruapehu's two companion volcanoes. Sir Edmund Hillary, of Everest fame, opened New Zealand's first chairlift here in 1954, the year after his epic climb and the ski resort has grown dramatically ever since.

Boasts: Stunning location, huge snow filled basins, steep chutes, natural halfpipes, drop-offs and secret powder stashes...

2011 Ski Season: June 25th (Turoa) July 2nd (Whakapapa) - October 24

Rates and Additional Information: http://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/lift-passes/

Trail Map: http://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/interactive-map/

Getting There: Mt Ruapehu is located roughly halfway between Auckland and Wellington and is a 4 to 5 hour drive from each city. For even more convenience, you can also catch a connecting flight to Taupo, approximately 1 hour away.

Australia

***Falls Creek, in the mountains above the town of Mount Beauty, Victoria, has been a magnet for skiers since the turn of the 20th century. However, the first lifts were not built until the 1960's. Today, it is the biggest resort in Victoria with almost 100 trails and around 50 miles of piste. Also, with four terrain parks, Falls Creek stakes its claim as Australia's freeride and freestyle capital. Unlike most other resorts in Australia, Falls Creek is a 'ski-in ski-out' resort where you can ski/board from the door of all lodging. With lift passes that can be used at neighboring Mount Hotham, skiers and riders can enjoy an even greater variety of terrain.

Boasts: Both cross country and alpine trails, 4 terrain parks, tubing, night skiing, 92+ runs, 14 lifts...

2011 Ski Season: June 10th - October 2nd

Rates and Additional Information: http://www.fallscreek.com.au/PassesPrices

Trail Maps: Alpine Trails and Cross Country Trails

Getting There: Falls Creek is the closest alpine resort to Brisbane, an easy day's drive from Sydney and a four and a half hours drive from Melbourne. In more of a hurry? Catch a connecting flight from Sydney or Melbourne to the nearest airport in Albury.

Argentina South Africa Argentina Australia