Five skiing resorts that experienced skiers can't afford to miss:
St. Moritz, Switzerland
Known as the birthplace of premier skiing and winter sports, St. Moritz hosted the second Winter Olympics. The area also offers ski-touring - skiing while pulled by horses.
Niceko, Hokkaido, Japan
Made up of three ski resorts, Niceko is popular for its deep snow powder and a long ski season from the end of November to May. Hotels with natural hot springs are another attraction.
Vail, Colorado, USA
The largest ski area in the world, Vail and its sister resort Beaver Creek are known for setting the standard for snow grooming and lift capacity. About 1 million skiers visit the areas each year.
Whistler, Vancouver, Canada
Host of the 2010 Winter Olympics from Feb 12-28, Whistler is one of the top ski areas in North America noted for its expansive terrain and overall ski experience.
Lyon, France
Lying at the foot of the Alps, the grand resort has as its backdrop one of the most famous mountains in the world - Mont Blanc.