Does your pulse elevate at the sight of wild vertical drops and wicked-fast runs? Here are our top five picks for over-the-top ski resorts.
Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia
Double the pleasure, double the fun: These towering twin peaks offer the biggest vertical drop in North America (more than 5,000 feet), some 30 feet of snowfall a year and 7,000 acres of skiable terrain. Little wonder why Whistler Village will join neighboring Vancouver in hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Leave St Mortiz for the jet-set: Serious skiers head to this charming village for its Kleine Matterhorn cable car, the second greatest lift-served vertical drop in the world and three ski areas that reach more than 9,500 feet.
Vail, Colorado
The largest single-mountain ski area in the United States - and touted as "America's favorite resort" - Vail claims almost 200 trails crossing 5,290 skiable acres, the world's fastest high-speed quad lifts and a European-style village laden with restaurants, galleries and boutique shops.
Banff-Lake Louise, Alberta
Situated in the heart of Banff - one of three Canadian national parks to form the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site - Lake Louise actually is made up of three ski areas: Louise, Norquay and Sunshine Village. Locals prefer Mount Norquay for its "monster" vertical drops.
Portillo, Chile
Situated in the heart of the Chilean Andes, South America's oldest ski resort is world renown for its exceptional snowfall and expert runs: The Roca Jack and Condor are so steep they require a special, one-of-a-kind lift while the 125 mile-per-hour speed barrier was broken along the Kilometro Lanzado.
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