Head for the Hills

France: Chalet Mélèze Courchevel 1850 is in the Trois Vallées, the largest ski complex on the planet (over 600 km of trails). This is the resort that perfected luxury chalet vacations, and Mélèze is among the best of the breed: a catered private four-bedroom trailside chalet with such ski necessities as Turkish baths and massage rooms. But book soon — at just $30,000 a week in high season, it's going fast. The price is all inclusive for eight people, except transportation and lift tickets ($250 per person).

Japan: Niseko Higashiyama Prince Hotel On Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost (and snowiest) island, Niseko boasts some of the world's best powder skiing, with three diverse ski areas — plenty to keep skiers busy for a full week. The hotel, a comfortable modern complex at the base of the slopes, offers six-day lodging and meal packages for $1,350, including lift passes but not transportation.

UNITED STATES: The Lodge at Vail Aspen might have the glitz, but with its recent expansion into Blue Sky Basin — a mountain face with intermediate and advanced tree skiing — Vail secured its position as the largest ski mountain in North America. The Lodge is Vail's landmark hotel, with prices to match: luxury room, lift tickets and airport shuttle will ring in over $7,000 for two people.

Chile: Hotel Portillo Chile's premier mountain offers all-inclusive weeklong packages. The flagship Hotel Portillo has double rooms with breathtaking views for $1,860 per person. But you'll have to wait until June, when the South American ski season starts again.