Japan

At Sapporo’s Snow Festival in Hokkaido, Japan, artisans from around the world carve huge, fantastic designs in ice and snow, recreating landmark buildings, historical figures, and cartoon characters. There are lots of festival activities, plus skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling (the powdery snow is legendary). Stay at a luxury city hotel, or a traditional ryokan (guest house), ending each day with a soak in a Japanese onsen (hot spring bath).

Further south, on the main island of Honshu, in the mountains northwest of Tokyo, there’s plenty of great skiing in Nagano, known as the Japanese Alps. This region is also famous for its Snow Monkeys (Japanese Macaque).

Madagascar

St. Regis Hotel in Deer Valley, Utah

Wow! For luxury at a ski in, ski out resort, try the St. Regis in Deer Valley, Utah. The rooms have awesome views and the resort has excellent service, food, ambience and atmosphere. Nature surrounds you and the funicular can take you to main street in Park City. Enjoy the spa and relax or swim in the pool as you watch for deer on the slopes. Does it get any better than that?