From Chamonix and St. Moritz in the European Alps to Aspen, Colorado, and Lake Louise, Canada, this beautifully illustrated volume features 40 of the most celebrated, fashionable, and diverse skiing destinations in the world. Each resort is treated individually, with the author's vivid and lively description, handsome color photos, and an information panel that tells readers how to get there, the site's altitude, number of lifts, types of pistes or ski runs, the resort's special advantages, and its drawbacks. Each description also features a small map showing nearby cities and approaches by highway. The resorts and sites described encompass the globe, and are categorized by home country. Described in France are Val d'Is¨re et Tignes, Courchevel et les Trois Vall©es, la Grave et les Deux Alpes, and others. Included among Austrian resorts are St. Anton-am-Arlberg, KitzbŸhel, and Ischgl. For Switzerland, the book covers Zermatt, Berbier, St. Moritz, and others, and for Germany, Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Still other resorts include Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo and Selva e Val Gardena, Scandinavia's …re and Riksgr¤nsen and Narvik, Canada's Whistler and Blackcomb, Lake Louise and Banff, and Fernieand for the U.S., Aspen, Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe, Vail, Telluride, and others. Literally the whole world is covered, including resorts in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Described for the extra-adventurous advanced skier are several remote ''helidrop'' areas that are not resorts, but which feature wonderful slopes. Among them are Manali in the Himalayas and Valdez in Alaska. Hundreds of beautiful full-color photos help make this handsome book a reliable ski vacationer's guide and an armchair traveler's dream book.