Washington state’s Mount Baker (which is also an active volcano) is the snowiest ski area in the lower 48, receiving an average annual snowfall of over 50 feet (663 inches). The snowfall is measured mid-mountain, not only at the peak, making for extremely snowy runs. The ski resort’s record-breaking 1998-1999 season saw 95 feet of fresh powder.

The Engadin St. Moritz region of Switzerland hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and again in 1948. The area is home to five major ski resorts with a combined 220 miles of terrain, the largest of which is called Corviglia. The annual Engadin Ski Marathon is a major draw, but plenty of other winter activities — from horse racing and snow cricket to bobsledding and snowshoeing — also bring tourists to the region.

Howelsen Hill is a small ski area in downtown Steamboat Springs, nestled in the Rocky Mountains. This historic site is the home of Colorado’s oldest continuously operated ski area. It was founded over a century ago in 1914 by Norwegian immigrant Carl Howelsen. Today, the ski area is home to the largest natural ski jumping complex in North America, where many Olympians train.

Tucked away in the Tyrolean region of the Alps is the ski village of St. Anton am Arlberg — one of Austria’s top ski destinations. Expert skiers tend to flock here, although all levels are welcome. The traditional village at the base of the mountains features cozy accommodations and après-ski activities.

Known for their jagged peaks, the Dolomites are located in northeastern Italy and are part of the Alps range. This town and ski resort owes its fame to the 1956 Winter Olympics, which allowed it the opportunity to expand and become the world-class skiing destination that it is today. For enthusiasts, the Dolomiti Superski Pass is available for use at the 11 other resorts in the Dolomite region.

According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), New York has 52 ski resorts in operation — more than any other state. The largest of these resorts is Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks. In second place is Michigan (39), followed by Wisconsin (33), Colorado (32), and California (26).

The upscale Lech ski village in Austria is no stranger to European royals. The late Princess Diana skied here so often that the village is set to be recreated in an upcoming season of the Netflix series “The Crown.” Other royalty spotted on the slopes in Lech include Monaco's Princess Caroline of Hanover (Grace Kelly’s daughter) and the Dutch royals, who vacation here every February.

Germany is home to 498 ski areas, the most of any country in Europe. Some of the best resorts in Germany are found in the Bavarian Alps, including Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the largest stand-alone resort in the country. Its village is just as impressive, embodying the classic Bavarian skiing experience for its guests.

ESPN’s extreme sports competition, the X Games, runs annually in the summer and winter. The first winter games were held in 1997 at the Snow Summit Mountain Resort in Big Bear Lake, California. In 2002, the games found a permanent home in Aspen at the resort’s Buttermilk Mountain where they still feature epic skiing and snowboarding competitions to this day.

The Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort in British Columbia is the largest (and one of the busiest) ski resorts in North America, boasting 8,171 skiable acres of fresh powder. Whistler also hosted several events during the 2012 Winter Olympics, thanks to its proximity to Vancouver. Today, some of the resort's Olympic venues are still available for use, such as the tobogganing and ski jumping hills.

Vail’s back bowls are so famous that there is a sign marking “The Legendary Back Bowls” to let skiers know they’re in the right place. Intermediate and advanced skiers typically love these trails because they’re far less crowded than the main slopes. Vail’s seven back bowls — which have 3,017 skiable acres — include the Sun Down Bowl, Sun Up Bowl, Tea Cup Bowl, China Bowl, Siberia Bowl, and Inner and Outer Mongolia Bowls.

Located in northern Japan on the island of Hokkaido is Niseko, Japan’s largest and most famous ski resort. The resort is known for its ample snowfall, accessible backcountry terrain, and variety of runs for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Hokkaido’s Mt Yōtei (which looks a lot like the famous Mt. Fuji) can be seen from Niseko's slopes.

The ski resorts of “The Three Valleys” feature over 372 miles of Alpine slopes spread out over four valleys (it used to be three, hence the name) in southeastern France. There are seven resorts located here, but among the most prestigious is Courchevel. While skiing in the French Alps may sound daunting, slopes suitable for all skill levels are available at these resorts.

Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has the longest continuous vertical rise of any ski area in the United States. From its base at the valley floor, the skiable terrain rises 4,139 feet to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. Thanks to this statistic, it’s often referred to as “The Big One” among ski resorts.

Located near Bariloche in Patagonia’s Lake District, Catedral Alta Patagonia is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. It covers 1,480 acres of ski and snowboard terrain, with 38 chair lifts. The slopes boast impressive views of the nearby Nahuel Huapi National Park, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Andes Mountains.

Located in the French Alps, Chamonix is one of the world’s top skiing destinations. It is also home to the highest peak in Western Europe, Mont Blanc, at 15,771 feet above sea level. The Chamonix valley is home to five distinct ski resorts: Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere, and Le Brevent. The area was also the home of the first Winter Olympics in 1924.

Zermatt, Switzerland, is home to the world’s highest ski resort (over 12,739 feet in elevation) and stunning views of the Matterhorn, one of the Swiss Alps’ best-known mountains. This resort lies at the border of Switzerland and Italy and offers more than 220 miles of slopes. Even better, the slopes are open 365 days a year thanks to the high altitude.

Utah's Park City Mountain Resort was the snowsports venue of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The resort area still features a sliding track, six Nordic ski jumps, and other remnants of the games. Today, Park City is one of the most-visited ski resort towns in the country, as well as one of the largest, with over 155 miles of slopes. The burg is also the site of the influential, annual Sundance Film Festival.

The Mont Tremblant Ski Resort is conveniently located between Montreal and Ottawa in the eastern province of Quebec, Canada. It is popular with both locals and international travelers, who visit for its charming village and fun snow activities, like dog sledding and snowmobile tours. The resort is located on Lake Tremblant, which offers summertime attractions while the slopes are closed.

Colorado is arguably the snowsports capital of the United States and is home to some of the most popular ski resorts in North America. When comparing miles of slopes, Aspen Snowmass comes in on top as the largest ski resort in Colorado, with an impressive 147 miles of marked trails. Vail comes in at a close second, with about 145 miles of slopes.