Now that we're pretty much in mid-spring and heading toward the dog days of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, you can be sure the weather is cooling and snow is in the air down below the equator. Where there is snow, there's skiing to some extent, and the developed ski areas of South America offer what some people consider some of the best snow and terrain in the world. The ski resorts of Argentina and Chile are all above the treeline, and offer great skiing and good value for anyone who wants the experience of skiing in a foreign country.

Aside from the fact that the dollar has not depressed as badly as in Europe, a South America ski vacation makes for a great family vacation, introducing children into a very different culture and language. Being able to pick any week in the summer, rather than being locked into winter vacations and having to figure around school, makes for much more flexible and relaxed planning.

New Zealand and Australia are also going into their winter season and each has a variety of resorts. While the culture is much closer to the U.S and the Australian resorts more like Eastern ski areas, New Zealand offers above treeline and even heliskiing. However, these two countries are a long way to travel and the dollar has not held a value as solidly as in south America but there is a definitely and opportunity for adventure down under.

I'll offer a more in-depth look at the Southern Hemispere ski countries as spring unfolds, but a trip to any of these summer ski destinations will require a passport. So, if anyone in the family needs one now is the time to apply. You will also need a passport for future travel into Canada, so obtaining one now will cover all north and south traveling.

South Hemisphere Skiing

• Argentina Ski Resorts
• Australia Ski Resorts
• Chile Ski Resorts
• New Zealand Ski Resorts