Top 10 Skiing Vacations - Latin America/South Pacific

This mix of regions isn't loaded with ski resorts, but a few gems lay hidden where you might not expect. Australia and New Zealand have their fare share of runs, while Chile and Argentina make the homes of Northern Hemisphere ski teams in the off season. Active volcanoes lining the Pacific Rim have a small selection of slopes as well.

1. Portillo, Chile

   Many Northern hemisphere ski teams make the Aconcagua Valley and Portillo their off season base. Several world records in speed have been broken here.

2. Las Leñas, Argentina

   Las Leñas, nearby the wine region of Mendoza, is the most important resort in Argentina and has a variety of good runs, bowls, chutes, gulleys, and astrological themed hotels.

3. Termas de Chillán, Chile

   Termas de Chillán near the town of Concepción offers more than 10,000 hectares of terrain, 11 lifts, and 30 runs, including the longest in South America at 8.1 miles.

4. Valle Nevado, Chile

   Posh resort only 37 miles from the capital of Santiago with 8 lifts and 27 runs as well as heli-skiing.

5. Bariloche, Argentina

   Gran Catedral, on the banks of Lake Nahuel Huapi near Bariloche, is a cosmopolitan resort considered one of the continents best with 32 lifts and 50 runs.

6. Ohakune, New Zealand

   This is the North Island's top ski destination and sits near Tongariro National Park. The resort is home to the highest vertical drop in Australasia, has the largest ski terrain in the country, and the highest lift access terrain.

7. Thredbo, Australia

   More than 80 inches a year fall on this mountain in New South Wales and it also has the largest snow making means in the Southern Hemisphere. It's the best terrain in Australia without question and rivals resorts in neighboring New Zealand.

8. Mount Hutt, New Zealand

   The South Island's best resort, Mount Hutt is mostly open bowls with some tougher terrain via short hikes. Don't miss the views of the beaches and rainforest below.

9. Perisher Blue, Australia

   Nearly $10 million was invested in snowmaking in 2008, leading to its crown as the country's number one ski resort. There are 50 lifts covering the more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain.

10. Osorno, Chile

    Osorno is a perfect conical volcano that towers over the Lakes District town of Puerto Varas. There are just four lifts, but the long runs aren't half bad.