Time to Ski the World.(International Edition; WINTER TRAVEL SPECIAL)(winter vacations )(List)

Byline: Eric Pape

With the global economy sinking along with the temperatures, there's a stronger desire than ever for escape. NEWSWEEK's Winter Travel report finds that the greatest treasures are sometimes located where tourists least expect them.

Winter vacations somehow seem more urgent than summer ones, coming as they do with the holidays to rescue us from the drudgery of work, school, darkness and cold. They fall into two basic categories: beach getaways or winter adventures, both of which serve to warm us up and bring us closer to the sun. Whether they involve splashing in the surf or schussing down a slope, investigating ancient ruins or visiting modern museums, these breaks offer relaxation, renewal and revelation just when we need it the most.

Of all winter holidaymakers, few go to greater lengths to experience the rush of discovery than extreme skiers. They might battle treacherous mountain passes to be the first to ski the 4,300-meter Mount Phangram in northern Myanmar. Or, hearing of heavy snow atop a Hawaiian volcano, they hitch a ride up with scientists just so they can slide down. Or maybe they travel thousands of miles to Bolivia's 5,395-meter Chacaltaya mountain, or Tanzania's Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters), to ride snow that is increasingly patchy. But even as bottom snow levels creep up mountains, plenty of remote and unexpected ski spots remain available to skiers in search of the slope less traveled.

Morocco: Getting Up the Mountain

Oukaimeden is North Africa's largest ski station, home to the continent's highest lift. It may be just 74km from temperate Marrakech, but it is perched in the Atlas Mountains where peaks rise to 4,166 meters. Intrepid skiers can admire the meandering rock-laden mountain range while tackling the 20 kilometers of ski runs. Despite plans to complete a massive overhaul of Oukaimeden village, it is recommended that skiers bring their own food. On the plus side, if the lifts don't get you where you want to ski, it is possible to hire a transport donkey. (Skiing from mid-January through mid-February.)

Lebanon: Escape the Strife