So-so snow reports in January might motivate a skier to answer the call of the wild with the family pooch to have a go at skijoring in Alaska. The Anchorage-based North American Skijoring and Ski Pulk Association maintains 13 miles of trails where a cross-country skier uses his dog as a draft animal. The association derives its name from the Norwegian words skijor (ski-driving) and pulk (a small sled pulled by a dog). NASSPA explains that the skier, like a jockey, does everything to unburden the dog, which pulls instinctively. Races and events are held throughout the winter.

NASSPA tours include an overnight in a remote cabin to watch the Iditarod trail sled dog race in progress. Planners hope to see record entry of 90 husky teams this year. The 29^th annual race initiates from Anchorage on March,If you plan to be in Anchorage around that time, consult What You Should Know for information on accommodations, rentals and sightseeing.

Sled dog races will be featured at the famous Fur Rendezvous Winter Carnival on Feb. 11-20 in Anchorage. The folks in the GoSki Alaska chat room have some nice things to say about the North Face of Alyeska Resort, located 40 miles south of Anchorage. Snowboarders are welcome at the resort, which reported a total 40-inch snow depth in January. The Anchorage Alaska Convention and Visitors Bureau posts ski reports.

An article by Meg Lukens Noonan called 25 Great North American Ski Resorts, which has links to Winter Fun and Games opportunities for dog sledding, snowboarding, tubing and other alternative recreations is a good place to start when thinking of winter adventure.

Zermatt in Switzerland is considered by some as the final word in ski resorts. The resort guarantees snow and there's even skiing in summer via a 3,280-foot vertical on the glacier. The glacier route's lift also has to the Cervina and Valtournenche resorts in Italy.

• Ski-Zermatt.com's picture gallery showcases the postcard-pretty resort area.
• Go Zermatt keeps track of the trendy discos and restaurants, and
• The Topin webcam shows live scenes from the mountain.

About Zermatt depicts the mountain village and recalls the triumphs and tragedies of the first Mattherhorn climbers in the 19^th century. While your at is you can see live village scenes.

Previews worldwide mountain resorts, where ski packages are sometimes surprisingly affordable can be found at GoSki the World. GoSki resort editor Patrick Thorne's top 20 lists reveal some interesting data about some of these resorts. Bolivia's Chacaltaya in the Andes boasts the highest, and closest to the equator, lift height (17,785-feet). The gondola that accesses China's intimidating Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (14,818 feet) ranks second (don't miss the gorgeous Jade Dragon scenery). Merida, Venezuela (13,779 feet); Gulmarg, India, (13,576 feet); Tochal, Iran, (13,008 feet); and Zermatt (12,792 feet) follow. The Colorado Rockies, where snowfall benefits from high altitude, claim eight of the top 20 spots, led by Loveland in Colorado; 12,700 feet (No. 7).

In size based on total length of ski runs, France's Les Trois Vallees lift-linked ski area, which could fit Vail, Aspen, Steamboat and Breckenridge in its pocket, and Espace Olympique Savoie Pass (932 trail miles) ski pass region each dominate in their categories.

Austria (600) has the most ski centers, followed by Germany, the U.S. and Japan (each with more than 500); Sweden (400); France, Switzerland; Italy and the Slovak Republic (300).

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