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Escape the heat this Summer and hit the slopes.

If you didn't get enough of the white stuff in Australia this winter, Mark Poole, Founder of ski adventure tour company Seven Descents, says that there are some amazing destinations to check out over the Aussie summer holidays to help you get a break from the sweltering sun.

His dream list of off-piste or adventure ski trips would definitely include...

Powder Highway, Canada.
Nestled in Canada's Kootenay Rockies, this is the classic Canadian Ski road trip. At every turn, you discover more resorts, backcountry lodges, helicopter and snowcat operators, and more ski touring opportunities than in any other region in the world!

Gulmarg, India
Situated at 2,700m in the Kashmir Region of Northern India, this is the new frontier of big mountain, big powder skiing. Ascending to nearly 4,000m it is one of the highest lift accessed skiing areas in the world and boasts near limitless powder with an exotic Himalayan backdrop.

Alaska, USA
Massive mountains and unique snow conditions make this a Mecca for adventure loving skiers and boarders. Due to combined influences of warm Pacific Ocean air mixing with cold Arctic air, Alaska has deep and relatively stable snowpack that offers deep powder skiing on insanely steep terrain.

Whistler, Canada
This is the Hollywood of free skiing. This place has it all; big snowfalls, massive terrain, backcountry opportunities, scenic beauty combined with a pumping nightlife, great restaurants, and shopping.

Haute Route, France and Switzerland
This one is for the traditionalists out there that prefer to earn their skiing rather than taking a lift, snowcat or helicopter. This classic hut to hut ski tour offers great skiing and spectacular scenery as one ascends past Mt. Blanc in Chamonix then descents past the Matterhorn to Zermatt 6 days later.

Chilean High Andes
All within 2.5hrs of Santiago are the amazing resorts of Portillo, La Parva, and El Colorado. On top of this add South America's only snowcat skiing operation (Ski Arpa) and endless backcountry opportunities.

Hokkaido, Japan
What it lacks in steep terrain it makes up for in quantities of snow. A favourite for Aussies for good reason. Interesting ski touring possibilities also make it possible to get off the beaten track from some of the popular resorts.

La Grave, France
Less famous than Chamonix but the real home of off-piste ski extremists in France. With over 2,100m of vertical, 1 groomed run, limited lifts, and wild terrain, this place is not for the faint hearted.

Canterbury, New Zealand
Amazing uncrowded club ski fields and a one of a kind heli ski operation make this an adventurer's playground. Offers fantastic terrain, snow conditions, uncrowded slopes and rustic amenities that should be a breath of fresh air from the queues and commercialisation on offer at most ski hills.

Kackar Range, Turkey
Off the Black Sea this area has recently opened up with a new heli skiing operation. Abundant snow, good snow pack and unspoilt surrounds make this an interesting and exotic option for the hard core ski adventurer!

NOTE: Due to avalanche safety and unfamiliar terrain we recommend that most of these destinations be visited with a professional guide experienced in the region, or skied with a reputable heli ski / snow cat operator

Mark Poole is a passionate ex ski racer from Canada. He is now based in Sydney and can't wait for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere ski season to start.

For more on ski destinations, or to check out other group guided or self guided exotic locations recommended by Mark, visit www.sevendescents.com.au

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