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SKI ARLBERG, AUSTRIA dagut/Getty Images The birthplace of modern alpine skiing, lift- and trail-connected Ski Arlberg sprawls over two provinces, Tyrol and Vorarlberg, and nine towns.

Anchoring the region is St. Anton, with the most shops, best nightlife and sporting diversity, indoors and out. Lech and Zurs are far quieter and more upscale. Skimeister Hannes Schneider,

who introduced the Arlberg technique to America, and a slew of Olympic medalists have Arlberg roots. Exhibitions at the St. Anton Museum, Huber Hus, Bergstation Flexenbahn and Kästle Museum

share this rich history, as does “The Snow Must Go On,” an outdoor ski spectacular on Wednesday nights. At some point try Kaiserschmarren, a classic Austrian dessert that's like a

fluffy caramelized pancake, at the Hospiz Alm in St. Christoph. WHERE TO STAY: Hannes Schneider's grandson and his wife operate the Schneider Hof in the skimeister's restored

former home in downtown St. Anton. The nephew of the late, two-time Olympian Egon Zimmermann now runs Lech's Hotel Kristberg. The artsy Kristiania Lech delivers a five-star experience

with a rich Olympic heritage. BANFF-LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA, CANADA Most visitors come to the Canadian Rockies in summer, lured by Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site edging both

Kootenay and Yoho national parks. They visit for the abundant wildlife and the legendary hot mineral waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs. Winter visitors can enjoy all that as well at three

alpine resort areas: Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise. There's so much to do: Step into the region's natural history on a guided Johnston Canyon Ice Walk excursion into a narrow

canyon with petroglyphs embedded in the walls. The lower falls are spectacular, but the frozen upper falls are magical. For more on the region's history, visit the Banff Park Museum, a

National Historic Site housing more than 5,000 botanical and zoological specimens; the Whyte Museum; and the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. Of course, don't miss soaking in the views

from the hot springs. WHERE TO STAY: Two iconic hotels, the castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, with the Victoria Glacier and craggy Rocky Mountains as

the backdrop, demand at least a look-see, if not afternoon tea or an overnight stay. Ski buses connect the points. The nearest large airport is in Calgary.