There are over five million skiers in the US alone, so when summer arrives and the snow vanishes, where do all the skiers go? Do we have to throw the skis and poles in the basement? Is summer skiing a myth? Or are there any alternatives for the hardcore enthusiast who wants to ski all year round? Thankfully, there are some options, but you might have to venture a little further afield to find them.

Summer in the northern hemisphere means it's winter in the southern hemisphere. Just as our northern hemisphere ski season ends, theirs begins, providing a great opportunity to combine a love for the sport with a cultural getaway.

South America, Chile and Argentina offer some of the best skiing worldwide from mid-June until October. Due to their remoteness,the resorts of Las Lenas and Los Penitentes in the Mendoza Province of Argentina offer quality uncrowded skiing, while Cerro Catedral near the city of Bariloche in the Rio Negro Province is the country's best-known and most popular resort.

Chile is separated from Argentina by the Andean Cordillera, which marks the border between the two countries and is home to many large and varied ski resorts. A two-hour drive from the capital Santiago is Portillo, popular with off-piste skiers and known for its relaxed atmosphere and backcountry terrain. Chapa Verde - with its modern facilities and ski schools is a popular family resort, while Termas de Chilian is home to Chile's longest ski slope.

For the more adventurous traveler the lofty resort of Chacaitaya in Bolivia - sitting in the Andes at 5, 200 meters - operates from November to April - a long season due to the weather conditions at this extreme altitude.

South America isn't the only winter option though. European resorts in Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy offer glacial skiing through the summer, but perhaps your best bet is New Zealand, which due to its high latitude, mountainous terrain and sturdy economy has become a major skiing destination of the Southern Hemisphere.

Most of New Zealand's ski resorts are on its South Island, although there are also several on the North, and between them they offer everything a skier could want. With many major commercial resorts, smaller club ski fields and specialist backcountry areas like Mount Potts and Invincible Snowfields - where thrill-seekers can try heliskiing and snowcat skiing - New Zealand is fast earning a reputation as the new 'place to be' for the skiing enthusiast.

Flying long distance need not mean the hassle of transporting all your gear, as most resorts these days offer equipment for hire. All you have to do is book and turn up! Another advantage of skiing abroad in summer is that flights are often cheaper at that time of year, and with countries like Argentina and Chile being significantly cheaper than back home you can enjoy a relaxing, or energetic, holiday without breaking the bank.

Whether you choose to go south to Latin America, east to Europe, or west to New Zealand, summer skiing offers the chance to travel, keep fit, experience something new and enjoy the snow of a foreign land when all at home has melted.