Venezuela

When you think of the Andes, you tend to think of the great 6,000-plus metre monoliths of Chile and Argentina. However, the range extends right up through South America into Peru and Venezuela making it possible to ski or snowboard in the north between November and June, despite the tropical climate.

The scenery in Venezuela is sublime. The peaks up this part of the continent can still eclipse pretty much anything in Europe (Venezuela's highest mountain is Bolivar Peak, at 5,007 metres). Venezuela is also home to the continent's largest lake, as well as its largest snake, and the world's highest waterfall. So it's a case of when, not if, you run out of film or camera batteries.

There's only really one ski resort in Venezuela, in Mérida, in the Sierra Nevada national park (not to be confused with the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain). But you won't be disappointed.

In line with all of Venezuela's aforementioned superlatives, Mérida has the world's highest and longest cable car ride, taking you from the Barinitas station at 1,577 metres (5,173 feet) to Pico Espejo (Mirror Peak) at 4,765 metres (15,633 feet). That's roughly the equivalent of standing on the summit of Mont Blanc, which means not only can you get high up into the snow line, but you get blinding views en route.

The skiing and snowboarding in Venezuela itself is not really suited to beginners. But if you like it extreme (and slightly thin on oxygen) you should be in your element.

Cost

Mérida is a university town, and the nightlife is ... well, lively, to say the least. Beers start at around 25 cents (US) a bottle, and there's a good range of cheap accommodation, starting from around US$5 a night.

Getting here

Flying into Caracas-Maiquetia International Airport is your best route in. From there you're looking at an hour and a half's internal flight to Mérida's Alberto Carnevalli Airport but, mercifully, just a five minute bus ride into downtown Mérida from there.