A halo of frost hovers in the sun-splashed air over an egg carton of a mogul run. Boundless corduroy groomers are freckled with crimson-faced snowriders. What makes skiing so extraordinary is where it happens-in the mountains, in the winter. Carve out one week of your busy schedule, or capitalize on a company- and school-sanction vacation at any of these top-shelf resorts can make a year of grinding it out on the job all worth while. Just be sure to pack your parka and plenty of layers-and an affection for hot chocolate, fireplaces, and hot toddies.