Paoli Peaks

Even though its vertical drop is only 300ft (the top of the hill is only 900ft above sea level) Paoli Peaks – 130km (80 miles) from Indianapolis – is a shining example of the many 'resorts' scattered in America's central and southern states which somehow make enough snow to operate ski lifts. Unlike some of their rivals, the owners work really hard to produce snow of the highest quality. As improbable as it may seem in southern Indiana, which gets less than 50cm of natural snow a year, local skiers flock to the area and really enjoy themselves. Eight lifts serve 10.5km of trails, which are spread across 60 acres of tree-lined slopes, all with snow-making