Las Vegas, Nevada

Chill out: Take it from hard-partying skiers worldwide. There's no better hangover cure than zooming downhill, letting gravity and fresh air flush out the toxins. After a late night in Las Vegas, skip the Bloody Mary and head 45 miles northwest to Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort in the Spring Mountains. There are just 11 trails and a modest vertical drop of 860 feet, but you're practically guaranteed a gorgeous day on the slopes: The sun shines more than 300 days per year here. The resort blows snow on nearly the entire mountain to augment 120 annual inches of the natural stuff (January is the snowiest month), so most of the terrain is nicely groomed cruisers—perfect for massaging an ego that's been bruised at the poker tables.

Heat things up: Back in the city, trade your snow pants for a swimsuit and check out the adults-only Liquid Pool Lounge at the Aria Resort & Casino, one of the newest water worlds on the Strip. Unlike some Sin City hot spots, it's not topless, but eight private cabanas (each with a flat-screen TV and a mini fridge) and more than 100 oversize daybeds and chaise longues keep things sizzling. For a slightly more family-friendly vibe, there's Mandalay Bay, home of an 11-acre beach with a wave pool, lazy river, and 2,700 tons of sand. Let's face it: Building sand castles is much more fun than making snow angels.

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort
Highway 156
Mount Charleston, Nevada
Tel: 702 385 2754
Lift tickets, $50

Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Boulevard S.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Tel: 877 632 7800
Rooms from $90

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