By Heather Burke

The Quebecois embrace winter — they celebrate the snow, cold, and ice with the world's largest Winter Carnival (Feb. 1-17). On your drive to Quebec's skiing (6½ hours from Boston if you drive like I ski), stay a night or two in Quebec City. This 400-plus year-old city sparkles with holiday lights, ice palaces, even winter parades. Cozy restaurants serve French cuisine in the fortified city, a short walk along snowy gaslight streets from the chic Hotel Le Germain Dominion, and a half hour drive to the ski slopes.