Far from snowy peaks, you can ski and snowboard any time of year in, of all places, a shopping mall in Dubai. If you care two wits about the environment, though, "the amount of energy this climate-defying folly consumes" will likely keep you away. If you live near real ski country, of course, you know that hardcore downhill enthusiasts will stretch the season until May or so, wishing they could do it all year.

Luckily for everyone, there's a contraption called the Endless Slope, which is sort of like a wide, softly carpeted treadmill designed for skiing and snowboarding. If you're not the type to visit ultra-rich tourist hotspots, two schools in California will have you swooshing downhill in the great indoors, year-round, and with much less environmental impact than a snowmaking hangar in the desert. SnoZone in Sacramento and Endless Slope on San Francisco's Pier 38 offer the goods and the lessons ($75/half-hour, with package discounts), whether you're new to either sport or more experienced.

The best part about learning on an Endless Slope machine is that falls are fewer, since you can grab onto a bar. This is especially huge for aspiring snowboarders-unlike skiing, where newcomers see progress quickly, most regular boarders warn that newbies should be prepared to eat snow, and lots of it, for at least the first three times out. Many bruised limbs and egos later, you find your groove and stop falling. In contrast, Endless Slope and SnoZone promise you'll be intermediate level the first time you hit real powder.

If you need inspiration, check out the smooth moves (and rockin' power-chord soundtrack) in this snowboard demonstration video. Then call ahead for times, as hours change throughout the year.

Photo: EndlessSlope.com