Now that 2010 has officially begun and we’re past the holiday shopping and parties, it’s time to enjoy the winter weather and get away on the perfect ski and snow vacation. Both the US and our neighbour to the north, Canada, offer outstanding getaways that include breathtaking views, adrenaline packed excitement and, if you want it, extreme relaxation.

Pack up your skis, bring along your snow gear and get ready for the perfect vacation to kick off the New Year. Here are the top 6 getaways in the US and Canada, catering to families, couples and action seekers:

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Offering the best skiing in North America, this charming and famous resort offers a village filled with everything a winter getaway needs to make it perfect: over 100 outstanding restaurants, international stores, world class entertainment, and towering mountains with the biggest vertical drop.

Where to stay: Summit Lodge and Spa, Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Pinnacle Hotel,

Aspen, Colorado

This is the place to be if you are looking to star gaze at the same time as ski. Many stars enjoy coming to this well known upscale tourist resort. With five mountains and terrain suited for skiers of all levels, as well as world class restaurants and first rate spas, there is something here for everyone.

Where to stay: Aspen Meadows Resort, Aspen Mountain Lodge, Inn at Aspen, Sky Hotel

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Nominated Quebec’s #1 ski resort and the first resort to open in Canada, you’ll find yourself immersed in a quaint hill side village when you visit Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. Whether you’re looking to ski, snowboard, go dog sledding or take in a winter hike, the views here are magnificent and the action is never ending. Plus, this resort is only an hour away from Canada’s fashion center, Montreal.

Where to stay: Chateau Beauvallon, Fairmont Tremblant, Homewood Suites

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe offers something for everyone, including fine dining, entertainment, ski and snowboarding, shopping and a relaxing atmosphere. With picturesque views and traditional New England charm, you’ll be entranced the minute you step foot in this pretty town.

Where to stay: Stowe Mountain Lodge, Inn at the Mountain

Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta

Located in Canada’s Banff National Park, Lake Louise is a picturesque getaway and quite possibly the most scenic mountain resort in North America. With three different ski areas (Mount Norquay/Mystic Ridge, Sunshine Village and Lake Louis), the selection is endless for skiers and snowboarders. This area is also great for hikers and amazing for spa dwellers and couples who come here to just relax.

Where to stay: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Banff Aspen Lodge

Vail, Colorado

This is the largest single ski area in the US, offering approximately 5300 acres of skiable terrain. Offering more than skiing however, Vail boasts outstanding art galleries, museums, dog sledding snowmobiling and more.

Where to stay: Vail Marriott Mountain Ski Resort, Lion Square Lodge

It’s a New Year and if you’re like many other Americans, you have thought long and hard about your New Year’s resolutions. Many of us vow to live a healthier lifestyle by getting into shape and going on a diet, but have you thought of doing the same for your home?

If 2009 taught us anything, it was to live more economically and that includes saving money where we can, especially when it comes to our home. So why not resolve to not only live a healthier physical lifestyle but a healthier home lifestyle by putting your home on an energy diet?

Here are five top ways to improve your home and start off 2010 on the right foot!

Install a programmable thermostat – you will easily cut energy costs when you install a programmable thermostat. You will have the ability to set a schedule that automatically changes the temperature of your home during different times of the day. The heat will automatically go down when you’re not home or sleeping and rise when you are there. This will result in significant savings, cutting heating and cooling costs by 5 to 20 percent!

Change your windows – Your windows may be costing you money. In the winter they may be allowing cold air from the outside in, increasing your heating bills. In the summer they may be allowing the heat in, increasing your air conditioning costs. If you have older, single paned windows, it would be wise to switch to new energy-efficient ones. Windows with double panes or even triple panes keep out the drafts and save you $25-$50 a month of energy costs.

Seal your windows and doors – If you feel your windows and doors still have a few years left in them, yet allow drafts to come in, consider caulking and sealing all windows and doors where air leaks may be present.

Replace your furnace filters – Replace the furnace air filters every 60 days for a more efficient furnace and to improve you and your family’s air in the home.

A 30 percent tax credit – When you purchase energy efficient products or systems for your home, you can receive a tax credit up to $1500. This tax credit program expires December 31, 2010 so you have a full year to take advantage! Details on qualifying products, including insulation and sealing products, highly efficient furnaces, heat pumps, and windows, are available at www.ase.org/taxcredits.

The peak buying months could be just around the corner with help from the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit.

If you’re thinking about selling your home in 2010, you might want to push your planning into high gear.

Even though the peak buying months have been in summer for the past decade, according to Forbes that trend could get pushed up by a season or two because of the newly extended $8,000 homebuyer tax credit, which requires buyers to make an offer on a home by April 30 and close by June 30th to participate. From Forbes:

"The beginning of the year is going to be make-it-or-break-it," says (Trulia.com spokesman Ken) Shuman. "If you’re a seller, get your property listed as early in the year as you can."

Obviously, that’s not going to work out for everybody. One reason the strongest sale months are in summer is because it’s easier on families with children in school, not to mention that weather plays a big role in how a move turns out.

But for those of you who are a little more flexible with your sell date, Forbes urges you to get your home ready as soon as possible for buyers who are forced to speed up their decisions to take advantage of the tax credit:

"This year, we’re anticipating sales will peak earlier," says Nicole Hall, editor-in-chief of Lendingtree.com, an online mortgage comparison service. "The best time to get your house on the market will be February or early March, and maybe even earlier if you want to avoid competition."

No, the weather most likely won’t be working in your favor, especially if you’re unable to showcase your normally superb landscape when it’s covered in a layer of snow. But the article notes that there still are ways to show off your home and yard, including sprucing up holiday decorations and keeping your sidewalks clear of snow and other debris.

Pay close attention to what your local market is doing, too. Hall urges sellers to read local real-estate blogs, while keeping an eye not only on price fluctuations, but also on the unemployment rate.

And before you get in a panic, just remember, as Forbes points out, "Nothing about the last few years in real estate has been traditional."

Posted by Mai Ling at MSN Real Estate on Monday, December 28, 2009 12:25 PM