South America – what would you do?

**paedde** · 05-08-2006, 03:02 AM

Let’s assume you have 3 weeks starting mid August.

I’m generally bored at a resort after 2 to 3 days. If it is a small resort even after a day.

Rental Car and/or max one domestic flight between resorts

Challenging steep stuff rather then intermediate boring groomers

Off piste / Powder as much as possible

Occasional hiking up to 30min ok

Hate crowds / long lift lines

Thanks for your help!

**Meathelmet** · 05-08-2006, 03:29 AM

Fan Paedde, you really are living a live of a rockstar...

I personally only have experience of LL. Terrain wise i´d say it is a heaven on earth.Really.Best ever. And if,sorry...when i go there again, i´ll be longer there. Just because the resort is so weather and lift (marte) dependant.
But, if i would have to go to SA now, i would make something different.

One option would be to go to chile,and ski there. For what i´ve heard,there are more resorts to choose from located around a compact area (around santiago). Checking out the weather and driving there,staying couple nights and then hitting the next resort.

I mean, in argentina you have LL,Bariloche and something in the ushuaia area,but the transfers between the areas would be loooo-ong. A minimum of one day in the bus.

The other option would be to go to ushuaia. Theres some really nice looking resort,wich name i just can remember...could it be cerro cathedral or something.Cant even remember if it is in chile or argentinan side...
But,anyway, going there, skiing in resort when it is new snow, then hitting the backcountry there, wich,btw, looks mindblowing.
And it would be a cool place to visit,even if you are not skiing every day.

Bariloche could be a another place.Decent skiing (apparently), a real city nearby and good touring possibilities. And going in/out from that place could be easier since it is a real town, not a shithole-in-desert like LL.

Edit

ang, re-read your post and realized you might not be that much into the über backcountry romping and sleeping in Yurts things..

So,portillo or bariloche might be nice?

**Mike Pow** · 05-08-2006, 04:07 AM

This will be my fifth trip down to S America, the earliest arrival being 21 August and the latest departure 04 October.

With the exception of the first trip down to Portillo, Chile between 28 September and 04 October 2002 when I had perfect spring conditions, I've never failed to get a combination of mid-winter powder, sunshine and spring conditions.

I don't anticipate any difference this summer.

In fact during last summer's trip we were denied a couple of days because of too much snow.

I use the Santiago, Chile gateway because it's much easier and closer to more resorts than flying into Buenos Aries, Argentina and then having to get an internal flight to somewhere like Mendoza, Malargue or Bariloche.

Here's a list of the resorts, big and very small, in Argentina and Chile.

I've grouped them into three geographical regions:

Northern, Central, Southern

Been trying to find a map online with all the resorts marked. If anyone has one then please pass it around.

NORTHERN RESORTS (north to south, west to east)

Gateway - Santiago, Chile with possible internal flights to Mendoza, Argentina

Ski Arpa - Snowcat, Chile
http://www.skiarpa.com/

Portillo, Chile
http://www.skiportillo.com/home-eng.html

El Colorado, Chile
http://www.elcolorado.cl/centro_ski/index.htm

La Parva, Chile
http://www.skilaparva.cl/

Valle Nevado, Chile
http://www.vallenevado.com/eng_index.html

Chapa Verde, Chile
http://www.chapaverde.cl/Ing.ubicacion.htm

Penitentes, Argentina
http://www.penitentes.com/
http://www.interpatagonia.com/penitentes/index_i.html

Las Lenas, Argentina
http://www.laslenas.com/ingles/

Total of 8 resorts

CENTRAL RESORTS (north to south, west to east)

Gateway - Puerto Montt, Chile

Lagunillas, Chile
http://www.skilagunillas.cl/

Termas de Chillan, Chile
http://www.termaschillan.cl/web/

Antuco, Chile
http://www.gochile.cl/eng/Guide/Chil...uco/Antuco.asp

Corralco, Chile
http://www.corralco.com/mos/index.ph...id=1〈=EN

Las Araucarias, Chile
http://www.skiaraucarias.cl/

Volcan Llaima, Chile
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...a/index_i.html

Pucon, Chile
http://www.skipucon.cl/
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...2/index_i.html

Antillanca, Chile
http://www.skiantillanca.com/

Volcan Orsono, Chile
http://www.volcanosorno.com/inicio.html
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...2/index_i.html

Caviahue, Argentina
http://www.caviahue.com/

Batea Mahuida, Argentina
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...s/index_i.html

Primeros Pinos Snowpark, Argentina
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...p/index_i.html

Chapelco, Argentina
http://www.cerrochapelco.com/english/homefr_2005.htm

Volcan Lanin, Argentina
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...a/index_i.html

Cerro Bayo, Argentina
http://www.cerrobayoweb.com/

Catedral / Bariloche, Argentina
http://www.catedralaltapatagonia.com.../en/index.html

Perito Moreno, Argentina
http://www.travelsur.net/ski/PeritoMoreno.htm

La Hoya, Argentina
http://www.interpatagonia.com/lahoya/index_i.html

Total of 16 resorts

SOUTHERN RESORTS (north to south, west to east)

El Fraile, Chile
http://www.gochile.cl/eng/Guide/Chil...-El-Fraile.asp
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...2/index_i.html

Cerro Mirador, Chile
http://www.gochile.cl/eng/Guide/Chil...ro-Mirador.asp
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...i/index_i.html

Vadelen, Argentina
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...n/index_i.html

Cerro Castor, Argentina
http://www.cerrocastor.com/2005/index.php

Glaciar Martial, Argentina
http://www.interpatagonia.com/paseos...ial/index.html

Total of 5 resorts

Of the above resorts I've skied at eight:

Portillo - 2002, 2003
Las Lenas - 2003

Termas de Chillan - 2003, 2005
Antillanca - 2005
Caviahue - 2004, 2005
Chapelco - 2004, 2005
Cerro Bayo - 2005
La Hoya - 2005

And visited , but did not ski there because there was too much snow / visibility was non-existent / closed:

Antuco - 2005
Corralco - 2005
Volcan Orsono - 2005
Perito Moreno - 2005

My plan is to try to hit as many of these resorts as I can during my 6-week window of opportunity this summer. Being very optimistic 2 weeks for each region!!

This obviousy depends on snow conditions. Last season was epic and everything was good to go. Who knows what this season will bring, especially to the lower elevation resorts.

Hope that helps. If you want more info then either ask it here or PM me.

**skiing-in-jackson** · 05-08-2006, 07:28 AM

MIKE_POW> Great post. Super info! Thanks.

**paedde** · 05-08-2006, 01:06 PM

Thanks a lot guys

Mike Pow: Great help – saves me a lot of time!

**sculhane** · 05-11-2006, 06:19 PM

Anyone knows how long the drive would be from Santiago to LL?

Is it crazy mountain passes likely to be closed or easy driving?

Mike Pow, thanks for the great post...

Steve

**cj001f** · 05-11-2006, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by sculhane

Is it crazy mountain passes likely to be closed

yes. or at least it will if the snows good. for a few extra $ you can get a flight to Mendoza, not pay the $100 chilean reciprocity fee if you have a US passport, and catch a bus/landrover/what have you to las lenas. In town, hell everywhere, cabs are dirt cheap. Outside town, if you've heard of it, there's a bus going there. Oh, and you get to have lomo, malbec y papas fritas in Mendoza.

**enlosandes** · 05-11-2006, 06:35 PM

Plus, the flight between Mendoza and Santiago is among the best in the world. Flying over mighty Anconcagua at 22,000+ feet and looking down is amazing.
Also, if you rent a car, you have to get special insurance for being in another country!

**squeakygonzalez** · 05-26-2006, 08:00 PM

While nowhere near as steep as LL, one good place to go is to use Bariloche
as a base. From there you can hit all close by La Hoya, Cerro Bayo, Chapelco, and Caviahue (through Neuquen) 6 hours away. The cool thing
heretoo is you can do this cool boat trip over to Chile from Bariloche to hit
Chilean resorts Pucon, Corralco and another one right there.

While a lot of these places are nto as steep and crazy as LL it is
actually better prices, ambience, easier going, and the chairs are
always open.

Definitely lower elevation but when it rains go to La Hoya.

**marknieto** · 05-26-2007, 08:57 PM

What would Las Lenas be like if Marte wasn't running? I'm planning a one week trip and don't want to get stuck skiing ant hills.

**Mike Pow** · 05-26-2007, 10:24 PM

Decidedly average unless you're prepared to hike.

**rideit** · 05-26-2007, 10:31 PM

Just stay away from that shitball excuse for Pisco that the Chileans pass off as drinkable!

**soul_skier** · 05-26-2007, 10:32 PM

if you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living that allows you to run around the US skiing for a large chunk of the winter and gives you 3 weeks during the prime SA skiing season, and while I have your attention, do you want/need an apprentice

**801 jav** · 05-28-2007, 02:27 PM

Great post Mike!! Good info source for links.

... Choice between going to Portillo or Termas (snow not being a factor)? Best varied terrain?

**samthaman** · 05-28-2007, 03:22 PM

anyone work down there? i'm looking into it for next summer, followed by a study abroad semester next sumer? anyone do anything similar.

**elchupanebre4** · 05-28-2007, 03:56 PM

It's been said, but Mike's post is freaking awesome. This thread is now bookmarked for future referance. Thanks man.

**marknieto** · 05-28-2007, 06:23 PM

Portillo vs. Las Lenas? Which would you do?
Portillo vs. Las Lenas and Marte chair is closed? What would you do?
I have one week in late August.
Let me know your guys' opinion.

**Mike Pow** · 05-28-2007, 06:23 PM

Thanks guys. If you need more info, ask away and I'll try to answer.

801 jav
Termas de Chillan every time.

marknieto
If you can, book the flight to Santiago and then leave your decision to the last minute. If the conditions are right head to Las Lenas. If not, then you've got Valle Nevado approx 1.5 hrs from Santiago, Portillo approx. 2.5 hrs and Termas de Chillan approx 5 hrs.

**marknieto** · 05-28-2007, 06:52 PM

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Mike Pow

This will be my fifth trip down to S America, the earliest arrival being 21 August and the latest departure 04 October.

Mikepow - did you choose these dates b/c the snow quality may be best at this time?
I'm trying to figure out what S. America's equivalent to N. America's February might be.

**Mike Pow** · 05-28-2007, 08:23 PM

Yep.

IMHO 20 August through to 20 September is the best timeframe for:

1) coverage
2) periods of clear, sunny weather for views and road travel
3) storm cycles, including the fabled Santa Rosa, for pow
4) low skier/snowboarder traffic - after most of the S American holidays

**beaterdit** · 05-28-2007, 08:40 PM

How far is it from Mendoza to Malargue?
Malargue to LL?
I'm thinking fly to Mendoza, then catch a bus/Land Rover/Whatever.
I gather staying in Malargue is way cheaper, but (I think) about an hour from the mountain?
I don't have tickets yet, and they're going up fast, but I'm strongly leaning toward pulling the trigger. Should have planned this sooner.
Would definately be interested in going in on a condo slopeside or something close.

My window is Aug 25-Sept 10ish.

**Mike Pow** · 05-28-2007, 08:49 PM

Mendoza to Las Lenas by bus is pretty much a day's travel.

Think we left Mendoza around 7am and got to Las Lenas around 3pm.

Stay up at Las Lenas.

**smitchell333** · 05-28-2007, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by rideit

Just stay away from that shitball excuse for Pisco that the Chileans pass off as drinkable!

Pahhh

Peruvian Pisco = Foul firewater

Thats why they are so active in trying to claim "Pisco" as Peruvian - cause they cant produce a product that can compete in the open market head to head with Chilean Piscos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisco

My high level recommended itin:
1) Fly into Santiago - Colorado/Valle Nevado
2) Drive Chillan
3) Drive back to Santiago and fly to Mendoza - Las Lenas
4) Fly to Santiago and back on return flight

If you've got more time than 2 weeks than I'd recommend a longer leg in Chile and possibly southern Arg with Portillo, Lonquimay, Villarica, Antillanca, Bariloche area as a long road trip.

**duffy** · 06-29-2010, 09:46 AM

so which ones would you recommend that you have been to? and what region? is it hard to get around? do you just take buses?

i'm going this summer but i feel clueless!

**cloud cult** · 06-29-2010, 10:07 AM

There's a good loop you can do; I did something similar to this in 2008, though I had more time and did it in the reverse order.

One thing to keep in mind is when traveling by bus the pass between Mendoza and Santiago can and does close frequently and for days at a time, and once it opens it's a miles-long jam of heavy trucks waiting to make it over.

Starting in Santiago you can day ski Parva, Colorado and Valle Nevado, then head north to Portillo. Ski shops in Santiago have shuttles to all these resorts daily. Cross over to Mendoza and ski Penitentes; again ski shops in Mendoza run shuttles to the area. Down to Las Lenas, then down to Bariloche -- a long ride. Ski Bariloche -- public busses go there -- then make the short hop to Angostura for Cerro Bayo, which you can get to using public busses, then north again to San Martin to ski Chapelco; travel agents run shuttles. Cross over into Chile and ski Pucon and climb the volcano if the weather is good, north to Chillan, a great underrated area, and then it's a simple ride to Santiago. You can ski Chapa Verde along the way, but it's not that great IMO.

Going this way you can take public busses the entire route. Busses are very nice and many serve full meals.