Solo South America

[Jim.]

Hey,

So I am thinking about what to do this summer, I have my instructing job back in NZ, but I have already done a few seasons there and fancy a change, I have also been very spoilt during this season in Japan (lots of powder lessons) and so don't really want to go back to teaching beginners in the rain!

The obvious solution is to go to South America, I looked into getting jobs, and it seems that they unsurprisingly require Spanish skills beyond the 'cervesas por favor' that I currently possess. So now I am thinking about being a bum and travelling around the best resorts the region has to offer. Only problem is that I can't persuade any mates to get involved, so it looks like lots of single supplements and struggling to find good people to ski with. I've travelled a fair bit on my own, but never been on a ski trip solo, so it's kind of putting me off.

So, have any of you hit up SA on your on own? How did you find it? Did it cost much more solo? Easy to find a good crew to shred with?

Cheers in advance, and apologies if this has been asked before, I did search.

[sculhane]

Did it (for only 3 weeks though) in 2006. Mostly solo. Argentina was a lot cheaper than Chile and it probably still is. Value for money was unbelievable and I felt it was totally doable solo.

My only regret is that there wasn't enough time for me to take spanish lessons to be able to carry a decent conversation with the folks down there. While it is very easy to get by, it was frustrating after a while not to be able to really get to know these people. English was not widely spoken in Argentina overall...

This could help: http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59375

Steve

[gaijin]

Don't ever wait for your friends. They'll just hold you back.

Go. Alone.

The worst that could happen is a good story.

[llyon]

If you do a full season in Las Lenas you are bound to find good people to ski with because it is isolated, small town, and high gringo %. Elsewhere it can be more difficult, but certainly not impossible.

[Helldawg]

I know for sure you can stay cheaply in Bariloche. Great town, great mountain, and your money will get you further in Argentina than in Chile.

Only bummer is that the area is not as "snow-sure" as the higher elevation resorts like LL or Portillo. On the plus side, there are other smaller and very cool hills to hit nearby, like Cerro Bayo. Great touring options out of Bariloche too.

Start brushing up on your spanish now, it will come in very handy.

[CaliKid]

I hit up South America on more of a backpacking trip around the whole continent than skiing though I made sure to get some turns in at LL and Valle Nevado.

Definitely doable solo, if you stay in one place for an extended period especially LL you will be able to find a good crew to shred with. LL blows Valle Nevado away with regards to terrain. Also as was mentioned previously it is much cheaper

I stayed in Malargue (1 hr by bus to LL) and it was extremely cheap. The owner of the hostel even hooked up 50% off of tickets at LL. That being said doing that bus trip day in day out for 2 weeks or during a storm would not be fun. There was a film crew staying there from Japan but most others were Argentinians who were advanced at best.

As far as your Spanish good to brush up as you'll always get more out of travelling when able to interact in the native language.

One last note the Chilean women are no match for the Argentines!!

[Loren]

Hey Jim, I'm down in Argentina right now with similar plans as you. My friends and I just finished up a 4 month road trip from Colorado to Tierra del Fuego http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...n+south&page=3, and they have since returned to the US and I have picked up a short term apartment in Buenos Aires. I'm not sure where I'm headed for the winter yet, likely a combination of places in Chile and Argentina. I'll PM you my email address, hit me up if you decide to come down.

Everyone's comments seem right on to me, and the Spanish is especially tough in Chile and Argentina IMHO.

Cheers,
Loren
http://www.100dayweekend.com

[Jim.]

Cheers for the input guys, looks like I will be heading back to NZ though, I've saved a good amount this season, but not quite enough to afford travelling in Japan for the next month, the hol I have planned in Morroco and SA for the summer, I could handle a month or so, but I don't really want to be stuck at home at all. I will def make it down there at some point though.

Thanks again, much appreciated, hope everyone is enjoying some spring turns