Advice for South America

[Bucky Mullet]

Hey everyone,
Due to a slow season for us this year, my girl and I are wanting to go to South America ~july 4 for a summer ski trip. I was thinking Las Lenas, but that's just cause I don't know shit about skiing in South america. Any thought on where (or when) to go / stay ?
Thanks already.

[Mudfoot]

I believe that July is the big winter break for the SA schools down and the ski areas are generally way more crowded than in August or September. I've been to Portillo and Las Lenas and think LL is a way better mountain, but if you search for SA threads on this forum you can get some first hand opinons on several other areas down there.

[soul_skier]

i would advise going late july early august, mudfoot is right in that july is a big break for schools, also, it all depends on if the marte chair is open, i would advise LL, but that's just me

[Mudfoot]

Check the TGR "Summits" forum. There is a recent thread on Las Lenas vs Valle Nevado that has good info on most of the SA areas.

Also, most of the SA areas open around June 15, so July 4th is real early season and they may not have decent snow yet.

[Bucky Mullet]

Thanks for the heads-up on the SA winter break (does it run all of july or is early july OK?). When is the snowpack the best? I've been looking through the other threads, but haven't been able to find anything with regard to snowpack / monthly snowfall.

[hoarhey]

snowpack is best in early mid August through Sept.
The snow down there varies from season to season.
2002 was huge, 2003 and 4 were not (Dry), 2005 was another good year.

I think in Chile the school break is at the end of July (2nd half). Don't know about Argentina.

[Meathelmet]

When is the snowpack the best?

As stated above, search the old threads.

LAS is too short for search so LENAS might be more usefull.

You have about 10-15 multipage threads there from the last couple seasons.

Especially squirrel99´s last years thread was Über.

The snowpack is a tricky one,as you will find out.
The weather is another one,wich you will find out if you read a thread of mine of that subject.
I allmost shot my self there.

And was it 2001 or something when the LL didnt even open because they had no snow. I mean, NO snow. At all. So if possible, reserve the lodging as late as possible.
Finding place to crash in LL was no problem in from mid july-mid agust.
Lot of people stumbled there,found out hotels were fully booked, and found some lodgin in the "gulag".

Buy a sixpack and start reading.

[dude_le_skibum]

As stated above, search the old threads.

LAS is too short for search so LENAS might be more usefull.

You have about 10-15 multipage threads there from the last couple seasons.

Especially squirrel99´s last years thread was Über.

The snowpack is a tricky one,as you will find out.
The weather is another one,wich you will find out if you read a thread of mine of that subject.
I allmost shot my self there.

And was it 2001 or something when the LL didnt even open because they had no snow. I mean, NO snow. At all. So if possible, reserve the lodging as late as possible.
Finding place to crash in LL was no problem in from mid july-mid agust.
Lot of people stumbled there,found out hotels were fully booked, and found some lodgin in the "gulag".

Buy a sixpack and start reading.

dog there you go.


weather is the key, i like to have a last minute start. if you are a little bit keen its a piece of cake.

if you are not keen at all at want an all in package
www.powderquest.com

[flatlander420]

I have never skied las Lenas, but I have skied Valle Nevado,El Colorado and La Parva in Chile.Time of my life! We went down there with zero itinery. Rented a car and drove up to a town called Farrallones, found a cool little hotel (all inclusive)with a T bar right outside the front. We spent 10 days skiiing pow with people from every corner of the earth,drank lots of wine and ate local food. Heli skied from 14k, unreal vacation! This was in 97 so it might have changed a bit, but I dought it! Enjoy!

Valle Nevado

[Alpinist]

Any thought on where (or when) to go / stay ?
Thanks already.

If you are just searching for the ultimate Andes skiing experience, go to Las Leñas. It is the most modern, advanced and comfortable ski resort in South America, period. Just keep in mind it is a "ski resort experience", far from Mendoza or any other town if you are also looking for a little cultural experience.

If you are looking for the more cultural "mountain town experience" you are better off in Bariloche. You can stay in the town, have some great food, go to the bars, catch a movie, etc. Cerro Catedral is just 30 minutes from town and it is the biggest ski resort in the Andes.

Being an Argentinian, these are the places I've learned to ski. So regarding when to go it depends on how the season goes. Some years is pretty dry throughout the season and some others (like last year) there was already plenty of snow in June. But as a general rule, later in the season (August-September) is safer than earlier. Enjoy asado with chimichurri and mollejas.

[Bucky Mullet]

Thanks for the advice...
The thought now is to get there late august, and stay through labor day (maximizing the days off work). Is there anything wrong with flying into Sandiago and driving to Las Lenas, maybe hitting up a couple of Chilean hills on the way?
I'm hoping that maybe the airfare will drop by august, talk about some sticker shock!!!

[Mudfoot]

Don't know if it's an option for you, but if you have any friends down there it is cheaper if they buy the plane tickets for you with pesos. They do run specials to Santiago every once in a while if you keep checking.

Oh yeah, I with you on the cowbell.

[Alpinist]

The thought now is to get there late august, and stay through labor day (maximizing the days off work). Is there anything wrong with flying into Sandiago and driving to Las Lenas, maybe hitting up a couple of Chilean hills on the way?

1) Late August is a surer bet in snow quality.

2) How long are you planning to be down there? Santiago to Mendoza to Las Leñas is a looooong drive. May not be worth it for a short trip. I would fly to BA and from there to Malargue, which is a quick bus ride from Las Leñas.

3) BUY YOUR TICKET ASAP. International fares only get more expensive closer to the flying date. August is high season for airtravel worldwide, can't escape that reality.

[enlosandes]

I would fly to BA and from there to Malargue, which is a quick bus ride from Las Leñas.

Besides, BA is one of the great cities of the world at a fraction of the price!

[Alpinist]

Besides, BA is one of the great cities of the world at a fraction of the price!

Ahhhh, my hometown....

[seanyob]

bumpity...

[RootSkier]

Is Catedral really bigger than Las Lenas? By what measurement? I never skied there, but Catedral doesn't look all that large. I always assumed that statistic was prior to Las Lenas opening, and everyone in Bariloche just never wanted to admit it.

[Alpinist]

Is Catedral really bigger than Las Lenas? By what measurement? I never skied there, but Catedral doesn't look all that large. I always assumed that statistic was prior to Las Lenas opening, and everyone in Bariloche just never wanted to admit it.

If you never skied Catedral, how did you arrive to those assumptions? Las Leñas has 13 lifts, Catedral 40. Las Leñas has 230 hectares of piste skiing surface, Catedral has 600 hectares. So by on-piste skiing standards, Catedral is still much bigger than Las Leñas and still the biggest resort in South America.

Nevertheless, Las Leñas has far more options for lift-accessed off-piste (sidecountry), one of the longest runs in the world and better snow quality than Catedral (is higher and drier). On any given day, I prefer Las Leñas. I'll probably be there in late September .

[enlosandes]

I am here in Bariloche and went to the ski hill for a look two days ago. Much more tame skiing than LL, good for intermediates and one pieces. Great town though! My $.02. Here is a picture from the lake shore here, me gusta mucho!