SNOWING MAY 16 IN CHILE!

**klar** · 05-27-2007, 01:07 PM

squeakygonzalez and split-it, please keep up the weather reports, would be much appreciated.

gracias.

**801 jav** · 05-27-2007, 01:48 PM

Where did you see this... ? I've been checking kayak.com weekly. Miami or LAX seem to be the cheapest airports for a flight out to SA. But then some of us have to add in the cost of a flight to one of these airports to see if it's cheaper than just flying out of our home area airport. My plan was to visit family in Miami, FL. Catch a cheap SW Airlines flight ($99 each way for me) to Ft Lauderdale (40 min drive to MIA). Then get a ride to Miami International Airport to fly out to Santiago. Pricing that out saves me about $200. Maybe an idea for anyone who's heading down to SA, but would like a day or two to hit the beach.

**squeakygonzalez** · 05-27-2007, 02:11 PM

Jay I think the hand holding is worth it if and/or when

-Your bags are delayed 2-3 days arriving at Santiago, Mendoza or Buenos Aires
-To access backcountry spots
-If want to go to more than 1 resort and avoid the hassle of missing the bus, taking the wrong bus, the bus breaking down, the border is closed past portillo, you show up at hostel or hotel and they do not know what you are talking about
-You only have a week or two

Another good website for flights from the east coast is www.carbonetravel.com There are cheap options doing crazy things like flying through Panama or Colombia.

**squeakygonzalez** · 05-27-2007, 02:14 PM

Sorry Carbone's website is www.1800argentina.com

**cj001f** · 05-27-2007, 02:18 PM

The cheap fare is on LAN and doesn't include taxes or the $100 reciprocity fare they charge Americans. Santiago sucks.

Originally Posted by squeakygonzalez

Jay I think the hand holding is worth it if and/or when

-Your bags are delayed 2-3 days arriving at Santiago, Mendoza or Buenos Aires
-To access backcountry spots
-If want to go to more than 1 resort and avoid the hassle of missing the bus, taking the wrong bus, the bus breaking down, the border is closed past portillo, you show up at hostel or hotel and they do not know what you are talking about
-You only have a week or two

It isn't that fucking hard. If you want some bullshit handheld pseudo-adventure to talk to people around the watercooler or spray on the internet about, go ahead. Do you ski with a guide in America? Why would you need one in S. America?

**801 jav** · 05-27-2007, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by cj001f

The cheap fare is on LAN and doesn't include taxes or the $100 reciprocity fare they charge Americans. Santiago sucks.

It isn't that fucking hard. If you want some bullshit handheld pseudo-adventure to talk to people around the watercooler or spray on the internet about, go ahead. Do you ski with a guide in America? Why would you need one in S. America?

Yea, LAN is good and they fly out of SLC. The cheapest (without crazy layovers) is COPA Panama (Continental Airlines Affiliate) but they only fly out of select large US hubs. Is the reciprocity fee because we started charging it first?

**cj001f** · 05-27-2007, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by 801 jav

Is the reciprocity fee because we started charging it first?

Yes. It only applies to visitors arriving by air and is good until your passport expires.

**801 jav** · 05-28-2007, 01:11 PM

I think the cost factor is the big problem with the tours. You could easily drop 5k for 2 weeks. Tour would be good if traveling alone (most people can't commit to a S. Hemi trip, let alone pay off their season pass for last year).

**zimmer** · 05-28-2007, 01:20 PM

Road between San Raf and Mza was closed today due to snow.

Tours are probably worth it if you have the $$$ and only a short time. If overcoming the whole South American junk-show thing is part of the attraction of going down there, then try organizing things yourself.

**801 jav** · 05-28-2007, 01:29 PM

Yea, I agree. How much snow so far?

**zimmer** · 05-28-2007, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by 801 jav

Yea, I agree. How much snow so far?

None on the ground in LL before now. It's been a late start, but hopefully things will come good before the end of next month.

This year Bariloche got 1 new quad, 1 new triple and 2 new doubles for this season... Las Leñas got some new pavement for the roads, 2 new snowcats and improvements on that sweet dome next to the ski rental. STOKED!

**enlosandes** · 05-28-2007, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by zimmer

None on the ground in LL before now. It's been a late start, but hopefully things will come good before the end of next month.

This year Bariloche got 1 new quad, 1 new triple and 2 new doubles for this season... Las Leñas got some new pavement for the roads, 2 new snowcats and improvements on that sweet dome next to the ski rental. STOKED!

Good, the road between Los Molles and LL took years off our truck!

Cold in Bariloche today, but mostly sunny skies.

**801 jav** · 05-28-2007, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by enlosandes

Good, the road between Los Molles and LL took years off our truck!

Cold in Bariloche today, but mostly sunny skies.

Keep us posted. Thanks!

**801 jav** · 05-28-2007, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by zimmer

None on the ground in LL before now. It's been a late start, but hopefully things will come good before the end of next month.

This year Bariloche got 1 new quad, 1 new triple and 2 new doubles for this season... Las Leñas got some new pavement for the roads, 2 new snowcats and improvements on that sweet dome next to the ski rental. STOKED!

Let us know how it's going out there. Thanks.

**Squirrel99** · 05-29-2007, 12:06 AM

I've been going either solo or in my own small group almost every year since 2001, but use services (like southamericaski.com) to arrange lodging and/or transport - which can be very beneficial. Most people do not need a guide and can get around on their own (it's part of the adventure). As for guiding- it depends on where you are going and what your objective is. If your main intent is to "access the gnar" but do not feel comfortable assessing avalanche terrain (and lack proper gear) then it may be beneficial as a good portion of expert terrain is not 'controlled'

**801 jav** · 05-29-2007, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Squirrel99

I've been going either solo or in my own small group almost every year since 2001, but use services (like southamericaski.com) to arrange lodging and/or transport - which can be very beneficial. Most people do not need a guide and can get around on their own (it's part of the adventure). As for guiding- it depends on where you are going and what your objective is. If your main intent is to "access the gnar" but do not feel comfortable assessing avalanche terrain (and lack proper gear) then it may be beneficial as a good portion of expert terrain is not 'controlled'

Which resorts then are better "controlled"? I heard that the Farrellones resorts and Portillo are good. Catedral, Chapelco, Termas too. Others??

**enlosandes** · 05-30-2007, 06:23 AM

Light dusting this morning at lake level here in Bariloche!

**klar** · 05-30-2007, 06:28 AM

woot!

jay, i am not sure it is a good idea to rely on anything being "controlled".

**shamrockpow** · 05-30-2007, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by klar

woot!

jay, i am not sure it is a good idea to rely on anything being "controlled".

He is right that you mostly can count on in-bounds to be controlled at Valle Nevado, Portillo, and even LL.

The issue is that in-bounds (in this case) excludes almost all the terrain worth skiing and there being a lifetime's worth of spectacular terrain just a few steps outside LL's boundaries (for example).

**enlosandes** · 05-30-2007, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by klar

jay, i am not sure it is a good idea to rely on anything being "controlled".

Klar, that might be the understatement of the day.

**Squirrel99** · 05-30-2007, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by 801 jav

Which resorts then are better "controlled"? I heard that the Farrellones resorts and Portillo are good. Catedral, Chapelco, Termas too. Others??

It's kind of like Europe. Avy control work is done in certain locations to protect infrastructure (lodging/lifts, etc..) but not all skiable terrain is covered. For example, Lenas does extensive work in some areas (El Collar above Neptuno, East faces above the village) but very little in other parts (some of the south facing Marte chutes & the entire North Face, areas outside Volcano, etc...). I would also suspect that Catedral does very little, if any, control work in the Laguna region.

If you venture off-piste, it's a good idea to have a beacon, probe, shovel with you and know how to use them. Many people will ski these areas without them, but I wouldn't advise it.

**Arty50** · 05-30-2007, 10:49 AM

Catedral seemed to be well handled when the Santa Rosa rolled in a couple of years ago. I'll let Yoss and the Rev chime in more since they may have noticed things I missed at the time. But lift openings and bc access appeared to be handled well. Also, it came in like a classic Sierra dump; so I'm sure that helped.

Originally Posted by cj001f

It isn't that fucking hard. If you want some bullshit handheld pseudo-adventure to talk to people around the watercooler or spray on the internet about, go ahead. Do you ski with a guide in America? Why would you need one in S. America?

He's not necessarily talking about getting a mountain guide, he's talking about having a travel coordinator. It's a damn good idea. Having had shit go wrong down there, I can say it's really nice to have a knowledgeable, well connected person on your side.

**cj001f** · 05-30-2007, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Arty50

He's not necessarily talking about getting a mountain guide, he's talking about having a travel coordinator. It's a damn good idea. Having had shit go wrong down there, I can say it's really nice to have a knowledgeable, well connected person on your side.

too each their own

**klar** · 05-30-2007, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Squirrel99

I would also suspect that Catedral does very little, if any, control work in the Laguna region.

afaik, they do nothing in laguna, segundo lomo or la palmera, which are the main easy access offpiste runs.
what they did control and on occasion "close" was the nubes area right in the middle of the resort. i understand they have got the nubes chair working this season so i assume some of the less interesting terrain accessed from that ridge will now be groomed. should still be some nice bits there though, even if they will get tracked much faster with the new chair.

oh, and what arty says about catedral lift openings: i may be wrong but i got the distinct impression that they are not at all dictated by control work but mainly due to strong winds and snowed in or broken lifts. ofcourse dangerous snow conditions and stormy "we can't run the chairs" weather often coincide...

**Arty50** · 05-30-2007, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by klar

afaik, they do nothing in laguna, segundo lomo or la palmera, which are the main easy access offpiste runs.
what they did control and on occasion "close" was the nubes area right in the middle of the resort. i understand they have got the nubes chair working this season so i assume some of the less interesting terrain accessed from that ridge will now be groomed. should still be some nice bits there though, even if they will get tracked much faster with the new chair.

When I was there Laguna was officially BC. So no control there. I have no idea where the other two are since I don't even know all the names on my home mountain.

oh, and what arty says about catedral lift openings: i may be wrong but i got the distinct impression that they are not at all dictated by control work but mainly due to strong winds and snowed in or broken lifts. ofcourse dangerous snow conditions and stormy "we can't run the chairs" weather often coincide...

Good point. In fact they may have even been closed due to lack of lifties. No idea. Oh and please don't mention Catedral and broken lifts in the same sentence. *Shudder*