Skiing in South America

nubs · #1 05-31-2006, 01:22 AM

Well, I am considering making a ski trip this summer south of the equator. I really don't know much about the ski industry down South, so if you have any insights it would be greatly appreciated.

I mostly enjoy powder (who doesn't) with an occasional groomer thrown in. When I am feeling frisky I'll drop a cliff or two, nothing too crazy. I have read a little about Las Lenas and Bariloche.

Is it difficult getting around for a a non Spanish speaking gringo? Is it expensive?

Chairman Wood · #2 05-31-2006, 01:47 AM

I do not know much about skiing at all. But I've met some people that have talked about going "outbound" skiing here or something. I'm sure you or other ski types would know what i'm talking about. Basically, they take you on a helicopter to the top of a mountain with a wristband with your info on it let you off and say good luck. Stuff they wouldn't do in the US or europe due to liablity. If you get wiped out by an avalanche or something else thats why you have the wristband, so when the snow melts in the summer they can identify you. Not sure exactly how credible this is but I've heard it from more than one source both of who have had no reason to lie to me. Bariloche is pretty. Argentina is pretty cheap right now, but not sure if that applies all the way to the ski areas. Not sure why it wouldn't other than proximity to Chile.

jaymajik · #3 05-31-2006, 06:37 AM

I snowboarded in Bariloche. It was pretty good. It was outrageously cheap and the facilities are up to European/US standards. It's not a massive resort, but its a real bargain.

Getting around Argnetina is easy (and cheap, again). There are lots of internal flights, and the bus netwrok is amazing - all luxury coaches with full reclining seats - better than anything I've seen in Europe. So if you want to do it that way, and see some of Argentina, thats a cheap way to do it.

FWIW I don't speak a word of Spanish, and I travelled around Argentina for 6 weeks and was fine.

PassiveCaller · #4 05-31-2006, 05:56 PM

nubs,

Which South American powder are we speaking of?

Kneel B4 Zod · #5 05-31-2006, 06:11 PM

what I know second hand:

snow is not as good as the Western US. It's also not as good as Europe, but is better than the Eastern US.

terrain difficulty is typically between the Western US and Eastern US, w/ a kind of European feel, if that makes sense.

the above goes for resorts in SA compared to resorts I typically travel to: Alta, Jackson, Squaw.

nubs · #6 06-01-2006, 12:14 AM

All,

Thanks for the few tidbits of info. I was talking with my barber today and she asked what my plans were this summer. I mentioned skiing down south and she replied "Oh, you can ski in the summer there?" Surprisingly she did not take out a chunk of scalp during the haircut.

Kneel,
It would be a shame if Squaw was the only place you have skiied in the Lake Tahoe area.

Kneel B4 Zod · #7 06-01-2006, 12:44 AM

[ QUOTE ]
All,

Thanks for the few tidbits of info. I was talking with my barber today and she asked what my plans were this summer. I mentioned skiing down south and she replied "Oh, you can ski in the summer there?" Surprisingly she did not take out a chunk of scalp during the haircut.

Kneel,
It would be a shame if Squaw was the only place you have skiied in the Lake Tahoe area.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've also been to Alpine and Kirkwood and even (gasp!) Heavenly. I just didn't feel like listing them all [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

oh and Homewood too...what great views.