 Poster: A snowHead
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I want to plan a couple of summer ski trips for this summer, has anyone got any advice or experience regarding Chile or Argentina?
Also looking at Japan later in the year again advice and suggestions would be appreciated.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cerro Catedral in Patagonia is pretty good, more variety than the high altitude areas incl tree skiing, although the snow reliability and quality can suffer as a result of low altitude, if you want Pow guarantte'd go to Portillo in Chile. San Carlos de Bariloche, the nearest town, is also a pretty nice place to stay, although you can stay on the mountain too. Its very all cheap by european standards but to get their you usually have to fly via Madrid to B'Aires and then on to Bariloche which can be a bit of a killer, best to stay over in BA for a night.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks for that, narrows it down a bit in terms of areas to research
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Las Lenas is recognised as the toughest skiing but everyewhere else can be fun places to go - skiing down the side of a smoking volcano is a fairly novel experience to most Euros.
Portillo and Valle Nevado areas are easily doable based on flights in/out Santiago with possibility of cat skiing thrown in. For the full skinny on Las Lenas TGR ususally has the best scoop (& usually a few maggot season pads rented)
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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fatbob, ooooo volcanoes! Gotta be done!
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Scotland
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barry, not sure scotland fits in with my 'blow my inheritance crazy southern hemisphere ski adventure' theme i was going for lol
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snobunni, couple of options you might be interested in with Snoworks.
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rob@rar, exactly what i was after . . . might be a bit much for the hubby though, shame, i'll have to leave him at home lol
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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snobunni, yes, sometimes sacrifices need to be made in the pursuit of skiing nirvana! I've not done either of those South American trips but I know a couple of people who have and they had an amazing time.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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rob@rar, lol absolutely, would you mind just emailing my hubby in support of the fact i NEED not WANT to go on one of the snoworks trips lol
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snobunni, Happy to do that, I'm sure he'll understand 
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You know it makes sense.
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rob@rar, lol i've just plotted with his best mate to send him to vegas as a trade off . . .
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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D'oh, just seen the single person supplement! £750!!!!!!!! Need a companion to go with!!!!! Any takers???????? Pleeeaaaaasssssseeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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snobunni, won't they arrange a (same sex) room sharer for you? All the Snoworks trips I've done this has been the case.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rob@rar, i've emailed them asking them that . . . sat here clutching my debit card in anticipation!!!!!!! I think i'm supposed to be working lol
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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rob@rar, to be fair who cares about same sex
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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snobunni, Try these as well. For singles and cheaper.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Colin B, thanks for that, looks like a very viable alternative to the snoworks trip!
Yay! Snowheads is soooooooo useful!
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rob@rar, lol we're all just there for the snow is what i meant!
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Colin B, half the price, half the duration, one-third of the food - ergo much the same cost
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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eng_ch, true, but much smaller initial debit from the bank statement that my husband will see lol
plus waiting for confirmation from snoworks regarding sharing with other single travellers, if not its another £750, ouch
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Fri 18-04-08 13:22; edited 1 time in total
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snobunni, very true
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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what about new-zealand?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Having been to both, NZ is not in the same league.
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Snobunni,
Chile looks the place to go, but all the package deals I have looked at are megga trips offering high quality hotels and ski all the best locations.
Good if you want to spend the money and have the time.
It looks like it can be done DIY.
We are trying to get our heads around it, check thread http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=39122&highlight=
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You know it makes sense.
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Snobunni,
If you intend to go skiing, either here in Argie or in Chile, then try to avoid the school winter holidays (9th of July to the 3rd of August for my kids), as contrary to popular opinion, it will not be cheap. For example check the prices for Portillo or Chillián on this site - http://www.chileanski.com/eng. For this reason we're going to Catedral (Bariloche) and Chapelco (San Martín de los Andes) this year.
It can be done DIY (this is how we book our trips) but you had better speak Spanish, or get lucky and find someone that speaks English. Be prepared for long travel times - 12 hours minimum flight from Europe. BA takes 16 hours via Brazil. Another two to three hours flying from Buenos Aires to Bariloche or whatever resort you choose. It's going to take me at least 16 hours to drive to Bariloche this July.
The best time is around late August to early October, as that's low season and the Brazilians have gone home.
If you do come down here, make it for at least three weeks, as traveling will eat up several days. And bring your own skis, as the rental choice in these parts is shite.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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snobunni,
If you brave and speak some basic spanish it is more than possible to do DIY, I backpacked it on buses with a bit of hitching though I did take a snowboard rather than skis for travel simplicity. I covered Bariloche, Chapelco (St Martin), Pucon, Termas, Valle Nevado/El Colorado and Portillo over the course of a trip (I dropped Las Lenas as the snow reports were poor and the travel from Mendoza difficult). Plus some time in BA & Santiago and some nice hiking.
The Chileans and Argentinians are very helpful and hospitable people generally and you will meet plenty of fellow Euros plus the usual suapects (Canucks , Saffers, Kiwis , Aussies) so you won't get lonely.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks for the advice fatbob, dek and skier from argentina . . . my hubby's already a little nervous about me heading halfway across the world on my onw to ski, so i'm thinking the DIY option might push his tolerance a little lol I've set my heart on the snoworks trip now! Just waiting to hear re the single person supplement!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yay!!!!!! Place on the Snoworks trip is held pending my employers decision re the time off (i bet you can guess what i'll tell them if they turn my holiday request down lol)! Canr wait, i' going to be insufferable in the build up, sorry! 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Try looking at this thread as well
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=39122
One thing to bare in mind. Skiing in South America is NOT cheap. Hotels are all geared up for the North American market. Accommodation is limited this is especially true for Las Lenas , Valle Nevado, Portillo. Most Hotels are Full board basis. Lift passes are not cheap.
The best way I went around my trips was to fly into Buenos Aires on an OpenJaw ticket (fly back from Santiago) and take a couple of days there to sort your self out & relax.
I used a down town backstreet independent travel agency. How did I find an English speaking travel agent? Clever, I got the BA Hotel reception to find me one why I went out & enjoyed the city:D
Day 2 I went to the agent down town. The agent & I spent nearly 4 hours sorting out the itinerary I required including all flights (Las Lenas,Bariloche) ,hotels in both resorts,lift passes,private taxi service to/from the slopes in Bariloche, lakes boat trip to Puento Monnt Chile. I recommend the lakes trip.
(I didnt use this company but its the same trip. http://www.ripioturismo.com.ar/ebrclakescrossing.htm)
These back street independent agent work damn hard to get you a fantastic deal & they were usefull to get alot of local information.
I guarantee you your pay less booking through an Argentinian Tourist agency.
All the skiing side was taken care by by http://www.badino.com.ar/
Flights with Southern Winds but they have gone bust now.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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One other thing.
Dont book anything until you know the snow has come (At least 1metre). Andes snow is notoriously unreliable!!!!
Yes the last 2 seasons have been good but they have had more bad season than good.
Best time to go is September. July & August is Peak & busy.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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What Stanton says is correct. It is far cheaper, although not necessarily easier, to book your flight down here and arrange your itinerary and travel yourself. However we are right in the middle of booking our July ski trip now, as the hotels are starting to fill up for the winter. If anyone has any questions send me a message and either the wife or I can try and help or put you in touch with someone.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I was skiing in Argentina for 45 days last year, amazing season. My argie mate was telling me that a week ago in La Hoya there was 10cm of snow at the car park(1300meters), which is alot for this time of year. Seems like there might be a good season ahead again. I have been going to SA for the last 3 seasons, I can say that usually the snow comes abit late, mid July or so, but when it does come its loads.
I wouldnt bother staying in hotels If I were you, try staying in hostels, they tend to be pretty descent in the ski towns in Argentina, and a night will hardly cost more than 7 quid, plus you get to meet other folk that are travelling alone for the snow, so you get great parties at night, and good mates for skiing with during the day.
If you do go to Argentina, you can have fun in the ski resorts in the Lakes region, and youve got 5 ski resorts no more than 4 hours by bus from each other. My plan is to rent a little house for a couple of months with friends in Esquel(La Hoya) the next time I go to SA. Great snow there, probably the cheapest ski resort in Argentina, the people are wonderful, and there is quite a bit of backcountry to explore.
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| bjriordan wrote: |
I was skiing in Argentina for 45 days last year, amazing season. My argie mate was telling me that a week ago in La Hoya there was 10cm of snow at the car park(1300meters), which is alot for this time of year. Seems like there might be a good season ahead again. I have been going to SA for the last 3 seasons, I can say that usually the snow comes abit late, mid July or so, but when it does come its loads.
I wouldnt bother staying in hotels If I were you, try staying in hostels, they tend to be pretty descent in the ski towns in Argentina, and a night will hardly cost more than 7 quid, plus you get to meet other folk that are travelling alone for the snow, so you get great parties at night, and good mates for skiing with during the day.
If you do go to Argentina, you can have fun in the ski resorts in the Lakes region, and youve got 5 ski resorts no more than 4 hours by bus from each other. My plan is to rent a little house for a couple of months with friends in Esquel(La Hoya) the next time I go to SA. Great snow there, probably the cheapest ski resort in Argentina, the people are wonderful, and there is quite a bit of backcountry to explore. |
Cool 
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I'll second Esquel and La Hoya. My favourite so far in S America.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I have not searched (Cant be bothered) but has anyone found any decent fares to SA for this coming the summer?
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stanton, i've looked at flights, best fare (air canada - heathrow/toronto/santiago) i've had is £800!!!!!!! But on talking to a friend in the industry apparently this is good!!!!! I could save about £50 if i went with Iberian via Madrid but apparently what you save in fare isnt worth what you lose in service/comfort. So i shall be booking Air Canada as soon as next pay day comes around lol
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