 Poster: A snowHead
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Tempted by a last minute backcountry holiday this Summer! Where should I go?
Looking for big mountain, ski touring or just Freeride. Trees for storm skiing should be around as I'm not flying all the way down there to sit around in a white out and a guide or group that's not too expensive. Fully ok with organised packages as my other languages are crap and I'll be on my own!
Would love to do Oz (english speaking) but I think it might be a bit of a shite snow risk, so first thoughts are Chile or Argentina but have no idea other than that! If there's anywhere more off the beaten path that most don't consider I'd love to hear about it. Unless there is something I should definitely wait for winter to do!
Single rule! THINK BIG! (except heli skiing I got dumped, I'm not dying)
M
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Been to Chile a couple of times and most of the skiing in the areas I've been to is above the tree line. Although, skiing through the large area of Monkey Puzzle trees in Corralco was nice. The Andes gets some hellish storms and I'm more than happy to sit out the worst of them after skinning through a couple and getting extremely wind-blown and soaked! Going to Patagonia in August with CASA Tours and have tacked a few days of touring up to Refugio Frey onto the end of the trip.
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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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clarky999, Kelskii, That's the issue, I wanna hunt down some big ass lines but most of the time you need to be well above the tree line and if the weather closes in thats a shed load money wasted! obviously if there's like a lower resort nearby I don't mind killing a day to travel. (plus I can tree ski here all through the winter)
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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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dulcamara, I guess it depends if you can go for long enough that a couple of downdays don't matter too much - for a week that would be a ballache, not the end of the world if you can manage 2-3 weeks though.
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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've been for a couple of weeks at a time over the past two years and missed three days last year and two the year before. The three missed days last year were in the first week at Chillan, then the storm cleared, the pass into Portillo opened as we were driving up there and conditions throughout the second week were epic!
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Big mountain is in Las Lenas. Go in Sept as the Marte always seemed to be closed more often then not in July-Aug. Go for 2 weeks and make the most of the steeps and backcountry.
El Colorado to the Valle Road is also good for big mountain/freeride
I wouldn't go in July if you plan to go to the resorts as its school vacations, ski touring will be fine all the time.
The Southern areas around Bariloche are good for powder till end of August then it can turn a bit warm. This area has some trees but depends on the freezing levels from year to year not really big mountain but good freeride / touring
I guided down south for 4 years and its a great place to travel and ski, I no longer go but I would be glad to help you out. I recently made a breakdown of all ski areas in Chile and Argentina for a ski club I joined it could give you a better idea of what to expect. If you'er interested I can email you the PDF version owen_day(at)hotmail.com. Likewise answer any of your questions
Other guided options:
It would be well worth checking out what Powder Quest Tours has to offer, solid group of ski guides that know all the areas very well and its a lot of fun
http://www.powderquest.com/
Other option is Jorge at Andes Cross local to the Bariloche area.
http://www.andescross.com/
Have Fun!!
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For Argie, the place you want is Las Leñas. No trees though. Too high.
Unfortunately it's not the best run resort in the World, and can be badly effected by the weather. Then it's crap. However, when it all comes together, it'll provide you with some of the best days skiing you've ever had.
As usual TGR are doing their SA thread, which should give you a good idea of what to expect if you head out there.
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/262772-South-America-2013
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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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^ as above I'd tip Chillan and Chapelco out of places I've visited. Not really big lines stuff though - that is available in Portillo (with hiking) and Las Lenas.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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horizon, all my older TRs are pictureless thanks to apple withdrawing .mac
thanks, apple! 
that was a fun trip, even if there I don't have the pics to prove it
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