 Poster: A snowHead
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Want to ski in Chile? I am a Canadian that has skied here for decades, and can orient you depending on your dates, group size, budget, and interests/preferences. I do this for free. Here are some photos to stoke you up for an epic trip south: http://bit.ly/1jLXbgy. Also can set you up in a ski in/out apartment in La Parva, with access to 40+ lifts and 100+ runs, some photos here: http://bit.ly/1jnaOD4
For real backcountry adventurers, I have have a few first descents to propose, some including remote hot springs.
According to NASA/French Space Agency, El Niño could be on the move, which would induce higher than usual precipitation in the north/central part of Chile. If this happens, snowpack should be high! See here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/19may_elnino/
Posts will be promptly answered.
P.S. the fall colours are wonderful right now, and there are patches of new snow on the high andes....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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That's very kind of youCamshaft! Mrs MA and I have fantastic memories of a brilliant 2005 Chile road trip (with a US company) - 3 Valleys, Termas de Chillan (inc off piste volcano ascent/descent), Portillo, Santiago, Valparaiso, wineries, thermal springs - & some powder skiing too! Happy days!
I'm sure anyone taking up your offer wouldn't be disappointed.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Seems some can´t open the "Opening day in La Parva yesterday: OD´d on pow!" link, google goofing around, maybe this one will work:
http://bit.ly/1kDeNaN
Sorry for the inconvenience!
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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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Some stunning pics there 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Camshaft, I wonder if you're the guy who arranged for us to do a few laps of the backside of El Colorado three years ago. (five guys - one American, one Brit, three Romanians). If it's you, thanks, it was excellent. If not, thanks anyway for the offer above and the info. Enjoy the pow!
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There is snow in southern Chile! 1 to 2 meter base in Chillan and Antuco, more where it drifts. PN Conguillio had 1 meter at the cabins (1,200 meters), but it was raining when we left. My first week had everything from windless bluebird to ice fog to serious Puelche winds, to rain. It is now snowing and we are headed to Malalcahuello and Corralco tomorrow.
Some photos here: http://bit.ly/1mfE8Z5 See captions for locations.
As usual, whatever the ski conditions, there is extraordinary beauty to be found....
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Tremendous pics. Thanks.
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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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Corralco has a great base and is fully operational. After 2 days of snow (30 cm aprox), light rain fell to about 1,800m, leaving a boundless packed off-piste, and we got 3 full days of sun.
Updated photos here: http://bit.ly/1mfE8Z5
The area has 2 new lifts for this year, adding 400m vertical and giving access a some great 700m vertical lines, and a shot at a 950m vertical run down to the new hotel. Thanks to James Ackerson for kindly inviting me for the inaugural ride on the new Cumbre t-bar! The season here is in great shape and the hotel is first class.
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As of July 28 it still hasn´t snowed enough to build a good backcountry base in the central zone, but even so we got a fun day hiking up and around the back bowls of La Parva: http://bit.ly/Uxkz8e
As it is, the runs are hard packed and full of pebbles, and most off-piste is a mine field.
There is some snow in the snow-forecast for later this week, but the forecasts differ and have been proven inaccurate this year. El niño hasn´t appeared.
Southern Chile is going to get thumped with rain and snow this week, most websites agree.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Sorry to revise this rather old thread, but thought it a better than starting a new one. Looking for any advice/experience/recommendations for hiring a guide in Corralco. We are going to be there in September this year. Already have accommodation and travel organised. Also any intelligence on the ski school in Corralco, the cost of which is apparently included in the price of the accommodation: how advanced are they likely to go; are they likely to cover off-piste / day-touring? Answers to the second question might of course make the answer to the first question superfluous!
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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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You really do not need a guide. It is a small ski area, wide open with no trees, and you won’t be skiing on foggy or snowy days because you won’t be seeing anything. Going off piste is pretty straight forward, and not dangerous in terms of cliffs or avalanches. I think the ski teachers will take you anywhere you want, even to the top of the volcano. Check out this years blog here http://bit.ly/skichile2019, or the ski guide here http://bit.ly/Chileskiguide
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@Camshaft, thanks for the response, which is very helpful. We are certainly looking to get up the volcano, if at all possible.
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You know it makes sense.
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Ski lots,
I'm sure you will love it! With guides, we summitted Villaricca in Pucon (bootpacking, with skis on packs) and had a most amazing experience. Skiing from the top of an active volcano was one of our best ever descents and will live long in the memory! 
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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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@Bergmeister, thanks really looking forward to it. We are going to ski some of the more “commercial” stations near Santiago before heading to Corralco and some skinning and I guess boot-packing.
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Poster: A snowHead
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So it is snowing in the resorts in Chile - rather academic for all sorts of reasons I know 
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FAQ
