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Who's skied the world's highest ski lift?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
The legendary Chacaltaya ski tow in Bolivia remains the world's highest ski lift, as far as I know (there are occasional doubts as to whether it's still operating). It stands proudly, all by itself, at a base altitude of 5420m, with a vertical of 200m. It is also the closest ski lift to the equator.

This is the best report, description and set of photos I've seen on this lift (there's even a shot of the lift ticket! Can anyone translate?) by Chris I. Lizza. The report seems to date from 1996.

The diagram on the right of the page - lift map - doesn't make much sense until you read the description under 'Skiing Tips'. Then it makes sense!

Any first-hand reports of skiing Chacaltaya welcome. Or any updates on the health of this little snow-challenged ski area?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Fantastic. Another destination on the list.

If you ski there can you claim you got "high" on bolivian "powder"??

(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?
i wouldnt bother going all the way to Bolvia just to ski Chacaltaya. It is as they say just a very short basic ski tow after jeeping up the hill .
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
But we need a snow report
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
stanton, why not? wink
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Can you picture that style of tow in yer average European resort;total carnage.
Vaguely remember reading a piece on a private ski area in,I think,NZ.The greatest challenge being,not the skiing,but surviving the tractor powered rope tow!As I recall,this tow zig-zagged up the mountain,around some form of ginney wheels.You had to unclip when you came to a wheel,and quickly re-clip on the other side of the wheel Shocked
And some find chair lifts challenging rolling eyes
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
David Goldsmith, thank you for having my forgotten Spanish brushed up Little Angel
This is a one-day pass, probably the date is on the stamp,
not transferable and you have to wear it visible

Instructions:
Stand on the right side of the cable
Stand in a queue
Keep at least a 20-metre-distance from the previous skier when loading
In case of emergency lift the hook up
Loading is only allowed where it is indicated

I can suggest you a couple of places in Eastern Europe to practice how to lock the hook onto the cable Very Happy
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Thanks, kerekip.

'Nutcracker' clamps for rope tows are still quite widely used around the world. The Chacaltaya set-up sounds slightly different (and a bit more sophisticated) than others, some of which are very basic. Climbing 200m - which is what's involved here - without a button for the bum (which is what they clearly provide at Chacaltaya) is a heck of a strain on the arms.

At its most basic you just grab a rope tow with your 'bare gloves' - though this can only work on the gentlest of rope tows. The 'nutcracker' type clamp has been used on lots of artificial ski slopes, though it's not considered nearly user-friendly enough these days. Temporary rope tows used for grass-skiing and short-term snow areas will often rely on nutcrackers.

I believe that rope tows of various forms are still used at many New Zealand 'club' ski fields - maybe some NZ skiers could elaborate on the types of clamps used?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
David Murdoch,

OK if your touring though Bolivia and your in La Paz but I wouldnt make a speciifc trip to just ski this peak. I only visited ( 15 years ago) as I was touring through South America as part of a larger trip.

There's quite alot of reviews here.

http://www.goski.com/bolivia.htm
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
I was in La Paz about a month ago and had a look at going up to Chacaltaya. It is still operating but only in summer. In the winter they get no snow and it is incredibly cold and icy. However from what I could glean in La Paz the future is in doubt as the glacier is receding, appartently the bottom of the tow is now 20m or something below the end of the glacier.
The lift is a clip thing...I have no idea what it involves but they tell you to wear old clothes as apparently it wrecks them???!!! In the winter there seems to be a rather better mountain biking option from Chacaltaya down to La Paz..so c.5200 down to 4000m and then on down to Coroico which is I think at about 1600m. It is called the 'World's most dangerous road' as it has 1000m sheer drops.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Chris Angus, actually I believe it's called the worlds most dangerous road due to the number of vehicles that go over those sheer drops Shocked
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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.
DG Orf, yes that is why it's called the most dangerous road, apparently it is the bus drivers who occasionally get it wrong...they all drive like maniacs here in South America.
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