Summer Sking in Andes

[WillWork4Horns]

I am looking for some information on sking in Chile or Argentina this summer. I have never visited either country so I need a little help. Do the resorts there compare at all with what we have in the Rockies? I would like a fun mountain with a decent nightlife scene. I pulled up a couple in Chile, La Parva and Portillo. The small number of runs surprised me (25-30) but the vertical feet was really good. Any input good or bad would really help me decide if this is worthwhile.

 

[Napoleon]

Don't know much about the Chilean side, but in Argentina, the two main areas are near:

Mendoza
Bariloche

I haven't been to either place in the summer or winter, but tons of people I know went and/or go from Buenos Aires every year.

suerte

 

[RunTex]

Valle Nevado in Chile, just two hours outside Santiago is the largest in all of South America and quite often has the best snow. Portillo in Chile is also fantastic but a small resort.

Las Lenas is the best in Argie, but very hard to get reservations.
Bariloche is so so but a cool city to hang out in Apre. The actual skiing is on Cathedral mountain.

 

[EuroHorn]

In reply to:

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[TEXumAS]

If you solely want to ski, you might be best served to plan for another winter ski trip in the U.S. If you want to explore South America while also skiing, then this is a great trip.

I skiied La Parva and Valle Nevado last Summer. It was a cool experience to ski in South America, but don't go with the hopes of encountering ski resorts like you'll find in the Rockies. Skiing is all above the timberline, so the views are much different than what you're used to. The resorts have only a few high speed quads, and a lot of rope-tows (surface lifts). If you choose Chile, I would recommend staying in Santiago, and taking the shuttles to and from the ski resorts. Portillo is 3+ hours away from Santiago, so you would need to stay there if you chose that destination.

PM me, and I'll share more details on Santiago, skiing, and winery visits.