BACK COUNTRY SKIING

Andes Winter Escape

Suitable for Skiers & Snowboarders

An introduction to the unique, un-crowded ski resorts of Chile’s Central Andes, famous for their incredible snow conditions, diverse landscape, vast terrain as well they are easily accessible from Santiago.

This winter escape has been created to maximize your time skiing at the best ski resorts and will offer you the opportunity to enjoy one day of cat skiing with an unbelievable variety of terrain and snow conditions. This program combines a classic warm-up on the resort runs followed by a dose of off-piste adventure. The exact mix will depend on the group’s interest, capabilities as well as the mountain conditions. This is a fabulous way to discover a uniquely amazing country and will allow you to experience the rugged mountains of the Andes and to see how they have shaped the culture and traditions of Chile. (Not to mention giving you the opportunity to sample some of the best wines in the world.)

Package Details

• UIAGM Mountain Guide fully certified by ENSA in Chamonix/
• CAA (Canadian Avalanche Associaton) WFR (Wolderness First Responder), LNT (Leave No Trace) certified.
• He has wide working experience in SKI Patrol and SAR Teams in Chile, Switzerland and Italy.
• Since 2004, he has been involved in the development of the Heli Ski industry in Chile as consultant as well as Operations Manager.
• In 2007 and 2008, Pancho was Snow Safety Manager for ski Nakiska, AB, Canadá.

Day 1: Santiago - Los Andes - Portillo Ski Area
You will be met at the Santiago airport or at your hotel, and will be transferred in a private van to Los Andes, a town located 80km east of Santiago, beside the Aconcagua River Valley. After checking into the hotel, drive 63km to Portillo, in time to enjoy your first ski/snowboard runs of this famous Andean ski resort, located in a unique corner of the Andes at the source of the Aconcagua River and surrounded by soaring peaks and bottomless valleys. After a day on the slopes, you will be able to enjoy an après drink and then head back to the hotel where there are several options for dinner from local cuisine to international fare.

Hotel in Los Andes (D)

Day 2: Ski in Portillo Area
Portillo is one of the oldest ski areas in South America and its history played a very important role in Chile’s ski industry development. It is a history of adventure, discovery and development where pioneer dreams came true to create one of the most famous ski areas in South America. In Portillo there are exceptional groomed terrain that varies from intermediated to steep and deep, as well it offers an amazing variety of off-piste and backcountry ski areas. Spend the entire day exploring and discovering the diverse possibilities that this range has to offer. Later on in the evening, return to the hotel in Los Andes for a gourmet meal and a well-deserved rest.

Hotel in Los Andes (B/D)

Day 3: Ski in El Arpa - Santiago
El Arpa is situated 35km from Los Andes and is the only cat-skiing operation in the country and as they say “Ski El Arpa is about unbelievable vistas, unbelievable amounts of vertical and unbelievable snow.” But believe it! The two valleys, "Valle el Arpa" and "Valle la Honda", are unlike anywhere else in the world. At the summit you will experience vistas east to "Cerro Aconcagua", the highest peak of the Americas and west to the Pacific Ocean. From the summit, you will have a vertical decent of 1000m/3000ft of virgin powder waiting. Later in the evening, drive back to Santiago, where you will enjoy dinner to the popular area of Providencia, which offer an amazing number of alternatives for the night.

Hotel Los Españoles or Similar**** (B/D)

Day 4: Santiago - Farellones - La Parva
Early in the morning, take a short drive towards the small village of Farellones located at 2200m, in open alpine terrain overlooking Santiago, surrounded by several 4000m and 5000m peaks. It is these peaks that give the Farellones its unique ski and snowboard conditions. Thanks to these natural conditions Farellones has become the most traditional ski village in Chile. Farellones is surrounded by three ski resorts that make up the largest major ski area development in South America. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and then continue a short distance to La Parva ski resort where you will spend the day discovering its runs, unsurpassed snow and not to mention a number of hidden spots. La Parva ski resort's elevation ranges from 2800m to 3700m and offers a wide variety of groomed and off-piste terrain, from very easy trails to over 50º slopes. At the end of the day Farellones offers great après ski where you will mix with the locals, enjoy some good Chilean wine and food, relive the day and plan for the next.

Hotel Farellones or Similar (B/D)

Days 5-6: Ski/Boarding and Off-Piste in Valle Nevado
Valle Nevado is a ski resort close to Farellones, located just behind La Parva. This ski resort offers several possibilities to enjoy two full skiing/snowboarding days. From the top of their lifts, you can chose between groomed runs or some technical and incredible beautiful couloirs. You can also choose from extensive terrain great for off-piste options from very relaxing to very demanding and steep. Later at the end of the day, ski/snowboard over to El Colorado, the third ski resort in the area where the hotel is located at Farellones. For the last evening in Valle Nevado, ChileMontana will arrange a small Chilean wine tasting at the hotel.

Hotel Farellones or Similar (B/D)

Day 7: Ski and Off-Pistes in El Colorado - Farellones – Santiago
Farellones and the above Colorado ski area offers a unique selection of steep terrain and chutes, as well as world-class groomed corduroy runs all accessible from the lift. So depending on the group, you can seek out the less know resort runs or enjoy some of the off-piste. At the end of the day, ski back to Farellones, where you will depart on a 90-minute drive back to Santiago to the hotel. Once back at the hotel, for those who wish to do some shopping for souvenirs, visit some local handcraft markets, where you will find works in copper, lapis lazuli, onyx, wood and textiles. From the market, head to Bellavista a bohemian part of town where you will find more artisans selling their products in small markets, theaters, discos and a variety of incredible restaurants to choose from.

Hotel Los Españoles or Similar**** (B/D)

• From 44 to 30 days prior to departure 10% of the program cost.
• From 29 to 15 prior to departure 50% of the program cost.
• Less than 15 days 100% of the program cost.