Chile in August

I think they're OK, but there was one tour op in Bariloche that got a lot of bad press a couple of years ago.  You might search TGR?

Which tour?

I wouldn't book anywhere in SA until they had a decent base and right now Portillo only has 7"?

I don't recall the specifics and would rather not get into conjecture.   If you look, you'll find it.

That's a nice trip!  But I would still wait to book, until they had snow on the ground.  If it fills up, I think you could replicate it fairly easily on your own?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridge 

The High Andes Tour August 18th through the 24th. 

Is it still early in the season?

no, that's a good time really. its the equivelent to our late February. The last 2 seasons were rough, last season, baraloche area and south (IIRC) ended up getting the goods after a dismal start (including volcano eruptions) but Portillo and Nalle Nevado got shut out for the most part. The new sidecountry terrain in LaParva didn't even open I think.  If I were you, I would hold off on the booking.

CASA Tours have some great videos up on Youtube. 

Check these out. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/CASATOURS

This one from two years ago is about the time that they had bad snow.  

Im heading to Chile for work June 16 to July 2 they tell me I will get to ski.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHREDHEAD 

I don't recall the specifics and would rather not get into conjecture.   If you look, you'll find it.

 

That's a nice trip!  But I would still wait to book, until they had snow on the ground.  If it fills up, I think you could replicate it fairly easily on your own?

I'm with Shredhead on this plus I'm 95% sure of the name of the operator that had issues. I also don't recall enough of the specifics to get into it. It wasn't CASA and I don't want to name drop on something that I'm not 100% sure of the details.

I bumped into guides from CASA at Termas on a few occasion back in 2007.

The High Andes tours ski areas are all fairly close to Santiago. Valle Nevado/La Parva/El Colorado are only a crazy road away from the city. Portillo are maybe within 2 hours away and El Arpa isn't to far either. I've skied these ski areas + Termas de Chillan (further south) back on a two week trip in 2007.

always make sure you have all of your vouchers; hotels, transportation and such. You can always call/email and verify that you have your reservations and that all is paid as required. The prices can widely vary so shop around. That trip looks very cool. I have not skied Arpa but my friend has and loved it. The road leading in has been greatly improved so getting in and out is no longer an issue. 

This one looks pretty damn cool as well! Not this year for me, but maybe someday!  ;-)

A quick look at the 8th Annual Ski With the Superstars Camp in Portillo, Chile. Campers spend a week in the Chilean Andes skiing with professional skiers Chris Davenport, Mike Douglas, Ingrid Backstrom, Wendy Fisher and Chris Anthony. Filmed and edited by Jesse Hoffman.

http://chrisdavenport.com/2011/announcing-dates-for-ninth-annual-superstars-ski-camp-at-ski-portillo-chile