Blog

Welcome to the Snoworks Blog. Here you can keep updated on a daily basis on what's happening on our Snoworks course and the latest snow conditions.

12/11/08

Wednesday, midway through our November 8th week. More snow last night is again providing exceptional skiing on the glacier. Still snowing lightly as I write with the forecast for the rest of the week, clear.

Mark Jones has joined us for the next two weeks. Mark was a regular on the Snoworks scene for many years and it's great to have him back as part of the team.

This week: Race, Gap, Eurotest, Instructor Training
It's a week for the pros! The Gappies are on to their final week before heading off to Zermat for their BASI level 1 so it's a combination of Central Theme (snowploughs) and more Race and Personal performance.

Eurotest is full on this week and the word from Emma is there are some hot skiers. Our end of week race should be pretty interesting. Mark Mckellar has joined us for two weeks. Mark is the son of Avoriaz Alpine Ski School founder Ian Mckellar. Ian and Phil worked together in Italy in 1979. Yep that's right 1979 when they where young lads starting out in skiing.

Andrew de Plessis has joined us. We thought Andrew was a novice racer until he put his skis on! Skis to 60 FIS points. At last we may have someone to challenge Georgie Hunt. Georgie has wiped the board with everyone at every Snoworks race for the past 4 autumns. Max slinger could be the dark horse. He is fast. So it looks like the end of week race will be between, Andrew, Max and Georgie. But there are some others flying at present. Alex is fast, Mark Mckellar is an unknown quantity along with Rowan, Annabel, Phil, Guy, JoJo, Nick, Stewart and Dave anything can happen. Mary McMichael is out training for her Aosta Speed test. I am sure she will not mind me saying but I believe Mary is in her 70's and still race training. Mary you continue to amaze me, fantastic.

Lee Townend and Mark Jones are training the ISIA skiers and what conditions they have. I heard a few grumbles about bad visibility last night. but hey we've got fantastic snow and it's November 12th! Darren and the two Andy's have joined forces with some of the gaps for some really intense development on their personal skiing.

08/11/08

Yes, that's Tignes on Saturday November 8th. Wow! We are experiencing the best autumn conditions I can remember. More snow last night is providing exceptional conditions on the glacier. The photo is looking down on the glacier from the top of the Grande Motte cable car. The Champagny, Rossilin, Grand Motte and 3,500 have provided fantastic skiing conditions. With the new snowfalls last week the Lesse chairlift was able to open on Saturday 8th November. The run all the way to Val Claret is now complete. Although not officially open many skiers have been skiing all the way to the village on the double m.

November 1st Course Update.

Gap
The 'gappies' took to the Race Course' for the week. Giant Slalom training with the object of:
1. Providing an insight into Alpine Ski Racing.
2. To develop Personal Skiing Performance.
3. To provide a start in their training should they decide to go further in their skiing career and require their Eurotest qualification.
From all accounts they loved it. Reports from all the trainers were that everyone is skiing exceptionally well and all should fly through their BASI Level 1 in Zermatt next week.

One to One
Our first One to One and the start of something pretty exciting. This is an exceptional opportunity to cram 10 weeks of tuition into one week. First to test the water with our new One to One format was Ken. Ken new exactly what he wanted out of the week from the moment he arrived. Off Piste skills, Skiing difficult snow conditions, steep slopes, narrow gulleys and powder. OK so it's Nov 1st! Off Piste. But that's the great thing about skiing in the autumn. You can learn the skills for when the season kick's off. Do the ground work in the autumn and reap the benefits in during the winter. Well, it snowed and snowed and snowed. Off Piste and Powder Skiing in November was on. The video will prove it. powder in November!

Eurotest
Emma continues with the Eurotest training. Unfortunately fresh snow is not what the racers want! Two days off midweek is to say the least frustrating but the snow has to come sometime. Emma was able to transfer training over to Saturday and what a day. Clear skies firm hard packed pisted conditions and with a lane on Champagny, training was the best so far.

04/11/08
Snow Snow Snow Snow in Tignes

Hi folks, Phil Smith here, Snoworks Director. We've not been updating the bog for the last couple of weeks as our ski season has kicked off here in Tignes big time. That's me in the picture. Not here in Tignes but that's the sort of Snow that's been falling the last few days. We are full steam into our autumn courses. Performance, Race, Gap, Eurotest Training and Ski Instructor Training. So if you can, get yourself out here quickly and invest some time into your skiing before the winter season starts. We will be back updating you with what's happening here in Tignes from now on so keep coming back.

Our first week, October 25th was immense. The Piste Performance Course was fully booked. Deborah, Rick, Maria, Nick, Nuala, Jenine, Ian and Bill. The snow was immense for this time of year. It almost turned into an All Terrain Course with the amount of fresh snow on the glacier.

The Gap Course kicked of in True Gap Style! Second day into the course and it was out on the town for celebrations as their first winter season got under way. You can follow the full blog of the gap course with Lee Townend along with Gap Students; Ruth, Shona, Helen, James, Jonathon, Iona, Tom, Max and Chris on Facebook. Click this link:
snoworksgapfacebook

We're sure there are some more interesting links from the candidates themselves with pretty interesting photo albums being uploaded so we'll keep you posted as we get more details.

Our new first ever Junior Race kicked off with 4 takers. It was a real success. So if your kids are up for some race training keep an eye on the Snoworks calendar for the future. We pitched the Junior Race for 11 to 16 year olds and ended up with the two ends of the spectrum. Rory and Oliver at one end and Kate and Jessie at the other. What we thought was going to be a difficult week turned out great. kate and Jessie ended up with their own private instructor and Rory and Oliver ended up training with the guys going for their Eurotest!

Emma Carrick-Anderson our resident 4 time Olympic skier is again heavily involved with the autumn race training programme. The first week included Rowan, Georgie, Stuart, Max and Nicki. This first week was full on slalom training and from now on it's into Giant Slalom.

Stuart is still living in a dream world. Still thinking he may beat me in the end of week race. He's never forgotten that fluky win in a dual slalom last year. Role on Friday Race, payback time!

SEP 11
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

That's it folks - both our South American adventures are over for this year. As always, amazing trips. We have an expanded programme for South America 2009 which should be confirmed within the next couple of weeks.

Our next blog will be starting on Ocotber 25th at the start of our autumn programme. Please come back then.

SEP 11 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – OSORNO
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

The last day of this extraordinary adventure. We woke to perfect blue skies and no wind. An early start so we could get to the base of Osorno by 9am. From Puerto Varas you drive along the shores of Lake Llanquihue one of the largest natural lakes in South America. It spectacular scenery and one of my favourite destinations.

Osorno is one of the most active volcanoes in Chile with 11 historical eruptions recorded between 1575 and 1869. The upper slopes of Osorno are almost entirely covered by glacial terrain.

We arrived at the ski resort at the base of the volcano. Guido our guide went to check in with the Park Rangers who control the volcano and the rest of us prepared. Today we would require everything, skins, crampons, harness, ice axe.

Guido returned with some bad news. The access to the summit had been closed by government legislation. Apparently there had been some fallen rocks during the summer months and no one had re-opened the volcano. If Guido was to take a group to the summit he may be arrested. I suggested we contact the government direct and as we have travelled all the way from the UK and no doubt would be getting publicity for this trip on our return they may be able to grant us special access privileges. I could see both Cristian and Guido on the phone for some time and judging by the body language some hard bargaining was going on. 30 minute later, good news, we had been granted access.

We took a local snow cat as high as he could get us and from there on we were on our own. A French team were ahead of us. They had set off at 6am and were not aware of the restriction on access to the summit of the volcano.

The snow on the way up was perfect. The sun was warm and was softening the snow. It looked like we would have a great descent. The first section of the ascent is easy. Gentle slopes with good snow. As you approach the top the slopes became steeper. Today we were able to skin very high – to within 800 metres from the summit. From there it was skis off and crampons and axe on. Another 500 metres and steepness increases. We crossed an open area, pretty steep, and gathered around the last section. Guido would have to go ahead and set up a rope. 100metres of near vertical snow, then on to the top.

The summit is one of the best. Totally different to all the others. No crater just a huge dome.

Guido at the top of Osorno with Volcano Puntiagudo in the background

History says a long time ago when Osorno erupted the local chief had to sacrifice his beautiful daughter to the gods. Her and her lover hiked to the top of the volcano and her lover sacrificed both of them to the gods at the top of the volcano. At that point it begun to snow and did not stop. The whole volcano was covered in snow and the top became a round dome unlike most of the other volcanoes that have a crater at the top.

We stayed at the top to savour the atmosphere and take photos then descended back the way we had come up. We abseiled of the top for 100metres then hiked back down to where we had left our skis.

Bruce, Steve, Seren, Tom, Guido, Cristian, Brian. Phil (photo). Top of Osorno

The ski down was immense. The top section was the most perfect snow. Softened in the sun 20 cm deep. Beautiful and made the whole climb worthwhile. This amazing snow continued for a long way and then begun to harden. The lower section was firm enough to ski on the top. Powder to spring snow in one run.

Cristian enjoying the powder

Osorno is magnificent. The whole mountain to yourselves. Every run different, every run unique. No pistes, no other skiers, the most amazing backdrop. Just climbing and skiing this one volcano would make the whole trip worthwhile. We had come to ski 7, we reached the summit of 5 and we’ll be back next year.

A huge thank you to the Amity staff, Guido, Cristian and Alejandro and a big congratulations to the group; Brian, Seren, Bruce, Steve and Tom.

For any of you that went on the Chile Argentina trip in august and have a taste for climbing and skiing volcanoes – come next year.

SEP 10 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – VOLCAN OSORNO
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

‘The best things come to those who wait’.

We headed up from Peurto Varas to Osorno. Osorno has two ski lifts and a new road leading up through a spectacular national park. The forest is relatively new and has grown out of the volcanic lava from previous eruptions. It is at the side of the biggest Chilean lake, Lake Llanquihue.

We arrived with zero visibility and all lifts shut so in true Snoworks style it was into the restaurant for coffee. Rain continued then turned to snow, so we decided to head out. There was only one lift open serving very gentle terrain. The second lift opens up an enormous area. This is what is so great here. In Europe its 10 lifts up and one way down. Here it’s one lift up and endless ways down. To my surprise we were in untracked snow and not bad. This we can work with, so we continued for a couple of hours working technically. With visibility still pretty poor we headed in for a late lunch.

Late afternoon it looked like it may start to clear so we grabbed our skins and headed back out. Top of the first chair we decided to start skinning upwards. The cloud then suddenly cleared, we could see the whole of Volcan Osorno with untracked snow everywhere. The terrain is immense and as the cloud cleared I remembered why this place was so impressive last year. It’s a big volcano and like all volcanoes their round! Which in off piste terms means ENJOY.

We skinned for 1.5 hours at a good pace. It was late so no way where we going for the summit. The view here is immense, one of the most impressive of the whole trip.

It was about 4.30pm when we decided to ski down. Wow – untracked and unlimited. We decided to ‘spoon tracks’. In Europe it’s pretty important so you don’t trash the powder for the next group. But here we are the only group with a mountain of off piste to ourselves. For discipline we did it, so 8 sets of perfect tracks in off piste. You can more or less go wherever you want, changing aspects and gradients constantly. We were a bit late as the sun started to go down the temperature dropped and the snow begun to get firmer. But still the descent was magnificent.

We finished with smiles all around. Tomorrow is forecasted the best day of the whole trip and we will go for the summit.

SEP 9 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – ANTILLANCA
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

A late start today as we arrived at 2 am in the morning so a few weary faces at breakfast. Antillanca is a small ski resort with about 5 ski lifts but some great off piste terrain. Today is one of the easiest climbs of the whole trip. Another new route to the summit. We took the two lifts as high as we could then followed a ridge around to the far side of Casablanca Volcano. We were literally on the summit within 1.5 hours. Another big crater at the top. You can never tell what the summit is going to be like until you actually get there. We were here last year but were unable to get the full picture of the crater due to the weather. But today the whole crater was clearly visible.

Bruce, Seren, Guido, Steve and Tom on the top of Casablanca. (Photo Phil)

Another magnificent ski down broken into two sections with a small 30 minute skin in between. A late lunch and onto our final destination, Osorno.

SEP 8 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – HUILO HUILO
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

We woke up with the plan to head of to Antillanca and Casablanca Volcano but were surprised to find that the weather was completely different to the forecast. What was meant to be a wet cloudy day had turned out to be beautiful blue skies. A quick phone call and we re-arranged everything. We would go for the summit of Choshuenco.

We headed by 4 x 4 through the forest, transferred to the snowmobiles and before long had our skins on and hiking to the top. We took a different route to the day before and headed direct to Choshuenco. Choshuenco is unlike all the other volcanoes we climb. It looks like a rugged mountain with an impressive icy summit. We were able to get within 30 metres of the summit. From there Guido has to ice climb to the top set up an anchor point and safety line. We can then climb the remained with crampons and ice picks. The summit itself is a small ridge of only about 3 metres wide. Very spectacular. We all had to be roped to the anchor point at the top and only enough room for three of us.

Heading up along the ridge to the summit of Choshuenco.

We were looking forward to a magnificent ski down. But again the cloud came in and engulfed the summit. So it was a very careful ski down as a wrong turn and you could be off the edge of a cornice. Once below the cloud we were again rewarded with another alternative descent with magnificent snow conditions.

Back to the hotel, pack and a 5 hour drive to our next destination Antillanca.

SEP 7 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – HUILO HUILO
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

Weather looking good to attempt both Mocho and Choshuenco Volcanoes. We headed off to in 4 x 4’s through the forest to get as high as possible to the snow line. Here we switched transportation to snowmobiles and headed up to the base of the volcanoes. This year a new route has been cleared through the forest giving us quick access via the snowmobiles.

They are new into the itinerary this year. I was only joking when I said to the group I hope everyone is ok driving them! 10 minutes later we were been debriefed and we all doubled up grabbed a snowmobile, strapped our skis on and headed up through the forest to the base of the volcanoes.

The new route to access the volcanoes has opened up massive terrain that we have been unable to ski previous years. The terrain is immense.

We begun the skin up from the base and in 90 minutes we were on the plateau. Unfortunately luck was not with us. The wind had picked up and we were engulfed in cloud. Visibility was more or less zero. Guido had to call of the attempt on the summits and we headed back below the cloud. Our disappointment was soon rewarded with a magnificent ski down through previously unchartered terrain.

SEP 6 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – VILLARRICA
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

We had the possibility of another attempt at Villarrica with an alternative ski down. However we woke up to very cloudy weather, so a technical day on the slopes using the local lifts. Pack up and a 3 hour drive to Huilo Huilo.

Huilo Huilo is the most amazing destination. A Temperate Humid Forest of 144,000 acres with two volcanoes Mocho and Choshuenco. We stay in the Montana Majica. This year the owner has built a new hotel, the Hotel Baobab. Our august trip stayed in this magnificent hotel. Both hotels are designed to fit in with the natural environment. It’s difficult to describe the hotels except to say they are one of the highlights of the whole trip. For a more detailed look check out www.huilohuilo.cl

SEP 5 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – VILLARRICA
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

Woke up to the perfect day. Blue skies and no wind – so the summit of Villarrica was on. Villarrica has a small ski resort of about 10 ski lifts. It’s all relatively easy skiing but well maintained. There is one higher lift from where you can access some steeper skiing but this lift rarely works.

We took the lifts as high as we could donned our skins and away we went. From where we started we anticipated about 5 hours to reach the summit. The conditions were hard. The wind from the previous day had scoured the mountain. But with the sun at it’s hottest it was likely that the snow would soften for our descent.

Guido led the way with myself taking up the tail end. The first 30 minutes is always the most difficult. Getting in the right mindset for a 5 hour skin is critical. If you have tired legs from the day before the questions can begin to nag in your head. Can I do it?

The group got into a good stride and we were off. After 3 hours we reached the last section to the summit. From here its skins off and onto the backpack, crampons on and with ice axe at the ready we headed up the final slope.

In one hour we had reached the summit. Smoke was bellowing out of the crater. It’s an impressive sight. Villarrica is live. It’s how you imagine a volcano to be. The scenery is spectacular from the top. This is the forth time I have been up to the top and every time is special.

The wind had picked up and the clouds were starting to amass so unfortunately we could not stay on the summit too long. We headed around to the south face to see if this was skiable. The south face is seep about 40 degrees but with good snow presents no problems. Unfortunately it was quite firm, hard packed and a fall would have meant a slide of about 800metres all the way. With some big crevasses showing we decided it may be wiser to take the route we had come up.

Guido, Phil, Steve, Seren, Bruce and Tom on the summit of Villarrica. (photo Cristian)

We headed back down the way we came up for the first part then Guido suggested a new descent. Head further around to the east and into some steeper terrain. As we circled towards the east the sun had taken effect and the conditions was superb. The terrain was the best I have ever skied on Villarrica. Steep with some magnificent backdrops of ice walls. Wow - what a ski

Skiing untracked snow in terrain like this is why we come here. Us and the mountains, not a sole in sight. We had conquered Villarrica again.

SEP 4 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – VILLARRICA
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

After yesterdays event I suggested we should not attempt Solli Pulli as it may turn out to be the same as Tolhuaca. It’s a huge climb and mostly on flat slopes skinning. Our trip is about using skins to access great skiing. We had Solli Pulli in the itinerary as it’s a stunning skin through magnificent countryside. However as we had already attempted Tolhuaca I felt Solli Pulli would have been a repeat. The better option would be to head direct to Villarrica and go for the summit one day early.

We headed off again with blue skies on the three hour drive to Pucon. Arriving at the fabulous Antumalal hotel we called the resort to find out the whole ski resort was shut due to high winds.

A day off skis to relax and look around Pucon. We will attempt the summit whatever tomorrow.

SEP 3 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – TOLHUACA
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

Last night we had a discussion on the new destination Volcano Tolhuaca. I thought it would be best to head back up to lonquimay as we knew the conditions and the snow was so good. We could go for the summit again with a different route back down. The group liked the idea of heading off to another volcano. I was not so sure. I new we could only access to a certain height so we would begin way down in the national park. We would have to skin from there and Guido guessed that the ascent would take between 5 to 7 hours. That’s long.

So with clear blue skies and perfect conditions we headed off to Tolhuaca. As we drove through the national park the scenery was spectacular. Alejandro took us as far as he could. The volcano is certainly impressive. We were standing in the National park looking at Tolhuaca in the distance. We could also see the summit of Lonquimay which looked spectacular.

Tolhuaca looked a long way. We begun our journey. It had snowed low down overnight so we were skinning up a track on a few inches of snow. The track was a combination of snow and volcanic rock with the occasional stream! We were in a hurry so it was skin up, across, over, through literally everything. Guido new it was going to be a mission to get to the top so he was off, stay with him or your dropped. I took up the tail end. The group soon begun to split. I was with Brian and Cristian. We skinned through everything for about 2.5 hours. Then we begun to climb. As the temperature dropped we were in for a very unpleasant surprise. Our skins were soaked from crossing the many streams and the snow begun to freeze to the bottom. Soon the snow was piling up on the soles of our skis making every step forwards unbelievably difficult. I caught up with Seren and Bruce and made a decision that we would abort the attempt on Tolhuaca. The summit was still a huge distance away.

Volcan Tolhuaca

Guido, Steve and Tom were a fair distance ahead. They had to stop and dry their skins in the sun and then renew their attempt on the summit. Knowing Guido he would do everything possible to make it.

We headed back to the drop of point which was pretty interesting. Back the way we came only this time the new snow low down had melted. So it was skis off and walk. Oh dear. But the stunning scenery made up for it.

We got back to the pick up point to find that Guido had also abandoned his attempt and was coming back down a different route. 2 hours later they arrived back. Not the powder descent we had in mind at the start of the day but an experience never the less. We would have to come back another time for Tolhuaca.

SEP 2 –CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – CORRALCO, LONQUIMAY
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

Yes, clear skies. Well almost, we could see the base of the volcano and almost to the summit. Cloud was lingering over the summit but all signs were looking good. The snowcat took us as far as it could and we headed up from there. There are a few routes you can take to get to the summit. You can skin to the south facing ridge and then skis off and crampons on and head directly to the summit along the ridge. Or you can skin around to the south east face and skin all the way to the top. We chose the later. The slope begins fairly gentle and gradually increases to about 30degrees. As we progressed up it begun to snow heavier and heavier. Not good for the summit but the powder was the best I had seen on Lonquimay. Four hours and we were at the summit with snow coming down and visibility of about 20 metres. So no view but amazing conditions. We could not take the normal south face due to the visibility so we headed back down the same way we had come up and lower down cut around to the south face. It was the best powder I had ever skied on Lonquimay – wow. The visibility was never more then 20 meters so it felt as though you were in an endless tunnel of powder that went from the summit of Lonquimay all the way back to the lodge. An amazing descent.

SEP 1 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – CORRALCO, LONQUIMAY
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

Howling winds all night. It sounded like the roof of the lodge was going to get blown away. Woke up to gale force winds and torrential rain. The local schools in the area have had to close and there is reported flooding in many places. Access roads to Lanin have been blocked by landslides.

We did not even attempt to head out in the morning. When the weather comes in it can be pretty serious out there on the volcano. So more training in preparation but this time inside. Guido our guide set some ropes up in the lodge so the team could practise all their rope work which will be needed later on in the trip for Choshuenco and Osorno.

I did a technical chat in preparation for when we finally get up Lonquimay. So more of the Snoworks Twisting Pushing Edging, what skill where and what speed. Ski design, width and sidecut radius etc etc etc. In the afternoon the temperature dropped and the rain turned to snow. All the ski lifts were shut but keen as we are we donned the skins and headed out of the lodge into the blizzard.

We decided to skin up through the araucarias trees to maintain some visibility and headed as high as we could to a nearby ridge. I thought it would just be a warm up but Guido our guide does not do warm ups so up we went through the forest until we could go no higher. Skins off and we headed back down through the forest in some great powder and back across to the lodge.

AUG 31 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE – CORRALCO, LONQUIMAY
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor

Wow, the Patagonian weather as hit us big time. Gale force winds, blizzards and freezing temperatures. We were able to get the snowcat to take us as high up Lonquimay as possible so we could get some training in. No chance of getting to the summit today. One of the smaller lifts managed to open so were were able to get our ski legs. Back to the lodge for lunch, dry off, then we skinned up to a nearby peak to practice kick turns on steeper terrain. Early evening we sampled the hot springs and relaxed hoping for a break in the weather tomorrow.

AUG 30 – CHILE 7 VOLCANOES ADVENTURE
CORRALCO, LONQUIMAY
Phil Smith, Snoworks Instructor


We are here. Arrived this evening around 8 pm at Corralco Lodge, Lonquimay. 2 flights via Canada to Santiago followed by an internal flight to Temuco.

Corralco is an amazing place. This is my 6th year coming here on the trot. Corralco is a Lodge at the bottom of Lonquimay Volcano. We have the lodge and the whole mountain to ourselves as always. We arrived in the dark with the wind howling. It’s winter here in force at the moment. The forecast is for strong winds tomorrow then gradually dying down over the next couple of days with more snow coming in.

The itinerary is to spend the first day warming up and acclimatising however it looks like the only clear day we may get will be tomorrow so it could be in at the deep end and straight to the top of Lonquimay Volcano on the first day. We will see what the morning brings.

AUG 28 - CHILE 7 VOLCANOES
Phil Smith , Snoworks Instructor

We are nearly off. Tomorrow 7pm depart from Heathrow. Four of us are flying out. Bruce, Steve, Seren and myself. We meet Brian in Santiago and then on to Temuco to pick up Tom our Aussie snowboarder and meet our Chilean team of Guido and Cristian. 8 of us in total to climb and ski 7 Chilean Volcanoes over the next two weeks. It's a tall order. One volcano every two days! We start in Lonquimay which is on one of my favourite destinations of all time. A quick visit tomorrow morning before the flight to Martin Jefferies from suppleworx for a last minute stretch, massage and manipulation. Martin is my 'God' when it comes to sorting out injuries. If any of you have long term injuries check him out at suppleworx.com. He is a genius.

The snow has been falling big time. 1 meter this past week. Sunday and Monday are clear for our first two days then in comes the snow again for Tuesday. So perfect timing. Hopefully a warm up day on Sunday hitting the fresh snow and then go for the summit on Monday.

You can follow our progress on Facebook and post any comments.

AUG 25
Phil Smith , Snoworks Instructor

Our next trip is Chile 7 Volcanoes. I'll be heading out this Friday 29th August and plan to send back a daily blog of our trip. We still have two remaining places available. It's forecasted for 1 meter of snow this week! We are also taking reservations for Chile Argentina 2009 now. If you're after Adventure. Our next Adventure trip after the 7 Volcanoes is Japan in February.
see details

AUG 23 - CHILE, CORRALCO, VOLCANO LONQUIMAY
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

Our final day in Corralco was to be a half day ski and our internal flight from Temuco back to Santiago. Guido was given the morning off to scout out Tolhuaca Volcano for Phil’s trip in September (Book now places still available). Gareth took the skinning group to another untracked peak for a memorable final ski. Patrick, Ed, Clive, Jane, Norman and Laurence chose to have a free ski blast, whilst I took a brief carving clinic and then lead a short hike of 1 hour through the Araucarias trees to ski the south facing pitch and finish the skiing day with ‘The lightest powder I have skied in Chile’ Quote- Charles Griffin 3 times Chile Adventure client. Samantha Reed A.k.a. ‘Barbie’ chose not to ski and ended up taking a short ride on a local Chilean police horse.

Taking a later flight as suggested by team ‘07’ gave us this morning to ski and it was a magnificent way for all to sign off the skiing stage of Chile/Argentina adventure 2008. Back to the lodge for lunch, we packed the vans and made our way to Temuco for our evening flight to Santiago, signing out team 2008.

AUG 22 - CHILE, CORRALCO, VOLCANO LONQUIMAY
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

We awoke again on our last full ski day to another clear morning with both the sun and moon set dramatically behind our trophy of yesterday as we had breakfast the three groups plotted our day.

Guido and I took 2 groups on a short tour to the parasite Christmas crater. The 1 hour skin was a joy after yesterdays 5 hour march so I steamed ahead to set up our avalanche scenario. The clients found both transceivers in a matter of minutes and we then made the traverse and short hike to the summit of the crater. Smoke seeped from the volcanic rock and it was clear to us the animal within was grumbling. We then skied down the south face in virgin powder with fresh tracks for all with Ed Jennings giving an impromptu front flip! Whilst all this was going on Gareth took his group on many a traverse right and left of the chair lift and continued to enjoy fields of untracked snow and descended to the lodge for a fabulous lunch. On the final hike Guido took 3 to the right whilst I took the remainder to the left summit to enjoy one final pre lunch virgin powder decent. All skiers were now becoming highly skilled at ‘spooning’ the turns. Leaving our signatures on the mountain we went in for lunch.

The afternoon was a short ski around the lift area with the entire group followed by a 5pm departure to the relaxing Malalcahuello springs where the group continued to raise the bar in how long they could stay in the ice cold plunge pool with Kate Busschau finally taking the title with an amazing 6 minutes!

Onward to our unforgettable final meal at the local family home of Jose and Christina. This is always the way we finish the Adventure and is always a privilege and honor to dine and be hosted by these warm hearted friends of Amity and Snoworks. Presentations of gifts, speeches of thanks and Gareth’s gigantic 2 gallon bottle of Chilean red wine later the night was a success.

AUG 21 - CHILE, CORRALCO, VOLCANO LONQUIMAY
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

As the day broke we could not ask for better, the sun rose casting magnificent shading on what was to be this year’s trophy trip
‘Lonquimay Volcano’. We prepared ourselves with box lunches, crampons and water and headed to the hills. By 10am we were ready to start our ascent with Guido and myself leading the skinning group and Gareth hosting the walkers. The trip to half way was a delight as I swept Guido’s lead we took on magnificent views of the parasite Christmas crater and the lava fields of 95’s eruption. At the half way point Gareth took the walkers the direct route on the ridge to the summit with the crampons on. I took the lead for the skinners taking us up the 33 degree east face to the summit. All clients and staff arrived safely to the top. All 24 of us at 2865m lapping up views of the kilometer wide crater, Lanin volcano in the distance and Lliama still bubbling and smoking from its very recent activity. We then made our decent down the steep South face and after an icy start were treated to powder snow for the remainder of our 2 hour ski down. WOW!!! Again…
That evening was a celebration by all clients at the joy of their achievement with Gareth and I glowing quietly at our achievement of getting the first ever full group to the summit of this Volcano.

AUG 20 - CHILE, CORRALCO, VOLCANO LONQUIMAY
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

We awoke to another cloudy morning and made our journey north east to our final ski destination ‘Corralco’ a short 4 hour drive was enjoyed as the clouds started to part and the sun came out. We arrived in good time to have a quick lunch and head out skiing. We loaded up the bright orange army truck and chugged up to Snoworks private chair lift and ski resort. It had been snowing heavily and we were welcomed by fields of untracked powder glistening in the sun and not a sole to be seen apart from team Snoworks 2008, you can imagine how amazing our afternoon was…

AUG 19 - CHILE, PUCON, VOLCANO VILLARRICA
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

We started with an early breakfast on unfortunately another cloudy looking day, spirits still high we prepared and left for skiing, Guido unfortunately had to make the second ‘no climb’ call as visibility was zero. Disappointment ran through the group and as the snow came thundering down Gareth, Guido and myself pitched our ‘ski clinics’ and the clients chose their groups, we capitalized on the conditions and had a full days skiing on the lifts at Villarrica. Dinner back at the hotel was a magnificent fillet of fresh sea bass washed down with a local Chardonnay and the evening was rounded off by what felt like the world biggest game of ‘Peruda’(a south American dice game) eventually won by Kate Buschau.

AUG 18 - CHILE, PUCON, VOLCANO VILLARRICA
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

We awoke to a very cloudy day and with our 2 day window here in Villarrica Guido decided today was not the day to climb the Volcano, this therefore became the rest day and the clients were taken to White water raft on the Trancura River followed by a great lunch in Villarrica and then time to shop for Souvenirs and gifts, after a little down time at the hotel we then drove to ‘Huife’ to enjoy relaxing outdoor hot springs heated by underground volcanic lava and with most of us taking on the newly introduced ‘river challenge’ a dip in the fast flowing ice cold river next to the springs! With client Paul Coverdale taking it to a whole new level by staying in for 90 seconds! Dinner at the springs was soon devoured and we returned to the hotel for an early night in preparation for tomorrows climb.

AUG 17 - CHILE, HUILO HUILO
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

Day 2 in Huilo Huilo finds us on our first official free day, we offered the clients the chance to take a guided walk in the temperate rainforest with views of spectacular waterfalls flora and fauna, and I hosted another group to the high tree canopy course of ladders and Tyrolean style zip wires, great fun was had by all and the day a relaxing success after yesterdays achievement. Lunch at the hotel was fabulous with the chef taking pride in the presentation, we then loaded up the vans and made our way to Villarrica arriving in good time to watch the slightly cloud covered sun set over Lake Villarrica on the balcony of the Magnificent 1950’s built Bauhaus style Antumalal hotel later voted this years favorite by most clients (all though my vote goes to the Baobab in Huilo Huilo!)

AUG 17 - VILLARRICA / CHILE
Phil Smith , Snoworks Instructor

Touched base with Cristian this evening and he thought the weather will be good to try to make the summit of Villarrica either tomorrow or the next day. On snow-forecast.com the weather looks good for skiing (snow) but not so good to get to the top of a volcano. The hotel in Villarrica is fantastic, the Hotel Antumalal. One of our favourite's. Overlooking the Lake. You can check out the hotel at www.antumalal.com. This is one of the most amazing volcanoes. It's open top so you can literally see the lava at the top then ski down the outside on perfect snow. Molten lava inside and perfect skiing conditions on the outside. Chile the land of contrasts!

AUG 17 ARGENTINA / CHILE
Gareth Roberts, Snoworks Instructor

Here we are in Huilo Huilo in the fantastic new hotel Baobab. New for this year the hotel It is amazing. We got to the top of Volcano Mocho yesterday, started off raining but cleared to make a great trip up. It got a little cold and windy as we neared the top, a few cases of frost nip but everyone made it.

Everyone is off to the canopy this morning, Then off to Villarrica this evening. The weather is looking good for the climb either tomorrow or the day after. We will get a phone signal and internet connection in Villarrica so be in contact again then.
Cheers for now, Gareth & Lee

AUG 16 - CHILE, HUILO HUILO
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

After lots of deliberation and weather website study our guide ‘Guido’ a Swiss ski instructor and Chilean mountain guide whom gives off an aura that gives you trust, faith, and security he decide that today would be the day to attempt the climb of Volcano ‘Mocho’ we all geared up and where driven by our infamous driver ‘Milton’ to the base of the national park, we were then taken the next stage through the forests on a ‘Unimog’ an old army vehicle which took no prisoners as the road became steeper and snowier. Our next mode of transport was the brand new piste machine, we were the first party to be towed by this new machine and it took us above the tree line and towards the volcano’s Mocho & Choschuenco. The final leg of the climb was then to be done on foot and Guido headed off with our touring group and Gareth and I continued with the walkers. The weather did us proud, although very windy we had been lucky with clear spells and amazing views of the lake and volcanoes. All clients safely and successfully to the top including Ed Jennings celebrating his 18th birthday today, we prepared for the ski down and were treated to ‘the best snow ever on Mocho’ Quote- Norman Golding 4 times Snoworks Chile client, the previous rains had given us wide open fields of soft snow on a perfect ski hero gradient and all opened up the throttle and enjoyed there decent. A magnificent day was finished with a soak in the ‘hot log’ spa’s and Champagne for Ed’s 18th.
All clients Tired and elated we retired with the longing for tomorrows deserved day off.

AUG 14 /15 - ARGENTINA TO CHILE
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

After a fantastic meal of barbequed lamb in the ‘Pisces’ restaurant new on the 08 itinerary we stayed a third night in the ‘Cheminee’ and awoke to a powerful rain storm and exciting news that there was heavy snow in the hills, we loaded up the vans and made our way back across the boarder into Chile and crossed ‘lake Pirehueico’ on the local ferry where the majority took the opportunity to catch up on lost sleep, whilst Gareth took an equal opportunity to photograph people doing so!
Our arrival at the hotel in ‘Huilo Huilo’ (Giant Gorge) was met with the awe it suitably deserved and I feel no matter what words I choose it will not do this amazing architectural masterpiece justice, this year we were staying in the new ‘Baobab’ hotel an addition to the Montana magic we have used in the past, it is a 6 floor spiral upside down volcano! I told you I couldn't’t find the words! You will have to see it to believe it (book now for 2009!)
Check out www.huilohuilo.cl

AUG 12 / 13 - ARGENTINA
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

We arrived late afternoon into St Martin de los Andes, an Argentinean town with great ski shops, restaurants and craft markets and settled into the ‘Hosteria de Cheminee’ this year Snoworks had the place to ourselves and they have a newly installed spa pool and Jacuzzi.
After settling in we dined out in a local restaurant on specialties such as Wild boar, trout and Dear Ragout. We Skied the following two days in the largest of the ski stations we visit, ‘Chapelco’ which hosts excellent access to off piste and tree skiing and is owner to the only 6 man cable car in south America, this lift clearly once earned its keep in the French Alps and as we rode up it the groups split again 3 ways with Gareth taking a group tree skiing, myself taking a group to the top lift to access the steeper off piste and Guido taking a session on 360’s!!! Another fabulous 2 days skiing by all and the Powder and trees in our second Argentina ski station where suitably skied out by team Snoworks 2008.

AUG 10 / 11 - ARGENTINA
Lee Townend, Snoworks Instructor

We woke to more snow falling and made the short journey to ski
‘Cerro Bayo’ the first of our 2 Argentinean resorts where we skied fresh powder all day with the lake as a breathtaking scenic backdrop,
My group and I arrived at a chair lift that was closed to be informed it would open in 5 minutes, we waited and where then treated to untracked powder for everyone and took video in order to ‘Capture the experience’ a magnificent welcome to Argentina skiing was celebrated with a ‘Pisco sour’ and a relax in the hotel spa.
The following morning we made for a quick getaway to catch the first lifts and where again treated to fresh snow as more of the resort lifts opened and with our guide ‘Guido’ taking his group to skin to the summit the morning was one to be remembered, lunch in resort followed by the amazing journey through the plains of Patagonia viewing emu, wild boar and condor to name but a few.

Heading up to the summit of Cerro Bayo

AUG 08 / 10 - CHILE
Lee Townend Snoworks Instructor

The next morning we enjoyed an impressive buffet breakfast and traveled to our first ski area of Antillanca, new on the 2008 twinberry, the snow had been falling for 2 days and we had the hill almost to ourselves with the exception of the Chilean army. With just 5 lifts the access to fabulous off piste skiing was waiting, we enjoyed the south facing slopes of ‘Haika’ and team Snoworks 2008 started to find there ski legs. Day 2, We skied Antillanca again until midday and then made our way across the border into Argentina and to the ‘Dos Bahias’ hotel set on the banks of lake Nahuel Huapi.

Hotel Dos Bahias on the banks of Lake Nahuel Huapi

AUG 07 / AUG 08 - CHILE
Lee Townend Snoworks Instructor

We flew from Heathrow to Toronto and then to Santiago with Air Canada whom where a fantastic carrier, unfortunately with a delay we missed our connecting LAN flight to Puerto Montt, later catching connecting flights that evening all clients and staff made it to the first destination on time. The magnificent Hotel Antillanca, a 5 star hotel on the banks of lake Puyehue in the lakes and volcano district of southern Chile.