Chile Argentina 2010
August 14th to 30th 2010
Unique to Snoworks this Argentina and Chile extravaganza. Your chance to explore skiing in the Southern hemisphere. This once in a lifetime trip includes 2 resorts in Argentina, 4 resorts in Chile, national parks, live volcanoes, stunning scenery and a magical atmosphere. Pitched to skiers from adventurous level 4's to level 6's with a full instructional program on and off piste with Snoworks instructors, mountain guides for off piste and for the adventurous the chance to ski from the top of 5 volcanoes. This is a truly amazing trip.
This is a totally different trip to those offered by the main tour operators specialising in South America. This is Chile and Argentina Snoworks style. We have deliberately not included the mainstream resorts in this Chile and Argentina extravaganza. The main ski resorts are high, above the tree line and purpose built. They are similar to a European purpose built resort. If it is purely skiing you are after then these resorts will offer you this no different to their European counterparts. If it's an experience and adventure you are after then read on.
We have developed this programme in conjunction with our South American partners Amity Tours, run by Cristian and Alejandro Levy. Their philosophy is to offer visitors to their country a unique look into the Lakes and Volcanoes District. This district is located between the mountains and the sea and completely un spoilt. Their commitment as a company is to contribute to the sustainable development of the region through the practice of "responsible tourism".
This commitment implies giving a high degree of importance to the values of local people, reflected in the use of local guides, the selection of lodgings in locally-owned accommodations and the carrying out of our activities in wild protected areas. All their efforts aim to help the protection of the environment and to maintain the income generated by tourist activities remains in the local area.
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
ITINERARY
DAY 01 AUG 14
DEPART FROM EUROPE TO CHILE
See flight details below.
DAY 02 AUG 15
ARRIVE IN SANTIAGO CHILE, FLIGHT TO PUERTO MONTT TRANSFER TO ANTILLANCA
ACCOMMODATION: PUYEHUE HOTEL & SPA (5*)
We arrive at Santiago in Chile and take the internal flight south direct to Peurto Montt. Transfer to the hotel Puyehue Hotel at the foothills of Antillanca. This is a magnificent 5* hotel in beautiful surroundings renowned for it's hot springs. Dinner at the hotel and pre trip briefing.
Note: The local flights in Chile have a luggage allowance of 20kg. You will need to pay excess if your baggage exceeds this. There is an allowance for ski equipment charged at 3kg (approx £2 per kg).
DAY 03 AUG 16
SKIING: ANTILLANCA & CASABLANCA VOLCANO
ACCOMMODATION: PUYEHUE HOTEL & SPA (5*)
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
We take a drive up to Antillanca Ski Resort. The drive up is through the magnificent National Park Puyehue with stunning scenery. We will spend the day skiing on the slopes of Antillanca. Antillanca has a reasonably well developed lift system for southern Chile. Three years ago on our 7 Volcanoes trip the skiing here was one of the highlights of the trip. There are numerous pistes and some easy access to some great off piste skiing using the lift system. For the adventurous there is the chance to ski from the top of Casablanca Volcano. For this year we are hoping to take the snowcat directly to the base of Casablanca Volcano. From here it's either a fabulous off piste ski back to the ski resort and for the adventurous the possibility of a relatively short hike to the summit of Casablanca.
Guido on Casablanca with Volcano Puntiagudo in the background
Casablanca in the moonlight - off piste heaven. See any tracks?
DAY 04 AUG 17
SKIING: ANTILLANCA & CASABLANCA VOLCANO
TRANSFER: TO VILLA LA ANGUSTURA, ARGENTINA
ACCOMMODATION: HOSTERIA DOS BAHIAS
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
We can ski until mid afternoon in Antillanca on and off piste using the local lift system. For anyone wishing to climb to the top of Casablanca who did not do so the day before you may get the opportunity to do so today. After skiing we’ll leave Antillanca in Chile and head across the Andes to the border and into Argentina. It's a three hour drive to the charming village of Villa La Angostura where we’ll have dinner and stay overnight in Hosteria Dos Bahias. This is a stunning hotel perched on the side of a magnificent lake. The Hotel Dos Bahias is always voted as one of the favourite hotels of the whole trip.
The outstanding Hotel Dos Bahias
DAY 05 AUG 18
SKIING: CERRO BAYO SKI CENTER
ACCOMMODATION: HOSTERIA DOS BAHIAS
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
Today we’ll ski Cerro Bayo, a small ski center located in the Bayo Hills surrounded by native forests facing Lake Nahuel Huapi. The experience at this Resort is quite different with a local touch that makes it very special. You can ski on and off piste using the lift system or take a short hike up to the summit where you can access some fantastic off piste skiing. Last year the group had outstanding powder in Cerro Bayo and was one of the highlights of the trip. In the evening we'll head into Villa La Angostura for dinner with a second nights lodging at the outstanding Hosteria Dos Bahias.
The energetic ones hiking to the top of Cerro Bayo for the untracked powder fields!
DAY 06 AUG 19
SKIING: CERRO BAYO SKI CENTER
TRANSFER TO SAN MARTIN DE LOS ANDES
ACCOMMODATION: HOSTERIA LA CHIMINEE
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
Another chance to ski Cerro Bayo. We can ski here until mid afternoon on and off piste using the lifts and anyone feeling energetic and adventurous can hike a little to access some great off piste.
Phil Smith, Snoworks Director off-piste at Cerro Bayo checking out all the routes.
We’ll have a late lunch at the ski center and then head off to San Martin de Los Andes which is a four hour drive through the Argentinean Patagonia. Accommodation at Hosteria La Cheminee in San Martin, another charming Argentinean resort. We’ll head into town and have dinner in a local restaurant.
DAY 07 AUG 20
SKIING: CERRO CHAPELCO SKI CENTER
ACCOMMODATION: HOSTERIA LA CHIMINEE
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
A full days skiing at Cerro Chapelco. Cerro Chapelco is the biggest resort so far with some great all round skiing. There's skiing above and below the tree line so if the snow comes in we can get some great skiing in amongst the trees. We've had some great skiing in powder through the trees the past few years. Lodging at Hosteria La Cheminee in San Martin, dining in town.
DAY 08 AUG 21
TRANSFER TO HUILO HUILO, CHILE
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL MONTANA MAGICA OR BAOBAB
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
We leave Argentina and head for Chile so no skiing today. After an early morning breakfast we’ll drive along the Lacar Lake until we get to the Chilean border. Getting through the border is quite an affair and can take time. We’ll continue driving for a few kms after the border to the Pirihueico Lake on the Chilean side and board a ferry boat that will take us across the lake. This is a magnificent trip with spectacular scenery.
The crossing from Argentina to Chile along the Pirihueico Lake
After two hours we’ll arrive at Puerto Fuy and the protected wild area of Huilo Huilo. Here we’ll check in at the Montana Magica Lodge. You would have never seen a hotel like this before and won't believe your eyes. Situated at the edge of the Huilo Huilo National Park the hotel is amazing. A local band will welcome us with traditional Chilean music and dance. Dinner will be at the hotel. We were the first foreign group to use the hotel. Last year the group stayed in the new Hotel Baobab, an architectural masterpiece linked to the Montana Magica. Accommodation will be in either one of the hotels.
Hotel Montana Magica. An amazing sight at the edge of the Huilo Huilo National Park. Spectacular!
DAY 09 AUG 22
SKIING: HUILO HUILO – MOCHO & CHOSHUENCO VOLCANOES
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL MONTANA MAGICA OR BAOBAB
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
Today we’ll experience the fantastic adventure of a possible two volcanoes in one day, Mocho and Choshuenco. After an early morning breakfast we’ll take a truck and go off-road through the native forest until we reach the snow. This is truly an outstanding trip and one of the highlights of the whole tour.
Unique ski transportation! Heading up to the base of the Volcanoes by Unimog
Our own private piste machine taking us up to the base of the volcano's
A Piste Machine will be waiting at the start of the snow to take us for a long ride to a plateau at the base of both volcanoes. There are no ski lifts so skinning and hiking are the only ways to reach the top of both volcanoes so it’s a day for the adventurous. The views from the top are absolutely amazing overlooking the Lanin and Villarrica volcanoes.
View from the top of Mocho Volcano with Villarrica in the background.
The group nestled at the top of Choshuenco Volcano. Untracked powder beckons!
The ski down will be a fantastic experience. Two years ago for the 7 volcanoes trip they had opened up a new route through the forest lower down and this gave us the opportunity to vary the descent. It was one of the best skis we have ever had here. We’ll be back at the Lodge around 6 p.m. and upon our arrival there will be outdoor hot-tubs carved into tree trunks ready for us to sink into and relax with a glass of Pisco Sour! Dinner and lodgings at Montana Magica Lodge or Baobab.
After skiing debriefs the Chilean way, with obligatory Pisco Sour!
DAY 10 AUG 23
HUILO HUILO
SKI HUILO HUILO / OTHER ACTIVITIES / TRANSFER TO PUCON
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL ANTUMALAL
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
Today we can take another opportunity to ski Mocho and Choshuenco if we were unable to the day before. If we were then it's a day off skis embarking on some other adventurous activities in the Huilo Huilo National Park, such as canopy, trekking or horseback riding. Lunch in Huilo Huilo followed by a drive to Pucon. Accommodation at Antumalal Hotel with a Chilean BBQ. The Antumalal is a fabulous hotel with a unique character perched on the banks of Lake Villarrica with spectacular scenery. The Queen and price Philip have even stayed here!
DAY 11 AUG 24
SKIING: PUCON & VILLARRICA VOLCANO
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL ANTUMALAL
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
Pucon is one of Southern Chile's premier destinations. It is well developed with a number of ski lifts and bustling town. Early in the morning we'll head to the Pucon Ski Center located at Villarrica Volcano. Skiing on the local slopes using the lift system it's a day for technical development. You can make the most of the slopes working on your skiing with a Snoworks instructor.
For the energetic and adventurous, if the weather permits, you'll have the chance to hike up to the top of Villarrica Volcano and reach the active crater, another highlight of the whole trip. The crater is amazing and the views from the top are spectacular. In 2006 the crater was so active you could see the laver bubbling away! The ski off-piste all the way down is exceptional. This is a hard day if you choose to climb Villarrica (6 hours) and you can do it with or without touring skis and skins. For those who have made the climb before, it has made the trip. It's a stunning achievement which will stay with you for a lifetime. We've managed to get all levels to the top and ski down from adventurous level 4's upwards.
In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner in one of Pucon’s best restaurants. Even an evening out 'on the town' in Pucon if you have any energy left!
At the summit of Villarrica Volcano. This is a trip not to be missed. An open top Volcano with the most amazing views
The ski down from the top of Villarrica, spectacular!
DAY 12 AUG 25
SKIING: PUCON SKI CENTER
HUIFE HOT SPRINGS
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL ANTUMALAL
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
A free day without guides or instructors at your leisure. You can choose to go skiing at Pucon Ski Center, try a second attempt to get to the top of Villarrica if we couldn’t make it the day before (with our instructors and guide); or do some other activities such as rafting on the Trancura River or visit Pucon and its surrounding areas. In the afternoon you can go to Huife Hot Springs, a thermal center located by the Liucura River and surrounded by stunning native forests, enjoy a buffet dinner at Huife’s restaurant and then head back to Pucon. Lodging in Antumalal Hotel.
DAY 13 AUG 26
TRANSFER TO CORRALCO
SKIING:
CORRALCO & LONQUIMAY VOLCANO
ACCOMMODATION: CORRALCO LODGE (no single rooms)
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
An early morning departure for Corralco and Lonquimay Volcano. Lodgings are at our own private lodge at the base of the volcano in incredible surroundings amongst a whole forest of Araucarias trees. This is a really special place and one of the guests favourite's. We take over the whole lodge ourselves. We should arrive on good time to ski in the afternoon.
Lonquimay Volcano with the famous Araucarias trees.
DAY 14 AUG 27
ACCOMMODATION: CORRALCO LODGE (no single rooms)
see 2008 Chile Argentina Blog
Corralco only has two ski lifts but who needs more when you have the whole place to yourself with unlimited skiing! The great thing about volcanoes is they're round so if you have fresh snow you just keep traversing and take a new line every run.
Two choices today skiing on and off-piste using the local lifts with our instructors or if weather conditions permit, the energetic and adventurous can attempt to ascend the Lonquimay Volcano and reach its massive crater. It's a tough hike to the top but well worth it. The views from top are magnificent, overlooking the fantastic peaks of the Andean Araucania such as Sierra Nevada, Llaima and Lanin.
It's a great ski back down with a few possible routes. We normally take the south face with the best snow (remember it's the southern hemisphere so the opposite way around to Europe).
Only two lifts, but no complaining when every run is fresh tracks!
Emma Carrick-Anderson testing out the quality of the Chile Powder!
DAY 15 AUG 28
SKIING: CORRALCO (morning only)
TRANSFER TO SANTIAGO
ACCOMMODATION: IN SANTIAGO
We head off to Temuco Airport to catch the flight to Santiago at 13.00hrs. So we should (if the timings stay the same) be able to get our last ski in this amazing place in the morning. Then it's transfer to a hotel in Santiago and out on the town to celebrate! Cristian will have organised an excellent restaurant in Santiago, a knees up and then crash out!
DAY 16 AUG 29
DEPART FOR EUROPE
If you've booked the Air Canada flight (details below) then you'll have a chance to look around Santiago in the morning and have lunch in one of the cities hot spots. The transfer to the airport is arranged to arrive at 16.00hrs. If you've booked an earlier flight then a private transfer can be arranged (details below).
DAY 17 AUG 30
ARRIVE LONDON
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