Downhill Holidays Dossier 2001-02

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In this new century why not ski or board on a new continent?

'Andes' are now offering a program of downhill snowsport holidays in South America. The resorts in Chile have good powder at high altitude, with plenty of clear sunny days. The resorts are very much quieter than Alpine or US resorts - you will probably never have to queue. The snow is at its best in August and September, the southern hemisphere winter. These holidays are quite different from our main trek and expedition program in that they are entirely hotel and restaurant based. Rather than just ski one resort we will visit four of the best resorts in Chile - Chillan, Valle Nevado, La Parva and Portillo. We will ski or board in each area for two days plus make a single day visit to the smaller resort of El Colorado.

Chile now has some fine winter resorts, used by national ski teams from the US and Europe for ‘summer’ training camps. There has been considerable investment in the resorts in the 1990’s and the general standard of the resorts is very good; almost all of the tows and lifts are modern pomas or 3-4 person chairs. The resorts are generally the size of mid-sized Alpine resorts.

However pistes can be less well groomed than they are in Europe or the USA. New snow may lie ungroomed for longer, obstacles may be less well marked and there are sometimes rocky sections on the pistes.

The price of lift tickets is not included in our price. These vary between resorts and depend on the day of the week you’re skiing, but are around $25-$35 per day.

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The main part of your holiday will be based in the three winter resorts closest to Santiago, known as the Tres Valles. These three resorts (Valle Nevado, La Parva and Colorado) are now linked by a system of lifts, though each resort provides more than enough skiing or boarding for a day or two. The resorts are on open slopes well above the tree-line (actually its a cactus line in this part of the Andes!).

Each of these resorts is of an international standard, with plenty of long runs and a good percentage of advanced pistes. The skiing is generally between 2800 and 3800m above sea level and we're expecting lots of good dry powder. Highlights include some steep couloirs, long off-piste runs at all the resorts and virtually empty pistes.

We will be based in chalet style accommodation in La Parva or Farellones while here. Evening meals and breakfasts here are included in the price.

The very cold dry conditions and the high altitude of the Chilean resorts produce a lot of good powder snow. Portillo receives an average of 3m in a season. With generally cold temperatures the snow rarely deteriorates through the day, even on the sunniest days. In the lower resort of Chillan the climate is a bit damper and the snow can be heavier and occasionally crusty or slabby to ski.

La Parva

These holidays will fly out to Santiago and we will be based in our hotel here for a one or two nights at either end of the trip. There will be some time to explore this fascinating city at the beginning and end of the holiday as well as between trips to the pistes. Santiago, the capital of Chile, is a large city of some five million people but is one of the most pleasant and relaxing cities in South America. The people are friendly, there are many parks and wide avenues. There are plenty of good restaurants which will give us an opportunity to load up with calories and wine before the skiing.

CLIMATE

Chile generally has very stable winter weather more like the continental USA than the European Alps, but there is obviously a chance of some bad weather and snowstorms while we’re there. Windy days can also be a problem in the Andes. In the resorts near Santiago sunny days are very common.

Valle Nevado

Flights from London to Santiago, cost from £600. We normally arrange these for you through our travel agents, Journey Latin America (ATOL 2828) at very competitive prices. We make no charge for this service and many customers find it convenient as we then all fly out on the same plane. If you prefer you can arrange flights yourself to fit in with the holiday.

Visas are not necessary for British citizens, but you should have a full passport valid for at least six months from the date of travel. If you will not be using a British passport please make this clear when booking.

While we are staying in Santiago, Chillan and near Portillo accommodation will be in clean and secure hotels with hot showers. We normally use small family run hotels with a friendly atmosphere. Continental breakfast is included with this accommodation. Evening meals during this phase of the holiday will be eaten in local restaurants at your expense (about £10 for a meal with wine).

When based in the Tres Valles above Santiago we use chalet-style accommodation. Breakfast and tasty evening meal (but not cordon bleu!) are included with this accommodation.

Lunches throughout the holiday are at customer expense. There are cafes on the pistes at all the resorts, or our leader can help organise pack lunches.

Chile is one of the most well developed countries in South America and the standard of hygiene is generally as good as at home. You would be unlucky to get an upset stomach or diarrhoea. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid and polio are recommended. The country is very safe and relaxing to travel in; theft and muggings are as unlikely as they are in most British cities. Everyone who visits Chile is surprised by how much like a part of Europe the country is.

We will provide a British leader with suitable skiing or snowboarding experience to co-ordinate and lead the group.

SKI AND SNOWBOARD HIRE

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