Argentina & Chile 2010 Ski Season info

Hit the powder-packed ski slopes of Chile and Argentina then taste the world-class wines of the region.

Argentina

The idea of combining a week’s skiing at Las Lenas with a few days at the Mendoza wine region has become a popular choice for visitors to Argentina.

Sergio Begue, founder and trip leader for Andes Ski Tours, says, “Guests usually spend about a week in Las Lenas ski resort and then head north to stay in a luxury lodge in the vineyards of Mendoza for wine tasting and gourmet meals.”

Mendoza is one of nine cities worldwide in the network of “Great Capitals of Wine”, and the city is an emerging wine tourism destination and base for exploring the hundreds of wineries in the region.

Sergio adds, “Argentina’s wine district is better developed than Chile’s, it is close to the city of Mendoza and its international airport and offers a lot more when it comes to accommodation options.”

Mendoza is the main viticulture zone in Argentina, recognised by the most famous Malbec all over the world, with a grape production that represents the 60 percent of the total cultivated area in Argentina. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes, its vineyards are some of the highest in the world, growing at 1300 metres (4265ft).

Package: Andes Ski Tours is offering the seven-night “Ski & Wine Argentina” package costing $3950 (USD) per person, including five nights’ in Las Lenas ski resort; two nights in Mendoza wine region; domestic flights; transfers; and most meals. The package is valid Aug. 5, 12, 26

Chile

Visitors to Valle Nevado, El Colorado, and La Parva, in the ‘Three Valleys Chile’ ski region, can enjoy wine tasting excursions to the nearby vineyards of the Maipo Valley.

The Maipo Valley is the most widely cultivated valley in the Valle Central region and is known for Cabernet Sauvignon.

The largest producer of Latin American wines, Concha y Toro, has vineyards in Pirque, just outside Santiago, which are open to tour groups. The tour of the winery includes a visit to the vineyards, shop, and wine bar with obligatory wine tastings. Concha y Toro produces several different wine styles including a Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc made from grapes in the Maule Valley.

Package: Chilean Travel Serves ‘CTS Turismo’ is offering the five-night “Ski Three Valleys And Wines” package priced at $988 (UDS) per person. It comprises five nights’ lodging with breakfast at a hotel in Santiago; three full-day ski excursions in the Three Valleys (a day in each of the resorts: Valle Nevado, El Colorado, and La Parva); lift passes, equipment rental, and a group ski lesson; a visit to the Concha y toro winery; and bus transfers. The package is valid between June 15 and Sept. 30 and the price is based on two people sharing a double room.

Wine Tasting Promo: In celebration of Chile’s world renowned wines, this winter Portillo will be hosting the “Wine Fest Promotion”, which is free to guests staying a minimum of seven nights from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4.

During this week, guests can enjoy wine tastings and a complimentary one night’s stay at the Ritz Carlton Santiago with transfers to Portillo.

Martina Diez-Routh, a representative for Ski Portillo, says: “Each afternoon in Portillo guests will learn about the different wines of Chile, talk to the winemakers, and taste the best wines. All of this comes at no extra cost.”

More about Skiing in South America

As spring and summer sun melts the snow in the Northern Hemisphere, savvy skiers pack up and travel south to the great ski centers in South America where the ski season begins in mid-June and runs to October. You’ll find the best conditions in July and August.

The skiing in the southern Andes of Argentina and Chile is world famous. There’s also snowboarding, heli-skiing and superb runs.

In Argentina, the best skiing is in where the resorts around Bariloche offer varying possibilities. You’ll find more skiing in other areas of Argentina, most notably in province, at the resorts of Las Leñas and Los Penitentes.

You’ll forgive me if I’m a trifle biased in favor of the skiing in Chile for that is where I learned to ski. Not at the famous resorts such as spectacular Portillo but in my own backyard of Sewell. I did ski however at La Parva and Farellones.

You’ll find the various Chilean Ski Areas offer the perfect mix of good runs spectacular views and a wonderful atmosphere. You can choose a week of skiing in Portillo then move on to Valle Nevado. There are interconnecting trails which make it easy and fun to enjoy a number of runs and conditions. And the scenery is fantastic! You wont want to miss the fun at El Colorado, Chile’s biggest ski resort, with the best ski runs.

Farther south, popular ski resorts are at [Villarica-Pucon, where you’ll see Osorno, the famous volcano. The Termas de Chillan, La Burbuja and El Mirador present different conditions and offer varying degrees of tourist amenities but all provide more great skiing.

There are more places to ski in South America, of course. Bolivia’s ski center at Chacaltaya boasts of some superlative conditions but doesn’t offer the amenities many skiers prefer. The northern Andes of Peru offer ski mountaineering, and Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela have smaller ski areas but the tropical environments surrounding them aren’t as conducive to great skiing conditions.

No matter where you ski in South America you’ll enjoy great snow superlative vistas and friendly welcomes. Why don’t you send us a trip report or rate your experience with a Reader Review?

Good skiing! And don’t forget to check the skiing packages and deals listed in Ski South America resources and the ads on this page.
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SOURCES:

“Taste The Andes: Ski And Wine Tours”
May 10, 2010 Alicia Taylor, Executive Editor, Europe
OnTheSnow.com

http://www.onthesnow.com

http://www.onthesnow.com/news/13/a/12231/taste-the-andes-ski-and-wine-tours

“Ski South America!”
From Bonnie Hamre, former About.com Guide
About.com

http://gosouthamerica.about.com

http://gosouthamerica.about.com/cs/sportsabout/a/SkiingSA.htm