PowderQuest - Frontier - Las Lenas

Valle Nevado Ski Resort

Valle Nevado, Chile is famous for powder skiing, and phenomenal views of the Andes Mountain Range.

This ski resort offers us great days to explore the steeps, bowls, and fantastic views under the shadows of the Andean Condor frequently seen soaring above us. In Valle Nevado, you can ride as high as 3,670 meters (12,400 feet) above sea level.

If you want the chance to fly, Valle Nevado offers Heliskiing on the nearby peaks right out side the door of it's ski in ski out lodgings.

Valle Nevado is fully set up for freestyle and freeriding with it’s big air, boardercross, and epic backcountry. The Burton Snowboard Team shot their catalog here, and for the past several years, Valle Nevado has been the only Latin American site to host the FIS Snowboard World Cup.

• Ski Resort Location: Central Chile
• Ski Resort Elevation: 2,880m (9,450ft) to 3,670m (12,040ft)
• Ski Resort Vertical Drop: 790m (2,590ft)
• Ski Resort Inbound Terrain: 21 Runs
• 15% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced, 15% Expert
• Lifts: 12
• Valle Nevado Hotels:  Hotel Tres Puntas, Hotel Puerta del Sol, Hotel Valle Nevado
• Backcountry Access: Excellent
• Heliski: Yes
• Annual Snowfall: 315 inches (800 cms)

La Parva Ski Resort La Parva is part of Chile's "Three Valleys", along with Valle Nevado and El Colorado.
La Parva quickly climbs to 3,630 meters (11,910 ft.) and has great access to off piste terrain including steep chutes like La Chiminea, deep powder bowls, and cornices. It also provides a clear shot to nearby peaks and world-class backcountry lines like Cerro La Parva, El Plomo, and more.
The views of the Capital of Chile, Santiago on a clear day are amazing!
La Parva means "the haystack" in Spanish. Since hay is for horses and powder is for us, we won't get into it. Just trust us when we say the skiing and snowboarding is excellent.

• Ski Resort Location: Village of Farellones above Santiago, Central Chile
• Ski Resort Elevation: 2,670m (8,759ft) to 3,630m (11,909ft)
• Ski Resort Vertical Drop: 960m (3,150ft)
• Ski Resort Inbound Terrain:
• 20 Runs, 15% Beginner, 45% Intermediate, 30% Advanced, 10% Expert
• Lifts: 14
• Backcountry Access: Excellent
• Heliski: yes
• Annual Snowfall: 300 inches (762 cms)

Testimonials "Had a blast! The guides did a great job even with variable conditions they found the goods. 'Hikin Mike' pushed everyone so we could experience the best terrain.  Definitely a must for any true adventure seeker." Mike Angier

El Colorado Ski Area Chile

The cone-shape peak of the Colorado ski area in Chile offers fun lift access terrain, but most of our time here will be taking advantage of the fact that El Colorado, linking with Valle Nevado and La Parva offer South America's largest resort and amazing back country ski terrain. Colorado backcountry skiing trips Include skiing road runs on Santa Tere (Santa Teresita or Santa Teresa) and more.

El Colorado, one hour from Santiago, Chile and just steps away from the village of Farellones has steep lines dropping throughout the cliff bands seen from Valle Nevado.

The East face of El Colorado's cone usually has the best snow, as the Andean winds deposit large amounts of snow here.

• Ski Resort Location: Village of Farellones, Central Chile
• Ski Resort Elevation: 2,250m (9,022 ft) to 3,333m (10,934ft)
• Ski Resort Vertical Drop: 903m(2,965 ft)
• Ski Resort Inbound Terrain: 25 Runs
• 15% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 35% Advanced, 10% Expert
• Lifts: 16
• Backcountry Access: Very Good
• Heliski: Available at Valle Nevado
• Annual Snowfall: 300 inches (762 cms)

Testimonials

"We had a terrific experience on the slopes as we as a great introduction to Chile.  Accomodations and food were top notch!  Thanks for creating a wonderful memory!"

Brett Oblon

Portillo Ski Resort

Ski Portillo Chile is often ranked as one of the 10 best ski resorts in the world by Ski Magazine, Warren Miller, and the Travel Channel.

Portillo ski runs are steep and require a special, two-of-a-kind lift.  Skiers and snowboarders can traverse to unbelievable terrain such as the steep, powdery Primavera Run. It was on one of these expert runs that the 200km speed barrier was broken.

Portillo lodging guests are left in bliss with endless untracked powder, often for days, and also has some of the best bluebird spring conditions we have seen in Chile.

Days are yours, free to explore the open slopes with your ski guides, via the 13 chair lifts, hiking the "Super C" and other chutes above the mystical Inca Lake, or even heli-skiing with Frank Coffey of Chugach Powder Guides of Anchorage, Alaska

• Ski Resort Location: Near city of Los Andes, Central Chile
• Ski Resort Elevation: 2,510m (8,240ft) to 3,350m (10985ft)
• Ski Resort Vertical Drop: 835m (2,745ft)
• Ski Resort Inbound Terrain: 23 Runs
• 20% Beginner, 30% Intermediate, 20% Advanced, 30% Expert
• Lifts: 13
• Portillo Lodging: Hotel Portillo, Octagon Lodge, and Inca Lodge
• Backcountry Access: Very Good
• Heliski: Yes, Bell B3 Helicopter
• Annual Snowfall: 265 inches (673 cms)

Ski Arpa Cat Skiing

Praised as one of the best experiences in skiing on the planet by Ski Magazine, El Arpa cat skiing has endless acres of advanced and expert freeride terrain reached by founder Toni Sponar's snowcats. Every time we have cat skied at Arpa, there have only been a dozen skiers and snowboarders to share over 5,000 acres of Andes powder! 

It is truly an unforgettable adventure.  From the cactus and goat filled snowy-dirt road journey, to the deep powder turns, all the way to the end with a cold beer overlooking one of the Andes most spectacular sunsets.

As one of the only ski resorts with out accommodations, Arpa is hands down one of the best out of the way snow ski resorts on Earth.

"Imagine 5,000 acres of mostly expert terrain, two cats that can hold a maximum of 24, but average 4 people per day at the entire ski area. We´re talking about 2,300 vertical feet per run with views of Aconcagua and the green valley floor filled with vineyards, cactus and goats."

Vanessa Pierce

Powder Magazine

Testimonials

"Thank you for a fantastic trip. Arpa is one of the most amazing places I have skied.  The Asado was a great ending to an awesome two days. Mike I thought you did a great job again as a lead guide. Your experience really shows!"

Andrew Curry

Las Lenas Ski

Words simply cannot describe some of the terrain Las Lenas Argentina has to offer!

Las Lenas ski resort offers fun skiing for intermediate to experts.  However, the incredible part is the Marte chairlift, servicing terrain that has become a mecca for extreme skiing and snowboarding.  From the steep bowl directly under the Marte chairlift, to Eduardo's 48-degree Couloir, and literally hundreds of chutes 40-50 degree plus, some people have said they would give up every chairlift in South America, for the Las Lenas Marte! 

Throw in the snowcat tours, and easy backcountry touring access, you are in paradise for steep terrain junkies looking for the ultimate Andean buzz thriller.

If you still have legs after a day on the mountain, Argentina's famous late night bar and disco scene live strong here in the Las Lenas Valley. It is not uncommon to see folks pouring out of the discotheque as you are about to make your first powder turns of the day! This leaves Las Lenas literally crowd free for hours.

It is indeed an unreal experience, including Las Lenas lodging the Piscis, Escorpio and Aires hotels and we get you there for a solid week of some of the best alpine terrain, extreme skiing, and powder on Earth!

• Ski Resort Location: Las Lenas Argentina Near Malargue, Mendoza Province of Argentina
• Ski Resort Elevation: 2,240m (7,349ft) to 3,340m (11,253ft)
• Ski Resort Vertical Drop: 1,100m (3,904ft)
• Ski Resort Inbound Terrain: 35 Runs
• 5% Beginner, 35% Intermediate, 25% Advanced, 35% Expert
• Lifts: 13
• Top Las Lenas Lodging: Piscis, Escorpio, Airies Hotel
• Backcountry Access: Perhaps some of the best in the world
• Heliski: Available
• Las Lenas Annual Snowfall: 250 Inches (635 cms)

Frommer's Argentina guidebook says: "PowderQuest Tours offers packages popular with North Americans and Europeans. A 7-night package includes flights from Buenos Aires and excellent guided English-language tours for a few days of wine touring in Mendoza."

Testimonials

"By now everybody knows that Las Lenas Ski Resort is the sickest resort in the Southern Hemisphere, with enough vertical and lift-serviced terrain to keep you busy for years."

Josh Howell

Travel journalist

"The Marte chair lift is enough to keep anyone occupied forever.  I've never seen anything like it!"

Mark Shesser

4 star hotels, private bath

• 3 nights in San Esteban
• 2 nights in Farellones
• 1 night in Mendoza
• 5 nights Las Lenas

A guided Off Piste trip for advanced and expert skiers and riders to the best of Chile and Argentina including special lift line, off-piste and cat ski priority in Las Lenas!

This 12 day classic starts near the town of Los Andes, Chile where our comfortable hotel is strategically based between Portillo, one of the world's best ski resorts and fantastic cat skiing with El Arpa SnowCats!  After a few days of powder we are off to the resorts of Valle Nevado, Colorado and La Parva, with over 25,000 acres of terrain.

We fly across the massive Andean frontier to the beautiful city of Mendoza, Argentina.  After a festive night on the city, our journey continues as we visit one of Mendoza’s deluxe vineyards, tasting Argentina’s famous red wines before arriving to 5 days of some of the best skiing on Earth in Las Lenas, Argentina!

Trip Highlights

•  Special lift line, off-piste and cat ski priority in Las Lenas
• 12 day-guided tour in Chile and Argentina
•  8 guests maximum, Always 2 expert ski guides on every trip
•  Expansive off piste - backcountry skiing near Valle Nevado, La Parva, Portillo, Arpa Cat Skiing, Las Lenas
•  Ski the best powder in South America including Las Lenas, Argentina
•  Cat skiing day at Arpa SnowCats, recently ranked as one of the best experiences on the planet by Ski Magazine
•  Distinct cultures and landscapes of Chile and Argentina
•  Lunch and wine tasting at one of Mendoza's top vineyards
•  Night on the town in Mendoza, Argentina
•  Fantastic breakfast, dinners and red wine included

Quick Tour Itinerary

Starts: Santiago, Chile

Ends: Santiago, Chile (or if you prefer, Mendoza, Argentina)

Day 1: Fly into Santiago, Chile, meet your PowderQuest guides, drive to hotel near town of San Esteban, check-in, group and trip intro, dinner

Day 2: Breakfast, avalanche safety session, ski Portillo and its famous terrain with your guides, apres-ski, dinner

Day 3: Breakfast, adventure skiing at Arpa SnowCats, apres ski, dinner.

Day 4-5: Breakfast, days skiing off piste around La Parva, Colorado, Valle Nevado, dinner, hotel in Farellones.

Day 6: Breakfast, morning ski, drive to airport, fly to Mendoza, Argentina (included in trip cost), hotel check in, dinner on the town.

Day 7: Breakfast, travel to Las Lenas with a lunch stop at local vineyard with lunch and wine tasting.

Day 8-11: The ultimate South American ski experience in Las Lenas!

Day 12: Breakfast, drive to Mendoza for our evening flight to Santiago for connecting international flights

Arrival-Departure Flight Schedule

Please schedule your flight to arrive on Day 1 no later than 9:00 AM.  The group will meet the guides at the airport at 10:00 AM and depart to the mountains.  If you cannot arrive by 9, we suggest flying in the previous day. We can arrange hotel and ground transfers.

Round trip flights Santiago-Mendoza-Santiago are included with your trip price.

The trip ends on the evening of Day 12 at 7:20 PM when we arrive to Santiago airport on our flight from Mendoza.   You can schedule your flight out that night, or our agents would be happy to arrange an extended stay. Santiago offers wine tours, coast trips, bike touring, cultural tours, and more.

Dates-Prices

$5,695 usd

2011:

August 30-Sept 10

2012:

August 28-Sept 8

*Price per person, based on double occupancy.  Single travelers can be placed with a roommate or request a single room upgrade for $1,595

Trip Includes

• Maximum 8 guests
• Always 2 certified bilingual ski guides
• Ski lift tickets
• SnowCat skiing at Arpa
• Avalanche Safety Introduction
• Off-Piste and Backcountry guiding
• Priority lift line access Las Lenas
• Comfortable lodging, private bath
• Delicious breakfasts and dinners
• Red wine, mineral water at dinner
• Round trip airfare Santiago-Mendoza
• Wine tasting and lunch at a Mendoza vineyard
• Private transportation
• Adventure trips, massage, spas, etc. replacing lift tickets on weather days, except in Las Lenas

Not Included

• Arrival and Departure flight
• Visas or Passport fees
• Required travel insurance
• Lunches and snacks
• Required equipment

Amenties

• Adventure trips, massage, spas, etc. replacing lift tickets on weather days, except in Las Lenas
• Wine tasting and lunch at a Mendoza vineyard

Extras

• Required Equipment: Rentals Available

• Delicious breakfasts and dinners
• Red wine, mineral water at dinner
• Wine tasting and lunch at a Mendoza vineyard

We are a USA based company with logistical operations based in The Andes year round giving us first hand knowledge of what's happening locally. Recommended by The Wall Street Journal & Recommended by Frommers, Fodors, Moon Handbooks, numerous top magazines and newspapers 

Experience and Professionalism

• 13 years experience
• A team of certified ski guides recognized by: International Federation of Mountain Guides Association, the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, the Canadian Ski Guides Association, and the Canadian Avalanche Association
• Introduction to Avalanche and mountain safety taught by certified professionals

Group Dynamics

• 8 guests per tour maximum!
• Outstanding ski guide to guest ratio.  2 guides on every tour!
• Only tour company with all itineraries separate for distinct ability levels
• Plus, separate trip focuses to match your riding style and how you like to spend your day on the mountain
• These points allow us to ski the most vertical, literally lapping other tour companies

Plus

• Priority lift line, cat ski and off-piste access in Las Lenas
• Complementary red wine and mineral water with dinner on most trips
• Outstanding breakfasts and dinners
• Cozy lodging
• Private Transportation
• Fun, original, culturally intensive itineraries tested for over a decade
• Additional activities: Hot springs, horseback riding, rafting, kayaking, caving, wine tasting, and more.

Required Equipment - Rentals Available

• Backpack (29-35 liter) with external harness straps for carrying skis or board
• 457 Khz avalanche transceiver
• Avalanche snow shovel
• Avalanche probe
• Collapsible trekking poles for snowboarders

Flights to Chile and Argentina

LAN, American Airlines, Iberia, British Airways, Air Canada and Delta are a few of the airlines with daily flights to Chile and Argentina. If you have a connecting flight once you arrive in Santiago (airport code SCL) or Buenos Aires (airport code EZE), be sure to arrive early enough to meet your connecting flight.  

In Buenos Aires you often need to change airports that involves a 1 to 1.5 hour trip across the city.  If connection times are tight, we suggest you arrive a day early, spend the night, and continue to your final destination the following morning. We have many hotels and transportation services we can book for you.

Passports and visas

A passport, valid for at least 6 months is required for citizens from most countries (U.S. Canada, most Western European countries). A few countries are required to have a visa issued by the Chilean Consulate. It is important to check with the Chilean or Argentine Consulate in your country on the latest visa requirements. www.embassyworld.com

What To Expect

For most of us who are from North America or Europe, we are used to and expect that things run smoothly. We are not only on time but usually at least 5 minutes early. With the exception of trains, buses and flights, Chilean and Argentine services are not known for their punctuality. We provide the following information in good faith so you will have a clear picture of what to expect before you arrive.

Mountain Safety

Ski Patrol in South America is not up to international standards. This goes not only for hasty assistance on an injury, but also snow safety. For this reason PowderQuest uses certified guides recognized by international guide associations. Groomed runs are not what you find in Aspen or Vail, and mountain hazards and boundaries are not marked as vigorously as you find at home.

Off Mountain Safety

As our guest, your safety is a priority to PowderQuest both on and off the mountain. Security in Chile and Argentina, even in the larger cities is quite safe. Common sense should be used, especially in busy city areas where pick pocketing can occur.

Health

Chile and Argentina are two of the most modern countries in Latin America. With quality foods, no yellow fever or malaria, and an abundance of well-stocked pharmacies (including personal items for women), the only discomforts travelers occasionally have, are upset stomachs and a temporary bowel disorder. This is common with travels anywhere in the world, and can be avoided by drinking bottled water, avoiding side salads, and uncooked foods.

Ski Resort Infrastructure

Overall expect later starts than you are used to at home. The 7:00 tram line up simply does not exist in the Andes. Most ski resorts open by 9:00 am but full mountain operations can be delayed until mid-morning for no apparent reason. When there is fresh snow or a current storm, these delays can be even longer. However, due to longer natural light, you can also ski later into the afternoon in South America. Some resorts do not stop running lifts until as late at 5:30 to 6:00 pm.

The ski resorts in the Andes vary from modern with millions of dollars in infrastructure to rustic areas with little more than a small cafeteria and a few tow-lifts. In many ways, we find this positive. This is not written to discourage you from visiting this beautiful part of the world, however, if you are accustomed to North American ski resort amenities, you will find the infrastructure of some resorts we visit more rustic, especially the speed and layout of the ski lifts. South America simply runs on a different pace.

The good news is, we find it all evens out. Some lifts may be slower, however 45 minute lift lines are virtually non-existent in the Andes. In addition, you do not have thousands of skiers fighting for those untracked powder runs. If you come down with an open mind you will find this part of the world fascinating and quite often comfortably relaxing!

Our Resort Focus Tours visit the most modern resorts of Catedral, Portillo, Valle Nevado, and Chapelco while our Off Piste Focus and Backcountry Touring Focus tours visit these areas and the lesser known resorts as all areas access amazing off piste and backcountry terrain and the lift infrastructure is not as important. Snowboarders should expect to encounter long traverses to access some of the better terrain at several ski resorts.

It is important to note that in Las Lenas, the famous Marte chairlift gets you to some of the best lift accessed terrain in the world. However, Marte does close due to anything from high winds, avalanche danger and cold temperatures. When Marte closes, so does a good amount of the advanced and expert terrain. Other resorts occasionally have lift closure issues as well but do not affect us as much as a Marte closure.

Weather 

Weather forecasts are available and our guides are competent in understanding weather maps and local forecasts. However weather is not an exact science and the info available is not like in North America and Europe. Sometimes just like anywhere, forecasts are completely inaccurate.

There may be days that there is so much wind or snow that lifts close. Portillo, Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado, El Arpa and Las Lenas are 100% alpine, meaning no trees. When the visibility is poor due to a storm or low clouds it is very difficult to see and for safety reasons we may choose not to go out.

Although we do not refund money for unused lift tickets, we do cover the expenses of alternate activities when it is not worth going riding. We have many fun optional activities tucked up our sleeves for when these glitches in scheduling occur. Not a good day for riding in the mountains? How about a day of surfing in the Pacific Ocean, or a relaxing massage, or perhaps exploring Patagonia on horseback instead?

Road Conditions

Sometimes road conditions are poor due to rain, snow, mud etc. Heavy snow and high winds can quickly stack up snow on the roads we travel. Maintenance can be slow so there may be times when you find yourself delayed on leaving our hotel in the morning, stopping to put on chains, or outside pushing the transfer through a tricky spot on the route. The roads to Portillo, Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Arpa cat skiing are especially tricky due to heavy wind transport of snow during a storm.

The roads to El Arpa, Termas de Chillan, Villarrica Pucon, Corralco, La Hoya and Cerro Bayo are dirt roads. Dusty when it is dry and snowy and muddy after a storm.  4x4 is needed on the Road to El Arpa Cat Skiing.

Communications

Cellular phone coverage, WIFI, Blackberry and general internet access are surprisingly good. We have tried our best to secure accommodation on most tours in areas where there is internet access available but some locations it is either unavailable or slow at best. Take this in stride and revel in the luxury of being disconnected for awhile!

Off Piste Focus Tours Suggested Packing List

• Skis or snowboard (recently tuned!) (We suggest an “all mountain” type ski with a waist between 80-95mm)
• Bindings (extra binding screws are a good idea for snowboarders) 
• Boots (good idea to carry on plane if you can. Renting boots is not fun!)
• 29 Liter backpack minimum (up to 35 Lt is ideal) with suitable external harness
• straps for carrying your skis or snowboard. 
• Hydration system or water bottle to fit in your backpack (we prefer water bottles) 
• Collapsible ski poles for SNOWBOARDERS 
• SNOWBOARD leash to attach your board to your leg (system still mandatory at
• certain ski resorts in South America!) 
• Avalanche Transceiver (Rentals available) 
• Avalanche Shovel (Rentals available) 
• Avalanche Probe (Rentals available) 
• Portable tool kit for loose binding parts 
• Small Headlamp (extra batteries) 
• Padded ski or board bag. Yes, padded!!(Da Kine makes great travel bags with
• wheels for skis or snowboards. Both leave enough room for the rest of your gear!

Base layer

• Polypropylene long underwear
• Wool blend socks

Warm layer

• 1 wool blend sweater or fleece jacket or vest

Outer layer

• Wool stocking hat (Beanie or Toque) 
• Neck gaiter/ face mask 
• Wind/waterproof shell with hood (Gore Tex ) 
• Snow pants 
• Ski gloves or mitts ( Da Kine) 
• Sunglasses and ski goggles (Smith is our favorite) 
• Sun block (AT LEAST #30 protection factor) and lip balm.

Clothing

• Underwear
• Socks 
• Long Pants (2 pairs) 
• T-Shirts
• 1 or 2 collared shirts for dinners (Portillo Resort requires collared shirts at dinner)
• Light leather or waterproof boots or shoes 
• Shoes (casual to wear out) 
• Bathing suit for hot springs, spas and pools. 
• Rain jacket (YOUR SKI JACKET CAN WORK FOR THIS) 
• Hat

Personal items

• Personal first aid kit to include at least the following:
• Aspirin and anti inflammatory 
• Antacids 
• Moleskin and band-aids 
• Imodium
• Light weight toilet articles and personal medications
• Prescription medicine 
• Personal items for women 
• Soap and shampoo(small)Hotels also provide these complementary 
• Large plastic garbage bag for wet clothes
• Ear plugs for light sleepers

And of course

• Camera (extra battery) 
• Airline tickets 
• Passport/visa(w/photo copy carried separately. Also leave a copy with
• someone at home) 
• Credit card. BANK automatic cash machines work the best 
• Credit card cancellation phone number 
• Starting cash in U.S. dollars 
• $ Cash entry fee paid at customs upon arrival to Chile (Check with the
• Chilean consulate in your country for appropriate fees. They tend to change
• throughout the year!) 
• Small travel clock alarm for those early powder days!

Good ideas

• Helmet 
• Rub on Ski Wax and P-Tex 
• Pocket Knife (Be sure to pack this in your checked baggage) 
• SMALL ADDRESS BOOK with e-mails and phone numbers 
• SPANISH phrase book
• A good paperback book 
• Journal or diary 
• Pen 
• MP3 or portable CD player, good tunes
• Converter and plug adapters 
• Small lock for your bag 
• Plastic zip ties 
• Luggage id tags
• Energy snacks

What's an Off-Piste Trip?

The perfect combo of ski lift serviced off piste terrain and short hikes beyond the ski area boundaries away from the crowds, accessing pristine backcountry with certified ski guides.

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