Andes and Arpa Cat Skiing Tour 8 days

Tour Description:

Variety is the key word in this sensational ski tour.  You’ll ski central Chile’s top resorts—Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado, and Portillo—and discover the wonderfully varied terrain, superb high-mountain conditions, and awe-inspiring scenery for which these resorts are famous. Then you’ll make fresh tracks with Ski Arpa, South America’s only snowcat-serviced resort. A two-hour drive from Santiago but a world away, Ski Arpa offers extraordinary ski opportunities in a pristine and dramatically beautiful area in the shadow of Mt. Aconcagua, at 22,841 feet (6,962m) the western hemisphere’s highest mountain. The more than 12,000 vertical feet (3,657m) you’ll ride will make Ski Arpa an unforgettable backcountry ski experience. To top off your Southern Hemisphere ski odyssey you’ll travel south to the world-class Termas de Chillán resort, situated at the base of Volcán Chillán, an active volcano of 10,243 feet (3,122m). Set in beautiful native forest, this world-renowned ski and spa resort offers awesome lift-accessed and off-piste skiing and superb views.   

Highlights

• Guided Ski Resort Tour
• Cat Skiing El Arpa
• El Colorado Ski Resort
• La Parva Ski Resort
• Portillo Ski Resort
• Valle Nevado Ski Resort
• Termas de Chillan Ski Resort
• “Hacienda Los Lingues” winery
• The cosmopolitan and dynamic city of Santiago

Day by day itinerary

Day 1 Santiago – El Colorado. A KL Expeditions driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to KL Ski Shop for equipment supply.  We drive up a spectacular mountain road with views down to Santiago and up into the high Andes, a trip of approximately an hour. Following a full day of skiing and boarding on the slopes of the El Colorado cone, your driver will transfer you to the Powder Lodge in Farellones, a picturesque mountain village a fifteen minute drive away. (You’ll keep your ski equipment with you for the duration of your trip.) 
Max Altitude: 10,935 feet (3,333m) – Min Altitude: 7,972 feet (2,430m) – Vertical Drop: 2,962 feet (903m)

Day 2 Farellones – La Parva – Valle Nevado. You’ll ski all day in the outstanding Valle Nevado and La Parva resorts, with stunning views of the high peaks of the central Andes. Back at the Powder Lodge in Farellones, you’ll top off a great day on the slopes relaxing in the hot tub. 
Max Altitude: 11,909 feet (3,630m) – Min Alt: 9,022 feet (2,750m) – Vertical Drop: 2,887 feet (880m) (La Parva)

Max Altitude: 12,040 feet (3,670m) – Min Alt: 9,383 feet (2,860m) – Vertical Drop: 2,647 (810m) (Valle Nevado)

Day 3 Farellones – Portillo. Early in the morning early we’ll set out for the Portillo Ski Resort. The trip is a beautiful drive along the Aconcagua Valley and up the international road that links Chile and Argentina.  Portillo offers excellent runs for skiers of all abilities as well as challenging off-piste skiing and awesome scenery. In the evening you will be transferred to your hotel in Los Andes, which as its name implies, is a town nestled in the foothills of the Andes mountains.
Max Altitude: 10,898 feet (3,322m) – Min Alt: 8,234 (2,510m) – Vertical Drop: 2,664 feet (812m)

Day 4 Ski Arpa Cat Skiing. From Los Andes we drive to the Ski Arpa base camp, Rancho Avalanchas, a stone lodge situated at 8,825 feet (2,689m). You’ll make up to four trips to the summit of the resort, located at an exhilarating 12,270 feet (3,740m), by snowcat.  You’ll carve countless powder turns in the 3,500 vertical feet (1,050m) you’ll descend, while condors circle overhead and the high summits of the Andes stand sentinel above you. In the evening we transfer you to your hotel in Santiago.
Max Altitude: 12,270 feet (3,740m) – Min Alt: 8,825 feet (2,689m) – Vertical Drop: 3,500 feet (1,050m)

Day 5 Santiago – Winery – Termas de Chillán. Today we head south to our destination at the Termas de Chillán.  We’ll travel through Chile’s wide, fertile Central Valley, planted with orchards and vineyards, a spectacular backdrop provided by the snowy peaks of the Andes mountain range to the east.  We’ll break our journey with a visit to the famous Colchagua Valley, voted the world’s best wine region of 2005, with its neat vineyards, picturesque colonial architecture, and impressive mountain vistas.  We’ll visit the Hacienda Los Lingues, have lunch, relax, and watch a horse show.  Continuing on to Chillán, we’ll wind our way up the mountain through beautiful native forest, home to flocks of chattering, brilliant green slender-billed parakeets.  Reaching our hotel we’ll settle in.

Days 6 and 7 Termas de Chillán. For two entire days you’ll enjoy world-class skiing and outstanding views. In contrast to the rugged, treeless mountains near Santiago, you’ll reach this world-class ski and hot spring resort by traveling up through beautiful native forest, home to flocks of chattering, brilliant green slender-billed parakeets.  Chillán’s skiing is sensational both on and off-piste.  We particularly recommend the Tres Marias run, a sublime 13 kilometers in length. In the evenings you’ll relax in hot tubs.
Max Altitude: 7,217 feet (2,200m) – Min Alt: 5,577 feet (1,700m) – Vertical Drop: 1,640 feet (500m)

Day 8 Termas de Chillán – Santiago.  Returning to Santiago, we’ll drop you off at your hotel.  And Andes & Arpa Cat Skiing tour comes to an end!  
 

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Ski Tour Details

Service Included

• Professional Ski Guide.
• Ratio 1:7 (1 Guide for every 7 Skiers).
• All local organization and supervision by KL Expeditions Staff.
• Semi-Private transfers the entire tour including airport pick-up (airport minimum 2 persons required).
• Private groups for 4 persons with deluxe transfer service in a LAND ROVER 4x4 DISCOVERY III car.
• Hotel 2 nights based on double occupancy half board in Farellones.
• Hotel 1 night based on double occupancy half board in Los Andes.
• Hotel 1 night based on double occupancy half board in Santiago.
• Hotel 3 nights based on double occupancy with half board in Termas de Chillan.
• Lunch At "Hacienda los Lingues" winery.
• 7 Ski Picnics.
• Full day cat skiing at El Arpa snowcat-serviced resort.
• Lift pass for all ski resorts visited.
• First aid kit.

Service not included

• Clothing and ski accessories (gloves, goggles, ski-pants, ski suits etc…).
• Any beverages (soda, beer or wine) in the cities and during transfer days.
• Dinner in Santiago.
• Any costs involved in an early or late departure.
• Cancellation, accident and rescue insurance.
• Cash for extra expenses.
• Gratuities.
• Any other service not listed above.

Important

• All itineraries are subject to change due to changes in the weather, group dynamic & the guide’s criteria.
• KL Expeditions is NOT responsible for weather and road conditions, lifts operations.
• Full Ski set equipment (ski, boots & poles) are available in KL Ski Rental shop with a 10% discount.
• KL Expeditions reserves the rights to upgrade the tour by using higher Hotel standard without any extra cost.
• Semi-Private transfer means that you can share the van with a group that signed for “Andes Skiing Tour” program (up to 14 persons).
• Any departure can be re-scheduled with a minimum of 6 persons.