Ski Chile 2018

[Casey E]

La Parva is skiing well, all things considered. Cool temps solidified the base, which where groomed, are good packed powder, which deteriorates as the day wears on and the curse of the pebble-peppered pistes raises it’s ugly head. Best get out early.

Snowmaking on Las Flores (needs it)


Snow park is in good shape


And a new groomer surfaced from the gloom.

[skiandgolfnut]

Reality beginning to sink in. Forecast looks pretty atrocious between now and the 11th. No snow and worse warming temps. Warm temps, a 15 inch base, and no snow in 3 weeks seem like its going to be pretty darn shitty. Gnarbro any silver linings from Portillo other than we will eat pretty well for a week?

[Casey E]

Things are definitely looking dicey for the Central Zone (Portillo to Chillan). As of now, the deficit of rain to date is between 40% and 60%, reflected in the minimal base, and the forecast looks dire. Further south, there is more snow, but deficits are also present, more in the order of 25%. The only ski area that publishes base data is Antillanca and they say:



The snow forecast as it stands:

[idahospud]

Reality beginning to sink in. Forecast looks pretty atrocious between now and the 11th. No snow and worse warming temps. Warm temps, a 15 inch base, and no snow in 3 weeks seem like its going to be pretty darn shitty. Gnarbro any silver linings from Portillo other than we will eat pretty well for a week?

I'm at Portillo now and, yeah, there have been more and more rocks visible every day. I've found some fun patches of decent snow on southern exposures, but it's mostly been groomers and laps on Roca Jack which has somehow stayed chalky and fun.

Gnarbro will have better and more balanced insight, though - I'm just thrilled to be skiing in August.

Booked on the heli for Friday... I haven't heard a bad report from that yet.

[Casey E]

If anyone is still interested, this is what the Cerro La Parva bowl looked like today from the top of Las Tortolas chair.



You can´t see the tracks in the bowl in this photo, but there were at least a dozen nice ones, in most of the visibly skiable areas. The snow is still powdery, alternating with crud. Flat spots and more northerly exposures are sun damaged. A nose for sharks is handy.

[mtndave]

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. I will arrive in Santiago in 3 weeks, staying in Las Condes area and hope the conditions improve. Sounds like LaParva has the best conditions among the resorts close to Santiago? Who do you recommend for renting ski gear and a shuttle service? The Ski Total reviews appear mediocre with poor rental equipment.

[EssjaywhyNZ]

Regarding lean cover,
well Im in the same boat come Saturday...
but hey,
lean snow and Sun is always better for a ski trip
than nonstop storms & nada

always an exception to this rule
and thats Hokkaido where you want blizzards every day and dont wanna see the sun ...

see ya round for a vino tinto after ... work

[gnarbro365]

Well, the hot tub is pretty sweet!

But idahospud is right, chalky bumps laps on Roca from 10-2 and the day condor from 2-close. Been pretty fun with all the gringos around.

Some forecasts are just hinting and a small shot of snow mon/tues, but I’m very wary because the same system keeps getting pushed back every few days.

Sunshine, bikinis, and burgers at Tio Bobs...I almost feel like I’m back in Tahoe!


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[skiandgolfnut]

I would gladly sign up for that...im not greedy. my trip in 2015 was the same, last week of August and I had a blast. I love spring skiing and would prefer it to snow and no visibility every day.

Wouldnt be worried if coming down tomorrow...Just hoping by the 11th and through the 18th it's not significantly worse than it is this week and everything stays open. Last year in early august portillo sent out emails offering refunds and the base was double what it is now. Don't know what I'd do if offered.

Thanks for the updates

[gnarbro365]

I would gladly sign up for that...im not greedy. my trip in 2015 was the same, last week of August and I had a blast. I love spring skiing and would prefer it to snow and no visibility every day.

Wouldnt be worried if coming down tomorrow...Just hoping by the 11th and through the 18th it's not significantly worse than it is this week and everything stays open. Last year in early august portillo sent out emails offering refunds and the base was double what it is now. Don't know what I'd do if offered.

Thanks for the updates

I understand the concerns. Everyone I have talked to says this year “feels different.” From what I can gather, it has been consistently colder than last year.

[Casey E]

It is not common for a polar high pressure system to get stuck on the central zone for so long, steering the fronts south. What will happen after this Monday night special ends, and 20-30cm falls, is probably a minor temp spike and then who knows? I think there is a good chance of a storm of some sort once a week or 10 days through Sept. The ski áreas could scrape by with that, as the base above 3,000m will continue to build for the most part. But it could still just dry up, so finicky is the rain god these days.

My plans are to ski LP Tuesday and Wednesday. Then we are looking at Rio Teno/Alto del Padre for 2-3 days between Aug 15 and 19. Anyone who wants to join in, PM me.

[comish]

Sunshine, bikinis, and burgers at Tio Bobs...I almost feel like I’m back in Tahoe!
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Come on, you know the drill, Pictures or it didn't happen

[gnarbro365]

Come on, you know the drill, Pictures or it didn't happen

Not sure anybody on here wants to see my hairy ass in a bikini, but I'll try and deliver for you.

[gnarbro365]

Good to ski with you today, idahospud...unfortunately I only snapped one picture from the day and you look tiny.

[skiandgolfnut]

I am assuming that is heli.... looks like plenty of snow to me how much that run? I may need to do that.

[gnarbro365]

I am assuming that is heli.... looks like plenty of snow to me how much that run? I may need to do that.

Portillo charges by the run. It is on their website, but I believe it is $325 for the first run and $200 for each one after that.

Depending on when you’re here, it may be tough to get a spot. We typically only run three groups/day with 4 clients in each group. Check in with Alfredo as soon as you arrive to see if there is space available.

[CallMeAl]

Well, idahospud, was it worth it? Give us some details!

I'll be at Portillo 8/12-8/17...

[idahospud]

Well, idahospud, was it worth it? Give us some details!

I'll be at Portillo 8/12-8/17...

100% worth it. The heli has access to aspects and elevations that you just can't get at the resort, with corresponding snow conditions. Importantly, Gnarbro is a good dude, a solid skier, and definitely knowledgeable about the mountains, as are his guide cohorts. He's also as hairy as he claims to be, so for those who want bikini shots from Tio Bob's, well, good luck.

Gnarbro: great to meet you and ski with you. It'd be rad if our paths crossed during the northern winter and we could take some runs when you're off the clock.

And a few pics, because what's the point otherwise?

[MakersTeleMark]

That is a very nice cap to my evening, thank you.

Enjoy your backwards flushing bowls of awesome, and thanks for sharing!

[sierra__softman]

@idahospud did you book the heli through the resort? I'm headed South Aug 7-25, mostly around Villarrica/Lanin/Argentina. But the photos look like hanging out in Portillo for a day or two could be pretty sweet.

[Casey E]

What is on the horizon ...





Then clearing

[MakersTeleMark]

I think you are going to enjoy your hump day.

[Alvaro]

went there yesterday,skied pretty cool lines in the border with argentina, but for the best stuff you need to wait till a little snow melts or to have a good team to shovel 200 mts of the road to lagunas de teno that are full of snow.

terrain near the road to lagunas de teno

section of the road covered by snow

terrain near the border we ended up skiing

It is not common for a polar high pressure system to get stuck on the central zone for so long, steering the fronts south. What will happen after this Monday night special ends, and 20-30cm falls, is probably a minor temp spike and then who knows? I think there is a good chance of a storm of some sort once a week or 10 days through Sept. The ski áreas could scrape by with that, as the base above 3,000m will continue to build for the most part. But it could still just dry up, so finicky is the rain god these days.

My plans are to ski LP Tuesday and Wednesday. Then we are looking at Rio Teno/Alto del Padre for 2-3 days between Aug 15 and 19. Anyone who wants to join in, PM me.

[Alvaro]

now measuring correctly the options we had, it was less than an extra km of touring to ski the spines of the first picture so we should have skied that instead, if you have an all wheel drive car i would totally recomend the lagunas de teno zone over the border with argentina because it had the best snow by far (its not as affected by the wind)

[Casey E]

Thanks Alvaro for the tips.
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