Early Snow

An early big storm has been reported in the mountains. A dusting here in Mendoza yesterday, but the regular sun is back shining strong today and from the looks of it 6 hours south too.

off piste

Esquí para libre

Used the skins to hike these few tracks outside of the resort. The terrain is endless, including this nearby lower ridge line.

Summer of 2007

I am Back in Argentina.

Myself and nine other random travelers queued up in Mendoza waiting for the pass to clear during a few days of storms. Finally, we pooled our resources and rented a van with driver to make the 6 hour drive to Las Leñas instead of the weather hesitant bus.

Road trip to Las Leñas

Much better views than from a bus.

Leaving Las Leñas

August 5th - 11th

Well this is certainly the best area in South America. Long steeps, best snow, endless backcountry opportunities. Fully isolated resort surrounded by the mountains. Still everything moves slow, long nights for everyone has the lifts open in stages throughout the morning. Truly on Argentinean time.

cc: to blog

Las Leñas

August 6th

Big mountain, mucha nieve. At least 250cm of fresh. Still we wait for top to be cleared...

cc: to blog

Cerro Catedral

July 27th

The ski resort overlooking the lake town. Conditions are only ok, and the terrain hardly compares to Chillan.

cc: to blog

Thermas de Chillan

July 20-22nd

I finally made it to the slopes. It's the biggest area in southern Chile, though there has not been new snow for a week. Packed and groomed, and off trail has soft and solid spots. The most accessible off-piste is a long rolling group of gullies and natural pipes, with occasional short steeps.

cc: to blog