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Hola Adventure!
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By: Nella Scott, Issue 40 – Spring 2009
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(Argentina, South America, Chile, South America)
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COMPARED TO THEIR NORTHERN HEMISPHERE COUNTERPARTS, THE SKI RESORTS IN SOUTH AMERICA ARE HALF THE PRICE FOR TWICE THE ADVENTURE.
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Most people think of the northern hemisphere when they’re looking for great resorts and abundant snow but you don’t need to sacrifice summer in Australia to get top class on-piste action. As spring melts away the last of the Australian ski season, savvy skiers are already planning their 2010 adventures in South America. Ski resorts in Chile and Argentina represent great value compared to those in the northern hemisphere and along with discounted airfares and a strong Australian dollar, they are a compelling option.
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Argentina
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Separated from Chile by the staggering peaks of the Andes, Argentina’s best resorts offer a mix of serious vertical, premium powder and slopeside glamour. For an adrenaline rush, Las Leñas is an extreme skier’s paradise with 13 lifts providing access to high altitude terrain (3,000 metres above sea level), an expert terrain park and one of the longest slopes in the world. While Las Leñas attracts serious skiers and offseason professionals from all over the world, the sociable set head to the lake district of Patagonia to be seen on the slopes of Cerro Catedral. Also known as Bariloche, Cerro Catedral has 103 kilometres of trails spread over a massive 600 hectares of terrain, and an après scene to match even the most exclusive European resorts.
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Chile
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On the other side of the Andes, the ski culture includes the awe-inspiring summits of Portillo resort, one of the world’s true high-altitude resorts. Towering above the Inca Lake, which plays an important part in ancient lore, the oldest and most exclusive ski area in South America is totally self contained and operates on a week-long basis, meaning guest numbers are limited, and the slopes are crowd free. Equally as admired for its terrain, if not its altitude, Antillanca resort is set on the side of the snow-encrusted Casablanca Volcano and overlooks the second largest Valdivian temperate rainforest in the world. Receiving one of the highest snowfalls in South America, Termas de Chillán is where most Chileans head for their ski holidays. Between June and October, tentative beginners snowplough the easy runs while seasoned skiers prefer the more advanced runs that make up 70 per cent of the skiable terrain. The popular resort also has the unique advantage of being home to natural thermal baths and a luxurious spa, which are a great remedy for tired legs after a hard day on the slopes.
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Details:
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Las Leñas
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Cerro Catedral
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Portillo
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Antillanca
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Termas de Chillán
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