South America may not be the first place that comes to mind when you plan a skiing trip, but we’re about to change that mindset.
Did you know that the Andes Mountain is the longest mountain in the world, stretching 4,300 miles along the West coast of South America? It’s also the second highest mountain on the planet, right behind the Himalayas in Asia! Sounds like the exact combination for perfect snowfall, and tons of skiing terrain, right? Right.
Since the Andes Mountains jut right through the boarder of Argentina and Chile, these are the two prime destination-countries to venture about with your adorn skis buckled on. The mountains offer exciting views of magical volcanoes, and have luxurious hot springs to dip in after rigorous days of
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skiing. With no further ado, here are the top four places to hit while venturing to South America for your sweet vacation. Keep in mind that the seasons are switched – the ski season in South America is from June to October! 1.) Cerro Catedral, Argentina In English, Cerro Catedral translates to Mount Cathedarl.
If you’re into freestyle skiing, triumphing tricks and adventurous antics, this is the place for you. With 75 miles of hills applicable for skiers of all levels, and a bubble ski lift that can fit six passengers, there really isn’t any other place like this. The terrain has rails and bumps that offer opportunities to expand anybody’s skiing style.
Due to the resort’s high elevation, dry snow allows this is to be the perfect place for four different ski events to be held: Big Air Reef, Rip Curl Winter Search, Girls Only, and Gorilla Day. Even if the snow is gentle for a winter season, Cerro Catedral is adept with snows making machines that make flakes, just like the natural clouds from above.
It’s about 20 miles to the city of Bariloche, which is known for its wild nightlife, and of course as a piece of South America, its delicious wine. Every year there is a Downhill Torch Parade, which is quite a sight to see and will create a memorable night of skiing while the sky sparkles with fireworks, and fellow skiers glide down the slopes carrying torches. There is tons of music at this celebration of winter to come and the crowning of a new
queen. At this and every festival held, good vibes are extremely contagious. Contact your Aladdin Travel adviser for the ski adventure of a lifetime! 2.) Caviahue, Argentina The heart of the Andes holds Caviahue, a ski resort and village loaded with hot springs and pretty lakes, right near the Caviahue volcano. During the winter, the bright blue lakes are frozen, but the hot springs are left immune to the cold. One perk of being so close to the Caviahue volcano is that you can ski right down the crater; where else in the world can you practice a winter sport, in the same destination that years before there was bubbling lava? (Besides Chile) Of course, don't forget about one of Caviahue's specialties. Caviahu isn’t near any big cities, so its remoteness leaves the resort uncrowded all year round. When your body is tired and sore from the day out exploring on your skis, come home to dazzling, unoccupied hot springs welcoming you with natural volcanic minerals, guaranteeing the most divine bath you'll ever soothe your muscles in. This may just become your new go-to ski destination. Are you in to wildlife? Caviahue is also one of the only places on the planet that you may spot the rare Andean Condor - a very unique looking vulture of South America. Be sure to try to snap a picture of this endangered species, and share it with us! 3.) Valle Nevado, Chile Unlike other ski resorts closing for the warm months, Valle Nevado has plenty of fun for the whole family all year round! Along with El Colorado and La Parva, Valle Nevado is one of the Tres Valles in Chile. All three of these mountains together equal the largest ski area in all of South America, and of course they are close to each other. You can buy a ski pass to access every mountain for a day of skiing on seemingly endless terrain! Nevado was designed by the French, and therefore has a very European feel throughout the resort. Paired with a glass of South American vino after a long day of skiing, who wouldn't be able to unwind at this stylish abode? Most of the days here are full of sun, but Valle Nevado has a pretty high elevation, which keeps its snow fresh and powdery. The terrain is ideal for those who love to ride freestyle or back country. When snow storms hit, this resort thrives - the snow gets deep and fluffs to perfection. Also, it is only an hour and a half drive from Santiago, so for a day off of your skis, freely explore the city, giving you a full taste of Chile! 4.) Nevadoes de Chillan Nevadoes de Chillan, aka Termas de Chille, is actually translated into "hot springs of Chile". With nine naturally hot pools in the resort, you'll get a lifetime's worth of sulfur and iron intake at this glorious spa-like place! The mountains of Nevadoes de Challan were formed from a volcano, and excessive flowing lava created interesting bowls and dips for the most rad runs around. The unique terrain makes Nevadoes de Chillan especially popular for race training, but those into cat or back country skiing have plenty of options here, too. Located in the Southern Andes, 7 kilometers from Las Trancas Valley (a nature-lover's paradise), the resort is easy to get to. It is a painless five hour drive from Santiago, or you can easily take flight from Santiago over. There are airport transfers whenever you need them! Sleep in Las Trancas Valley and ride a horse over to the slopes in the morning, or just stay in Nevadoes de Challan, where you can ski right out of your room! Need another reason to visit Nevadoes de Chillan? The longest ski trail in the country, Las Tres Marias, is located here. With breathtaking views winding in and out of forests for 13 kilometers, this trail is no doubt on any skiers' bucket list. Nevadoes de Chillan, along with all of the other places in South America mentioned, shan't be dismissed from any avid skiers' dream destinations. Stay tuned for more ideas of where to ski in the famous Europe, next!
Cross-country skiing is as much of a competitive sport, as it is a back country one. Cross-country skiing is enjoyed by people of all ages, and can be relatively inexpensive. There is no need for lift tickets and with a little maintenance equipment can last for decades. As a result of its broad audience, many people don't realize that physics plays a large role in cross-country skiing. This web page was designed to briefly describe some of the concepts behind the physics of skiing, and give a basic understanding of both the sport and the science.
The heavy annual snowfall on Lassen Peak creates fourteen permanent patches of snow on and around the mountain top, despite Lassen's rather modest elevation, but no glaciers.
It was formed when the North American plate collided with the heavier Pacific plate, which caused the North American plate to fold and move upwards forming a series of the youngest mountains in Canada now known as the Western Cordillera region. The Western Cordillera mountains were discovered by a man named Franz Wilhelmsen about 50 years ago, and were going to be used for the winter olympic games but was later turned into a ski resort called Whistler Blackcomb. This very famous ski resort has a variety of activities that people of all ages enjoy doing such as skiing, snowshoeing, heli skiing, dog sledding, ziplining, etc. The best times to visit Whistler Blackcomb are from mid November to late January. During this “prime time” Whistler is very busy with people because of the winter holidays. Another great time to visit is from April to May. This is the “celebration of spring” and many competitions, games and concerts are held at this time. For dinner, the resort offers a variety of different restaurants. Mountain dining and tasting tours are just a few of the many. Private skiing lessons and kids camps are also available at this attraction. Whistler Blackcomb is a great place to go all year long because of the many activities it offers, and how it's known
First of all, one of South America’s greatest geological features is the Andes Mountains. The Andes are a major mountain range in Venezuela. The Andes mountain range is the longest mountain range in the world. To be specific, the mountain range is 4,500 miles long and 500 miles wide (Andes). The Andes stretch along the west coast of South America passing through several countries including Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The Andes’ average elevation is 13,000 feet. One might not think this but in some places in the Andes Mountains there is snow and even glaciers. Mount Aconcagua, in Argentina, is the highest elevation of the Andes, at 22,841 feet above sea level. The Himalaya Mountains are the only other mountains that are taller than ...
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Thin air encompasses me as I commence the final day of skiing at Vail, Colorado. Seven days of skiing elapse rather painlessly; I fall occasionally but an evening in the Jacuzzi soothes my minor aches. Closing time approaches on the final day of our trip as I prepare myself for the final run of the vacation. Fresh off the ski lift, I coast toward the junction of trails on the unoccupied expert face of the mountain. After a moment of thought, I confidently select a narrow trail so steep that only the entrance can be seen from my viewpoint.
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