Skiing, Chile - June 2002
Serious flooding in Santiago, Chile meant tons of snow in the Andes, which in turn translated to excellent skiing.
When the ski stations opened it was one of the best seasons ever known for snow, with many stations not able to open due to the threat of avalanche.
Lucky for us we had enough spare time to enjoy the fantastic Chilean skiing.
Ski stations in Chile have great infrastructure and are becoming increasingly popular with the residents of Santiago. The Andean scenery is simply stunning. It's a long way from Europe and the US, but if you need to ski in summer its very definitely possible!
Marcelo and I in the car on our way to the slopes from Santiago.
Valle Nevado. More than twenty-three thousand acres of skiable terrain! Valle Nevado is the biggest ski center in the southern hemisphere.
Cactus in the snow. Something that you don't see everyday.
At a certain point on the drive up the mountain it is mandatory for all cars (Not 4WD) to use snow chains. There are many 'Carabineros' that will fit your snow chains for you on the little road. It is complete chaos here! I should also point out here that the snow chains really are necessary.
Skiing Chile in the early season we were lucky to have such excellent weather. Pueet and Jai here taking a little sunshine snow break.
Fairly new to skiiing, Puneet has some difficulties exiting from the button lifts.
Kind of mistimed Chilean wave from the top of Valle Nevado
Here I'm helping Jai with some cooling snow in the miday sun.
Ximana and Mauricio training for Ski Patrol.
Apres ski, relaxing sore muscles with a beer or two. It seems in Chile that most people leave the resort after skiing, the bars and restaurants are fairly quiet.
Sunset in the Andes at the end of a fantastic weekend skiing