Portillo this September?

[Gary]

Jb...it's about 2 hours in decent weather from Santiago to Portillo....beautif ul to see it go from olive trees and vineyards to full blown mountains and snow. The food, including lunches....outstand ing!

But hey....if you are thinking about a trip in the neck of the woods....consider the JC trip...great group of people, ..some awesome skiers and 1st class all the way.
Would love to share the Portillo experience with you and any other members of RS.
 
It's Sept 4-12th.

G

[Ron]

Gary, do they have snow there or just food and wine??(and scotch for JC)

[jim-ratliff]

I'm going to visit my son in Paraguay in Juily (which is Southern Hemisphere equivalent to January).  Does anyone know if there is any day/week-end skiing on that side of the Andes that I might bundle with my trip?

[Ron]

water-skiing?

[jbotti]

Gary, I think my odds are low for a Chile Trip this year but it has been on my mind. It will depend on two things, how well I am racing on the bike (and how hard I want to push it) and whether my wife agrees to have me cut out for a week. My thought was to look to free ski more with less structure. Of course I love ski instruction so you never know. Last week I was pitching my buddy Thor Kallerud on going in August and he was all over it, but he has the same issues that I have (cycling and racing and a wife). I guess we will see. Thanks for the invite.

[Svend]

I'm going to visit my son in Paraguay in Juily (which is Southern Hemisphere equivalent to January).? Does anyone know if there is any day/week-end skiing on that side of the Andes that I might bundle with my trip?

Jim, I saw a TV piece on Las Lenas in Argentina, which borders Paraguay to the south.? It looked amazing.? Wide open expansive terrain, tons of powder.? Friendly, too, like much of South America.? Check this out:
http://www.welcomeargentina.com/ski/index_i.html? Click on the Las Lenas link....

[jbotti]

Jim, two of my friends have been to Las Lenas twice. Both prefer it to the Chilean resorts. I think they get a little more regular snow (In Chile it is huge storms but not that many of them). I have no idea how far it is from Paraguay, but it would make sense for you to look into the logistics and time involved in getting there.

[Svend]

Just from looking at the map, Las Lenas is in north-central Argentina, and appears to be the closest resort to Paraguay.? The city of Mendoza is close, and there is sure to be a major airport there.? There are probably regular flights from Asuncion.? Sounds like a fantastic adventure.? Go for it!!!

BTW, it seems to be close to the Argentine wine district, too....ski like crazy, then go Malbec tasting as an apres-ski.....Yum, Yum.....

[jim-ratliff]

Thanks guys.  I will follow up.

[Gary]

Hey ROn....no problem with both the wine and snow....both flowed pretty well for all. Gotta say...the booze and wine are not cheap.

JB...I understand the delima...Alice is coming with me and we are just returning 2 weeks prior from biking in Ireland with 12 others...Lucky _hit I am.....so it appears and including golf and I've got all the bases covered!

Skiing in the Southern Hemisphere is magnificent no doubt...I think it should be on any serious skiers bucket list...

Our ski season just doesn't quite seem long enough.

Best, g

[Ron]

yeah, theres a special tax or duty on wines sold at the resorts I am told. The wine that sells for $9 a bottle here, Like Castlella Diablo, for instance (A good value btw) sells for about 30-40 at the resort!  Even a glass of wine will run you close to 15-20!

[midwif]

Just from looking at the map, Las Lenas is in north-central Argentina, and appears to be the closest resort to Paraguay.? The city of Mendoza is close, and there is sure to be a major airport there.? There are probably regular flights from Asuncion.? Sounds like a fantastic adventure.? Go for it!!!

BTW, it seems to be close to the Argentine wine district, too....ski like crazy, then go Malbec tasting as an apres-ski.....Yum, Yum.....

Hmm, Jim invited me on his trip, but I have no time to take in July /aug. Too low on the totem pole at this hospital.
Had I KNOWN wine tasting (totally wasted on Jim, BTW, and skiing were on the agenda, I would have planned a........serious illness of some sort.
I don't think I support Jim in this venture. I think he needs to just see his son/daughter in law and wait for further adventures when he has his wine and ski consultant along (aka, ME!).

[Svend]

I don't think I support Jim in this venture. I think he needs to just see his son/daughter in law and wait for further adventures when he has his wine and ski consultant along (aka, ME!).

Gee Lynn, that sentiment sounds awfully familiar.  Except I am usually at the receiving end of those hostile looks, chilly silences, and outright dismissive treatment, when I announce that I have yet another project in the Banff/Calgary area, and just might have to spend an extra day or two there to go skiing.  Terryl shows no sympathy whatever for all the sweat, labour and toil that I give to my clients, and my sacrifices to support my family.  My boot-bag, ready and waiting for the trip to the airport, gets unceremoniously tossed out the front door onto the lawn.  Is there no justice in life? 

[midwif]

No Svend. No justice, no mercy.

[jim-ratliff]

Svend:? Here's the lesson I think.?



OK, Lynn.? ? Whatever you say dear!!? ?

You know that I would much prefer skiing Elk with you than Las Lenas by myself??

==================================
Update:? Official Las Lenas opening day for 2010 is June 15th.? I'm going to Paraguay over July 4th weekend, so too close to opening day, I think.
Will settle for the 4 day trip sight seeing/hiking around Iguazu falls.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguazu_Falls