International (Europe/Japan/Southern Hemisphere) Valle Nevado Chile

[Gary Stolt]

On the plane ready for takeoff for trip back home. Passport checked 5 times, wait, no, 6. I've been swabbed and checked and checked again.
Ok, the road up to valle nevado is a true mtn road. 62 switchbacks, one way with quite heavy traffic. The van had to back up at one point to make the tight turn.
Now for skiing. Snow is not plentiful. Lots of dirt showing, mostly on piste skiing, warm, beautiful, weather. With that said, the snow that was there, was good. Two quad chairs, a couple palmas were those in play. One loooooong Palma led to a good run or perhaps it was just good to get off the platter seat after that long ride. After 5 good days, the warm weather took care of most of the snow and really only one run was skiable. The people checking in this week are not getting much skiing in.
We met some good skiers and 22 fun people. It was a good time. Pics to come.

 

[SKI-3PO]

Passport checked 5 times, wait, no, 6. I've been swabbed and checked and checked again.

I’m sure you’re on a list. Or 2.

 

[JohnL]

I’m sure you’re on a list. Or 2.

Happens when you travel with Bud Lite.

 

[coskigirl]

I'm sorry the snow wasn't good, it's such a fun place to ski when it is!

 

[jimmy]

Let’s get this show on the road. @Gary Stolt and I joined the Ski Club of Washington DC for this trip to ski Valle Nevado and tour the Santiago region. Gary in the United Club getting some last minute “supplies”.


Sixty “curvas” on the way up to the mountain.


The ski hill


The Puerta del Sol.

 

[Tricia]

I’m sure you’re on a list. Or 2.

Happens when you travel with Bud Lite.

...or when you travel with @jimmy


MORE PICS!!

 

[Gary Stolt]

I’m sure you’re on a list. Or 2.

When checking in for the flight home, I was excited to see my boarding group changed from "2" to "pre board". I learned later it was so they had time to "select me for additional screening" - after scanning my boarding pass. They even asked permission to pat me down. Didn't think it would be wise to refuse although I would have preferred a more attractive patter downer.
After landing in Santiago, going through customs, the dog sniffed an orange in my bag - or perhaps the Almond Joy candy bar, so I may have been labeled "high risk"

 

[coskigirl]

That's definitely different snow conditions than when I was there.

https://www.pugski.com/threads/valle-nevado-chile-august-2017.5630/#post-134227

 

[Ron]

When checking in for the flight home, I was excited to see my boarding group changed from "2" to "pre board". I learned later it was so they had time to "select me for additional screening" - after scanning my boarding pass. They even asked permission to pat me down. Didn't think it would be wise to refuse although I would have preferred a more attractive patter downer.
After landing in Santiago, going through customs, the dog sniffed an orange in my bag - or perhaps the Almond Joy candy bar, so I may have been labeled "high risk"

did you declare that you had no prohibited items? I know it used to be a big revenue generator. I remember that as we landed in Santiago, our flight attendant telling us to declare that you had prohibited items so they couldn't fine you. My friend didn't do this and got fined for having some energy bars.

 

[jimmy]

@coskigirl looks like you hit it right for good snow. We got mostly good for you snow. Your pictures show how wide open, ski it all this place can be with snow. We did ski though................


At the top of Sol1, first day we could get off the groomers


Under the Andes Express


@MaryG


Hope, Mike and Cindy, the Liberty Crew at the top of Tres Puntas, glaciers in the background


This trip was on my bucket list, but I think I would go back without too much arm twisting. Made some great new friends the group reminded me of us (pugski).