Andean Skiing Adventure of Fun

Today I was able to mark off an event that I was high on my priority list when I arrived in Chile, skiing in the Andes. I had intended to go skiing sooner but when I got sick it got put on the back burner. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to as we have now entered spring here in Santiago but alas on the last weekend that the resorts are open I made it up. The skiing was good but completely spring conditions with slush, warm weather and rocks. (skiing now is like skiing in April in the United States) Skiing in the Andes is completely different from any resort I have been to in the U.S. For starters the Chilean tree line is relatively low and the altitude of the resorts are extremely high so the resort had absolutely no trees. The only thing marking the various runs are wooden fences constructed on the slopes lower on the mountain however the higher you go the more free you are to ski where you want. We were skiing at a resort called El Colorado which has a maximum elevation of just under 12000 feet. The highest summit in Tahoe is just barely 10000 at Heavenly. Since it is so late in the season the lift to the summit was closed but I deceided to hike from the next closest lift. (resorts here encourage you to hike around and go where you want) The elevation had not bothered me until I reached the top, light headed, winded, and somewhat nauseous. Who knew two thousand feet would make such a dramatic difference! In any event it was a great view and a good ski down, I even managed to find powder even though it hasnt snowed in 10 days so the hike was well worth it. All in all I thourghly enjoyed the day apart from the drive there and back. The local ski bums purchase 15 passenger vans and charge to drive people up every day from Santiago so they can support their ski habbits. It takes only an hour and a half to get from Santiago to El Colorado despite a climb of over 8000 feet. The road is extremely steep and features dramatic swithbacks almost the entire time, not a combination I am too fond of. I was terrified when we arrived but luckily I was able to sleep on the way back. The strangest part of my day was waking up in the van to the Beach Boys singing Barbara Ann in Spanish on the radio. Everybody now, "Oh Barbara Ann tome mi mano!" Anywho, even though I loved skiing here I think I would take Tahoe or Colorado any day as the resorts have a lot more terrain and a lot more variety. Hope everyone is fantastic, ciao for now!