Spring Skiing with Ski Arpa Snowcats
Standing Room Only – Spring Skiing with Ski Arpa Snowcats, Chile
Words by Vince Shuley
Photos by Vince Shuley and Chris Taine
Anyone that goes skiing in South America knows to go down there with a different set of expectations. Today’s surprise was the lack of seats and roof on the back of the Snowcat. Its been modified to still safely hold about a fifteen people, but everyone has to stand and hold onto the rail. No problem, we’re fine as long as the cat makes it up the hill.
Its spring in Chile and we’re skiing with Ski Arpa Snowcats, South America’s only dedicated catskiing operation. Despite the variable spring conditions, September still seems to be attracting plenty of clientele.
The last two people can’t fit in the tray, so the driver rigs up a rope tow for the company’s owner, Toni and our groups guide Benjamin. They don’t seem too uncomfortable as they get towed up the 3000 ft of vertical.
The Arpa Valley has terrain for all levels of skiers from a strong intermediate onwards. We patiently sit through the first two easy runs as the lead guide makes his assessment of the group and where he can take us. We then get into the real terrain, a run called Ratonera. Here there are plenty of ridges to play on, rocks to jump off and chutes to ski. The snow here is better than the other wind crud we skied earlier, but it’s still catchy and needs to be ridden with caution. By the final run down Valle Escondido we’ve clocked over 12,000 feet of vertical and we’re definitely feeling it.
With controlled backcountry skiing, Ski Arpa is a unique experience that is worth a day trip from your chosen resort in northern Chile. The valley is situated near Los Andes, 80km north of Santiago. The rough and bumpy access road is only accessible by 4x4.
For more information on cat skiing in Chile see www.whiteworld.cl www.skiarpa.com