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A question and answer guide to what you might need to know
about
Chapelco, San Martin de los Andes, Neuquen, Argentina
What is so special about it? Chapel Co has the most magnificent views to compliment its skiing. From all the high runs the imposing Lanin volcano can be sighted, along with Lake Lacar and the rugged relief of the pre-cordillera, which looks like a petrified ocean during a storm! The trees, ancient Lengas (a small leaved south American beech ) are what makes this resort so special. Even in the winter months minus their leaves and dusted with snow they are dramatic. Bizarre lichens grow over them (a sure sign of good air quality) and one extraordinary yellow one looks like some type of strange flower. (For the botanists amongst you it is barba del diable and is parasitic) - for the rest of us, its colour contrasts beautifully against the snow landscape and it is simply a treat to ski amongst.
The choice of Chapel Co as a ski resort lies really in the scenery and its closeness to San Martin de los Andes, as the snow is not as dry as in Las Lenas. (That said, we skied it in mid September and it was excellent). The mountain village of San Martin de los Andes is located in a privileged spot at the head of Lake Lacar and has kept its characteristic mountain atmosphere. The houses are built with local materials, painted wooden walls and Larch tile roofs. There is a good choice of restaurants and bars, shops and night-life.
For us it is a favourite and has the added dimension of us being able to offer unique off-piste skiing for 2006, having had a reccie done by Scotlands only woman to have climbed Everest, Polly Murray to open new routes and check out existing off-piste day trips. Very much a family resort, this attention to the off piste, allows those in a group who would like to dip into a more adventurous day or twos skiing to do so.
Where is Chapelco? Chapel Co is located near to San Martin de Los Andes, a mountain village, as its name suggests embedded in the Andes on the eastern shore of Lake Lacar in North-West Patagonia. You can fly directly from Buenos Aires to Chapel Co airport (2 hour flight that connects out of Buenos Aires around 9.00am, and allows you to be on the slopes the same afternoon). As an aside, the ski resort of Cathedral (Bariloche) is only 75 miles away, though due to road conditions is a 4 hour drive south, along the Enchanted Valley and river Trafull. To include both resorts in your holiday allows for you to experience a great variety of skiing, as well as seeing more of the local scenery first hand.
How high is the base level? The ski resort is based at 4101ft above sea level.
What is the height at the top? The height at the top of the resort is 6496 ft.
What is the drop? 2395 ft.
What is the snow like? Not as dry as Las Lenas and not as long a season.
How long is the season? This last year the season commenced mid-June on the 20th and continued until October 3rd. This resort will stay open for as long as the snow lasts, though being at a lower altitude than Las Lenas, the snow is getting ropey by the last week in September.
When is the best time to go? Like Las Lenas, try to avoid going in July as it is peak holiday time for the Argentineans. It is viewed very much as a family resort because its ski school is so excellent, so it is not so much the students, but families that fill this resort.
What are the lift queues like? Even in September, this resort still felt busy, but the queues were not too bad. If you are a good skier and stay up the top, it is not an issue. The lower slopes for the beginners can get a little congested. The number crunchers for this resort say that its 10 lifts can transport 11,718 skiers per hour! We didn't feel it was that busy, however for beginners it is advisable to take advantage of the excellent ski school which is well priced and while in a class you get to go to the front of any lift queue! Even with the resort filled to capacity the skiable area is enough to spread out over (324ha).
When do the lifts open and close? They open at 9.00am and close at 5.30pm.
What accommodation is available? Accommodation is mainly down in the town of San Martin de los Andes. There is a wide range to choose from. It is possible to stay up in the resort and stay at the charismatic Los Techos. This is the only hotel in the ski resort itself, so after everyone has gone home, it is wonderful to feel you have the slopes to yourself!
What transport is available in the resort? There are buses plying between the town and the slopes. Getting the hang of the time schedules is a bit of a dark art, so it is best to get on the site information from your hotel. In the instance of those booking through us private transport is included in your holiday price.
What is available for snow boarders? Snow boarders have their own park. Not being snow boarders ourselves it is difficult to comment on, but it does have a half pipe, parallel slalom, big air and fun park.
Is there childcare available? Yes there is during the day while the slopes are open. There is a nursery service for 3 month old babies up to 1 year, and a kindergarten for 1 - 3 year olds. Ski school teaches children from 3 - 5 years and all this takes place at the snow garden at the top of the telecabina that ascends from the base.
What is the cost of a lift pass? Just for ease of comparison we have taken the cost of a seven day full adult pass. Based on last season's dates during the low season (June 18th to July 2nd, and Aug 28th until the end of the season) this was 278 pesos for an adult (around £50.00). The mid season price for an adult was 398 pesos (around £72.00) and this was from July 3rd until July 9th and from July 31st until August 27th. High season was from July 10th until July 30th and a pass was 484 pesos (around £88.00). Children up to the age of 4 go free. From 5 years to 11 years they pay the same as a senior citizen. Anyone over 70 goes free.
What is the ski school like and is it expensive? The ski school is excellent. For children of 3 up to 6, it costs for a week (6 days instruction), 145 pesos (around £26.00), 194 pesos (around £35.00) for low season, and mid/high season respectively. This is based on half a days tuition from either 10.30am - 1.00 or 2.00pm - 4.30pm.
For an adult for a weeks ski instruction in a group (5 hours a day for 6 days) it is 318 pesos (£58.00), 398 pesos (around £72.00), for low season, and mid/high season respectively. Obviously you can take instruction for shorter times (2 and a half hours a day), fewer days or take individual private lessons for which a premium is added.
It is worth noting that you can get instruction in all modes of skiing. Alpine, Nordic, adventure, paragliding, monoskiing, snowboarding and off course off-piste skiing.
How much is ski rental? To hire for a day all your equipment per day is between £5.50 - £6.50, depending on the exchange rate and if you are going in low or high season. This can if you choose be increased to £8.00 for superior equipment, however we found the standard equipment good and all their skis were carvers.
What else is there to do in the resort besides skiing? Lots! We really loved the option to dip in and out of skiing and enjoy more of the Argentinean hospitality and activities. Within the resort you can sled ride and be pulled by Siberian huskies, (though if you really want to experience this wait until you go south to ski Cerro Castor, as the sled dogs are fabulous there and it is much more exciting, with the dogs really taking you off into the wilds! You can snow mobile here along the tracked routes away from the skiers. There is lovely hiking you can do further down the mountain, along with hiring mountain bikes. At the bottom of the mountain on the shores of Lake Lacar, it is beautifully warm in September. Spring is well on its way, so you can enjoy the lake and stroll around the town. The handicrafts are fabulous. There is a relaxed nightlife - it is not a rave and disco resort, but has a lovely ambience.
What level of skier is this best resort best suited to? This is well geared up for beginners and intermediates. 25% of its runs are for beginners and a further 25 for intermediates. 30% of the runs are for advanced skiers and the remaining 20% for expert. In addition to the extreme skiing we are introducing for next year, this resort strikes a good balance for a group of mixed levels. It has countless restaurants on the slopes (well I think we counted 6!) so plenty of meeting places to rejoin your party later!
What safety measures are in place in the event of an accident? We were very impressed. There are obvious ski patrols on the slopes and Red Cross posts dotted around the mountain. At the resort base there are excellent medical facilities and if the accident is very serious - ie broken bones you are taken down to the hospital in San Martin de los Andes. We spoke to one gentleman who broke his leg and was looked after very well there. Like all action holidays personal insurance is essential, but unlike in America, they do not withhold treatment until the insurance papers have been shown! There is an ambulance permanently at the base station and if that has to go down, then another one is sent up immediately.
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