My previous blog post was about why you would want to ski with a guide in Chile.  After that I ran across a few advertisements from U.S.-based guides, offering trips to ski in Chile.  Looking into these trips I see that they've done some homework – but not quite enough.  The itineraries look good.  For example, while I typically aim to ski three volcanoes in a week, some visiting guides have squeezed four volcanoes into their plans.  That would be better.  Never mind that the weather in southern Chile is far from perfect everyday and having some flexibility is critical.  I saw one trip offered to a volcano which is presently erupting.  I wouldn't recommend that.  Some guides offer great prices.  Cutting corners is never a good idea.  Good food, comfortable lodging and safe vehicles with enough space are not cheap in Chile.  So I am not sure where it's best to cut costs.  

I guess I'd like to add to my previous post.  Not all ski guides and trips to Chile are equal.

If you live in the U.S., would you go to Mexico for a hamburger?  If you live in Mexico, would you go to France for a margarita?  If you live in France, would you go to England for the wine?  I could go on forever; but I think you get my drift.  If you live in a place full of highly-refined ski resorts, (Europe, the U.S., Canada) why would you go to South America to ski in a resort?  

Before I go any further, let me say, I don't have anything against South American ski resorts.  They serve the same purpose in Chile and Argentina as they do in the rest of the world.  They allow families to ski together and people of all ages to learn to slide on snow and enjoy the mountains in the winter.  This is a good thing.

What if you are an accomplished skier?  Is going to a South American resort really what you're looking for?  If you've skied in places like Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe, Chamonix, Whistler-Blackcomb, is going to a tiny area with slow lifts and variable conditions really satisfying?  Sure, it's better than NOT skiing, which is your option in the northern hemisphere in August and September; and I think a lot of people rationalize it this way.  

Why not go to Chile to do something you can't do in the northern winter?  Ski into a crater of a volcano (and come back out); ride a horse through a forest to get to the snow; make a first descent; tree ski through 3000-year old trees; totally escape the modern world; follow a dirt road past the markings on a map.  These are the experiences that bring me to Chile year after year, and these are the experiences that I live to share with others.  

I think a lot of people say, "I want to ski in Chile."  Then they look at the time and financial commitment and they realize, "Jeez, US$4000-plus per person for a week at a resort (including airfare), without a guide or wine.  That's as much as... a week in Japan; a season in Colorado; a good amount of heli-skiing; a month in Europe..."  And to this I say, "yup."  If you compare apples to apples, resort experience to resort experience, it's, well... August.  

Don't go to Chile looking for the experience you know and love at home.  Go for something new.  Go to do something you've never done before.  It is this opportunity that makes this place so special.

¿Qué onda?  A common greeting in Chile.  Understanding and using the word onda will definitely help you fit in in Chile.  

This Friday's "Chilenismo": Huevón.  Without a doubt, this is the most important word in Chilean Spanish and is unique to Chile.  Say it to a person from Spain and they will have no clue what you are talking about.

Last week we explored the question, "Cachái?"  To which, a perfectly good response may be, "Ya, Po!"  What the hell is 'Po!'? ...

For those of us from English speaking nations, we are fortunate that many other people also speak a little of our language.  It's important to remember we have Hollywood to thank, not some intellectual superiority. 

Skiing in Chile is about more than skiing.  Chilean culture is endearing and the language exemplifies this perfectly.  Every Friday I will share "dichos" or expressions that make Chile one of the most colorful, fun nations in the world.  

What language do they speak in Chile?  Spanish?  Is English commonly spoken?  These are questions I get all the time.  Language in Chile is definitely an interesting topic...