Backcountry Beacon

Courtesy: Snoventures

Getting There: Book your flight directly to Chile’s capital, Santiago. From Santiago, it’s about a 100-mile drive into Portillo. If you don’t want to hassle with renting and driving a car through the chaotic and often anarchistic traffic of Santiago, do yourself a favor and book a chauffeured transfer service in a van or private car. If you’re up to the challenge of the traffic, rent a car and spend some time exploring Santiago and the surrounding areas.

Skiing/Riding: Portillo offers some of the best rugged big-mountain and off-piste skiing to give even the most seasoned experts a challenge. Quite a few North American pro big-mountain freeride skiers and snowboarders hone their chops in Portillo.

Eat: For a bit of the local fare, try the empanadas. These pastries come filled with anything from ground beef to egg and cheese. Empanadas are considered by some to be the comfort food of choice among Chileans. For a more upscale meal, find a good place and sample the paella. This fresh seafood and rice dish has Mediterranean roots, but Chileans swear theirs is the best.

Stay: The Hotel Portillo is the Portillo Resort’s accommodations. This hotel looks more like it belongs nestled at the base of the Matterhorn than in the Andes. The facilities and dining are top notch, and all rooms of the Hotel Portillo have wi-fi access. If you’re a snow rider on a tighter budget, stay at the Octagon Lodge. This almost-yurt-style bunkhouse hotel offers more Spartan accommodations, but at the end of a long day of riding, it all looks the same in the dark.

Getting There: Book your flight directly into the Jorge Newbery airport in Buenos Aires. From there, you’ll take another one-and-a-half hour flight to Malague airport. From Malague, pack up your gear for a one-hour bus transfer to the Las Leñas Valley.

Skiing/Riding: Las Leñas offers terrain suitable for all ability levels of skiers and snowboarders. If you’re into going out of bounds, Las Leñas offers over 300 acres of guided cat skiing. Really looking to push it? Book a day of helicopter skiing and you’ll be in for some of the nicest faceshots South America has to offer.

Eat: You’ll definitely see your fair share of carne on the typical Argentine menu. Go ahead and treat yourself to the legendary Argentine beef. The locals claim it’s some of the most flavorful and tender beef on the planet. For a real Argentine meal, try to find an asado. The asado is Argentine-style pit barbecue. Expect to see lots of pasta on your average menu as well. Oh, and don’t forget the wine.

Stay: The Las Leñas valley has quite a few lodging options. If you’re looking for condo-style digs, the Apart Hotel offers full kitchenettes, ski storage, and rooms that house up to eight people.

If you’re looking to really get away for some summer skiing, head to New Zealand. Although the flights to NZ are mind-numbingly long and quite expensive, the abrupt, jagged peaks on the South Island are jaw-dropping. If you ever wanted to geek out and see where Peter Jackson filmed The Lord of the Rings trilogy, you’ll find it in Wanaka.

Courtesy: Treble Cone

Treble Cone Resort

Getting There: Book your flights through Qantas. You may be able to find better prices elsewhere, but you can book a direct flight from Los Angeles or New York straight into the Christchurch airport. From there, book a connecting flight to Queenstown or just thumb it (New Zealand is very hitchhiker friendly). Rent a car in Queenstown or find a car service for the short trip to the Treble Cone resort. If you drive, keep in mind you’ll be driving on the left hand side of the road. If you’re supremely jetlagged upon arrival (and you will be), this could prove to be a sketchy endeavor.

Skiing/Riding: Treble Cone has some gnarly big-mountain lines and fairly mellow terrain to suit the tastes of nearly any level of rider. The snow can be hit-or-miss, but if you happen to be in the area during or after a big dump, you’ll be in for some killer summer face shots.

Eat: New Zealanders pride themselves on their lamb, so check out the lamb chops. For a budget lunch, find a local bakery and get a little savory pie pastry. Not only are these made fresh every day, you can choose fillings like spinach and mushroom, steak and gravy, or curry. The mince meat pie is about as authentic as it gets. The fruit in New Zealand is pretty good year round too. Needless to say, the kiwi fruits are as authentic and succulent as you will ever find them.

Stay: If you’re looking for a four-star, full-amenity resort, stay at the Oakridge Resort Grand Mercure. You’ll find all the expected luxuries including spas, pool, bar, and on-site restaurant. For a more rugged, budget-conscious stay, book a room at a local hostel. You’ll probably end up sharing a room and a bathroom with a few other folks, but that’s part of the adventure.

What Did We Miss?

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