There's another place to ride right near Portillo ski resort but there aren't any chairlifts.... Just two awesome Snow Cats.  Just outside of Los Andes is the crazy road through the farmlands and high switchbacks that will bring you to El Arpa Cat skiing.  This is South Americas only true Cat skiing operation and the place is amazing.  I've been out in the CAT's quite a bit in Canada and I can say that this place is the most unique experience you can have for Cat skiing any where in the world.  Arriving at the areas base I jumped out of the truck to see a few other people in the parking lot and the small base lodge which is built out of rocks from the surrounding area.  Once inside I met my guides for the day and signed off on waivers and had my beacon tested. Grabbed a few snacks and I jumped in the machine to start my day. An older gentlemen jumped in last and closed the door.  I was excited to find out that I would be riding my day with Anton "Toni" Sponar.  He built the place and owns/operates it. My rides up were occupied by Toni telling me stories about his snow sports career and how he built El Arpa along with the problems he encounters keeping the place running.  The machine came to a stop I jumped out on top of the world.  El Arpa's elevation peaks out at 3740m.  That's pretty high. Just imagine starting your run on top of some of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies and then coming down.  The terrain is huge and they have more then 4000 plus acres of terrain to ride.  I got 5 runs in and barely touched what they had to offer.  I could have stayed there for days.....

The road to El Arpa... got a truck???

Parking at El Arpa. Pretty remote.

Riding up... I see freshies....!

2 machines and tons of space, El Arpa Cat skiing

Powder bowls galore.... El Arpa, Chile

One of the main reasons I wanted to come here... To see Cerro Aconcagua up close. Its peak is 6962 m (22841 feet) The highest mountain outside the Himalayas and the highest mountain in the Americas.  Awesome....

Just a bit of the terrain... El Arpa, Cat skiing CHILE

The other Cat group had all the snowboarders but I managed to snipe a couple photos of them. Chutes, El Arpa, CHILE

High alpine chutes at El Arpa, CHILE

Pick up and drop off in the alpine... no tree skiing here at all.

Coming down after a huge leg burner.... 3000 vertical feet here.

Hiking up to the Cornisa run at El Arpa.  Longest run in the zone. A small walk but at this elevation it can be hard to take normal steps.

Drop in.. El Arpa, CHILE

Anton "Toni" Sponar owns and operates the place.  At 75 he still skis everyday.  A legend in South American snow sports.

Apres time at El Arpa's basic but perfect base lodge made out of rocks from the surrounding area.

Driving back down to town from El Arpa before it gets to dark.  Going from high alpine peaks covered in snow to the foot hills filled with cactus in less then 30 minutes.

Another storm is forecasted for the south so it looks like I'll be headed back to Termas de Chillan.... No train this time.  I've got wheels now. Vamos!

Info

EL ARPA CAT SKIING: www.skiarpa.com

Flights to CHILE: www.lan.com

Tours of CHILE: www.powderquest.com

Don't come down here without wheels on your bag: www.dakine.com