Skiing BELOW THE Equator
Summer is a popular time for beach vacations, but if you’re not into sun and sand, why not consider a ski getaway instead? In parts of the Southern Hemisphere, where it’s winter, the slopes beckon.
Valle Nevado, which is 90 minutes from Santiago, Chile, has access to 7,000 acres of terrain and is one of the largest ski resorts in South America. The resort offers weeklong ski packages at three different hotels from the end of June to the end of September.
At the two-star Hotel Tres Puntas, rates begin at $1,386 a person, and at the Hotel Puerta del Sol, they begin at $1,600 a person. At the Hotel Valle Nevado, they begin at $2,205 a person. These prices include lift tickets and breakfast and dinner. Book by emailing reservas@vallenevado.com or by calling the resort at 844-6570466. Three- and five-night packages are also available.
The four-star Courtyard Santiago Las Condes is offering a snow package on weekends from June 25 through August that includes skiing at Valle Nevado. Guests get breakfast, two tickets for one-day access to Valle Nevado and hot chocolate for two at the end of the ski day. Tickets cost $199 a night for two people, and a two-night minimum stay is required. Book online at the resort’s website.
In Argentina, Powderquest Tours is offering an eight-day Ski Progression Adventure in Patagonia from July 28 to Aug. 4. Skiers stay at small hotels in the villages of Bariloche, Villa La Angostura and San Martín de Los Andes and receive daily ski lessons and lift tickets. The package also includes breakfast and dinner, red wine at dinner and private transportation throughout. Book by calling Powderquest Tours at 888-5657158.
Liz Burgos, a travel agent with Protravel International, offers a private seven-night Ski the End of the World getaway to Ushuaia Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Included is a stay at Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort, breakfast, four days of fullaccess ski lift tickets, private car transfer between the hotel and the ski area, a private tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park and a cruise along the Beagle Channel to see sea lions. Prices start at $7,100 a person, and you can book by calling Burgos at 212-755-4550.
The youth travel agent STA Travel offers a seven-day ski trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, called Ultimate NZ Ski. Travelers get to hit the slopes in three different areas, the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona. The trip starts June 23 and includes accommodations, four-day ski passes and some meals. Prices start from $1,183 per person. You can book by calling STA Travel at 800494-9260.