South American winter sports activities… in July?

South America is understood for its tropical rainforests, sunny seashores, and iconic locations like Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands; nonetheless, the southern continent is far more. Most of us haven’t thought concerning the exhilarating snow-covered wilderness of the June-to-October winter months of the southern hemisphere.

It’d shock you that there’s a tremendous number of exhilarating winter season sports activities and actions right here, particularly within the majestic Andes Mountains and the untamed Patagonian area. On the southern continent, you possibly can snowboard and ski, and climb glaciers or ice formations amongst breathtaking, usually untouched landscapes – and normally with out hordes of vacationers operating into one another like in Europe or North America.

Whether or not you’re an adrenaline junkie or a nature lover, South America will hold you busy hitting the slopes, exploring the icy wilderness, or just getting away from the more and more insupportable warmth of the northern summer time.

Beneath, we’ve highlighted the highest winter sports activities actions in South America and one of the best locations throughout the continent to take pleasure in them. 

Resort-based snowboarding and snowboarding: The place ‘going south’ is an effective factor

By way of winter actions, snowboarding and snowboarding are clearly two of the most well-liked on the planet, and South America delivers top-tier experiences for each.

Positioned on this planet’s longest mountain vary, the Andes, trendy ski/snowboarding resorts provide world-class services with entry to high-altitude and deep-powder slopes. As well as, they accommodate a broad spectrum of adventurers at varied ability ranges, from relative newbies looking for a groomed slope to consultants looking for deep snow and powdery descents.

On the continent, the best-known ski resorts (ones like Valle Nevado and Portillo in Chile and Cerro Catedral and Las Leñas in Argentina) are high locations in terms of hitting the pistes to your downhill rush.

Positioned on these pristine slopes, luxurious resorts such because the Portillo boast alpine lodges function non-public fireplaces, connoisseur eating, and paradisaical spas. Some lodges even provide heated outside swimming pools, private ski butlers, unique après-ski lounges, out-of-this-world trekking, and ultramodern health facilities – all set in opposition to breathtaking mountain backdrops.

For chasing snow year-round, assume South America to your subsequent snowboarding and snowboarding journey. 

Backcountry snowboarding and heli-skiing: Study the ABCs (“All the time be carving”)

Many seasoned skiers search for much more thrills by escaping the confines of conventional resorts. They discover that journey actions like backcountry snowboarding, snowboarding, and heli-skiing are proper up their alley. To expertise these, skiers make their solution to pure, ungroomed, unmarked wilderness areas, effectively away from the spruced-up grounds of ski lodges.

In these distant areas of the Andes Mountains, they discover their very own paradise in lengthy, steep descents. Away from the crowds, the backcountry affords untouched powder and pristine landscapes. Right here, one can create a connection to nature deeper than what’s attainable again at a resort.

However, due to the terrain’s unpredictability, given unknown snow depths, avalanche dangers, and unanticipated cliffs, backcountry snowboarding requires extra ability, data, stamina, and gear. Regardless of this, it’s all price it to veteran skiers anxious to interrupt from the group and carve their very own tracks by untouched snow.

A number of the greatest South American backcountry snowboarding on earth — reminiscent of with journey corporations like Andes Heliboarding — might be discovered and completely loved in Chile. Heli-skiing actually takes snowboarding journey to new heights as skiers fly out by helicopter to distant, in any other case unreachable, mountain websites. Rigorously chosen drop-off places are chosen prematurely after the snowpack has been evaluated to verify its security. At these places, a helicopter can safely land and permit all members to exit. (This runs counter to the persisting false impression that skiers by some means soar out of the airborne helicopters to land onto steep and harmful slopes).

As soon as rigorously dropped off at a predetermined web site, the small group of skiers shall be led by extremely expert skilled guides who attempt to reduce any dangers related to this exercise. This enables skiers/snowboarders to benefit from the pure setting and the infinite pleasure of heli-skiing with a sense of safety.

On the web site, you’ll then watch the chicken take off, every skier feeling the percussive thump of the rotors of their chest. After kneeling within the snow with everybody shielding their faces from the blast of wind and swirling snow, silence quickly rushes upon your group. From that second on, you’ll follow your stem turns and ultimately carve your method by knee-deep powder, delighting within the lengthy descents down a number of the most gorgeous slopes on earth.
For the last word backcountry snowboarding journey, assume South America. 

Mountaineering in South America: The place it’s not the summit that issues, however the ascent

If somebody’s requested about winter sports activities in South American, at greatest they’ll provide you with the thought of snowboarding. It’s onerous to think about that the slightly obscure sport of mountain climbing would come to thoughts. However, this exercise is slowly popping up as an attraction to cool-blooded outside lovers searching for new challenges.

For these unfamiliar, mountain climbing is a suspense-filled journey sport that consists of —as its identify implies— scaling partitions of frozen water. For this, the climber depends on an arsenal of specialised objects; gear reminiscent of harnesses, trendy ice axes, ice-gripping crampons, rope strains, helmets, belaying gadgets that function a security brake on ropes, and deep-penetrating ice screws that may stay firmly bolted into the ice in case of a fall. However greater than instruments, the game calls for each energy and technical precision. These qualities permit the climber to scale their goal safely and efficiently.

The “routes” or partitions for mountain climbing differ considerably. These embrace something from seasonally frozen waterfalls and completely frozen alpine couloirs (mountain crevices) to ice-covered rock faces and even massive hanging icicles.

Although you is perhaps shocked, a number of the world’s most demanding and rewarding alternatives for mountain climbing might be present in South America. That is due to South America’s towering Andes, its monumental but snail-paced glaciers, and frigid Patagonian climate.

Certainly, Patagonia affords excellent situations for mountain climbing. On this huge space, skilled climbers dream of Argentina’s Cerro Torre Mountain and Chile’s Torres del Paine Nationwide Park. Additional north, nonetheless, Peru’s Huascarán mountain and Ecuador’s dormant Cayambe Volcano additionally promise unforgettable high-altitude ice-climbing experiences.

Briefly, the fun of mountain climbing together with the fantastic thing about South America and its unique cultures makes the continent an awe-inspiring must-visit vacation spot!  

Snowshoeing and cross-country trekking:
The place the journey’s as compelling because the vacation spot

For these on the lookout for an journey within the continent’s winter wilderness — however at a extra relaxed, one-step-at-a-time tempo — snowshoeing and trekking by South America’s gorgeous landscapes is a peaceable and immersive solution to expertise it.

When on a trekking journey by areas of deep snow, hikers are saved from sinking due to huge, trendy, light-weight snowshoes. These permit vacationers to make their method throughout the deepest snow covers to achieve even remoted areas the place they’ll benefit from the sheer great thing about the continent. Additionally, snowshoes are nice for learners and younger households wishing to find South America’s winter wonderland because the footwear require nearly no coaching.

Snowshoeing and trekking generally will help reveal the breathtaking nature of Patagonia. So the place are a number of the greatest spots? We’re at all times drawn to El Chaltén, Argentina’s trekking capital. Right here, you’ll have your decide of numerous trails meandering by snowy foothills. However there’s additionally the virtually legendary Torres del Paine Nationwide Park in Chile’s Patagonian area, in addition to Peru’s Ausangate peak and Bolivia’s Cordillera Actual. All of those are dream-like worlds for astonishing hikes over snow-covered terrain.

Far off from conventional and well-worn vacationer routes, the wild facet of South America’s winter wilderness might be skilled by these keen to lace up their boots, strap on their snowshoes, and head out on a brisk morning trek throughout newly fallen snow.

South American glacier trekking: Strolling in a winter wonderland

Glacier mountain climbing is the exploration of large, snail-paced flows of ice by strolling throughout, climbing inside, scaling up, or rappelling down these frozen goliaths. Via glacier trekking — which incorporates parts of mountaineering, mountain climbing, and snow trekking — adventurers can witness a number of the planet’s most gorgeous, surreal and ethereal environments.

In contrast to cold-weather South American sports activities loved throughout the Southern Hemisphere’s June-September winter, the safer and extra snug season for South American glacier mountain climbing is definitely throughout the December-through-March summer time months. Throughout this season, glaciers are “dry” (with little or no snow), which permits trekkers to extra simply establish hazards reminiscent of gaping crevices within the ice by which they may fall. You can even extra simply keep away from jagged house-sized pinnacles of unstable glacier ice referred to as “seracs.” All that is to say, it’s typically thought-about safer to hike alongside such dry glaciers.

The very best South American glacier trekking websites embrace the Perito Moreno Glacier, a crown jewel of Argentina; together with the Gray Glacier, situated in Chile’s famed Torres Del Paine Nationwide Park – experiences you’ll always remember… 

Andean mountaineering: Conquer the continent’s vary of peaks

Spanning seven nations to type the longest mountain vary on the planet, the Andes is South America’s most well-known landform. Extending near 4,500 miles throughout the continent, it’s residence to the world’s tallest mountains exterior of Asia.

Given the sheer abundance of mountains and volcanoes discovered right here, it’s simple to know why the Andes hosts so many unbelievable mountaineering locations. What’s extra, the continent’s mountains are vastly totally different, boasting a variety of choices for mountaineers of each ability degree.

The Andes’ smaller peaks are ideally suited to first-time climbers. Modest peaks right here in Ecuador function the proper spot for folks seeking to be taught all the mandatory expertise to change into a mountaineer. The post-card-perfect Cotopaxi Volcano, for instance, requires a comparatively low degree of technical skills. Added to the truth that it’s situated simply exterior of Quito, the nation’s capital, Cotopaxi is likely one of the hottest mountaineering locations for vacationers en path to the nation’s Galapagos Islands.

By way of extra intermediate climbing challenges in Ecuador, there are the Cayambe and Chimborazo mountains, that are tougher on account of their steep slopes and their space’s unpredictable climate. (As a facet be aware, Chimborazo’s summit is technically the very best level on the planet. Its peak is the farthest level from the middle of the Earth because of the planet’s spheroidal form. This implies a climber can brag to pals they’ve conquered a mountain increased than even Everest.)

Nonetheless, South America’s most tough mountain is mostly thought-about to be Cerro Torre. Located on the border between Argentina and Chile within the Southern Patagonian Ice Discipline, its technical and difficult ascents up sheer partitions of rime ice and granite rock pose actual challenges to even skilled climbers.

So, whether or not you’re merely looking for a brand new journey, otherwise you’re a budding novice climber or an skilled alpinist, South America has one thing in retailer. 

Winter kayaking in Patagonia: Connecting with nature to search out interior peace

Although we normally image temperate rivers or calm lakes after we consider kayaking, winter kayaking presents a chance to paddle amid an icy area’s most dramatic surroundings.

Throughout the Southern Hemisphere’s frigid June-to-September months, the waters flip icy, tourism slows, and the summer time crowds skinny out. Those that stay are primarily paddlers. Although they’re in a position to discover the hanging frozen landscapes, one of many biggest points of interest of winter kayaking is its sense of peace and solitude.

Whereas many vacationers would possibly delight within the wintertime of, say, Iceland or Maine, lots vacationers head to the opposite half of the world to expertise the distinctive character and solitude of South America’s winter waters. Journey right here comes full with parts of journey, distinctive wildlife, and jaw-dropping magnificence that’s not so simply skilled elsewhere.

Regardless of if you happen to’re an skilled kayaker or a curious newbie, this winter journey is one you received’t quickly neglect. 

The takeaway: South America, an missed gem for winter journey

Take it from me (the pride-filled man in crimson within the photograph under): South America is a paradise for journey vacationers.

The continent affords an entire host of actions set among the many world’s most lovely and unbelievable winter-season landscapes. For individuals who would like to carve recent tracks within the Andes, scale ice partitions in Patagonia, or trek throughout the huge Chilean glaciers, South America’s winter locations are experiences that may stay in your reminiscence without end. The continent possesses an ideal mixture of wealthy trendy services, pure magnificence, and thrilling sports activities actions that ought to place South America on the high of any adventurer’s record of June-to-October “winter” journey locations.

Alfonso Tandazo

Alfonso Tandazo is President and CEO at Surtrek Tour Operator. Surtrek Tour Operator is a well-established agency, specializing in custom-designed luxurious excursions in Ecuador, the Galapagos and all through the remainder of South America. If you want to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog to be able to increase your profile, please contact us.