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[joel hollis]

I was in the process of finalizing ski a trip to Chile for this August when the Quake accorded. Was there damage to the Valley Nevado resort and the Road up? What about Portillo, and Termas?

I guess it might be a good year to go to New Zealand!

[Cabañas Los Andes]

Hey Joel,

I live in the valley of Las Trancas which is at the base of Termas de Chillán.
We were lucky enough not to have any damage what so ever here!

The ski resort will be opening this winter as usual with a possibility of some new lifts!

If you´re looking for great powder skiing then you want to get yourself down to Termas de Chillán this winter!

Hope this helps.
Cheers.
Stu

[joel hollis]

Thanks Stu, thats good news that there was no damage, Chillian took a big hit during the last great earth quake.

They have been planning new lifts for several years now, I will believe it when I see it. The last management company put in the Casino rather than up grading the lifts. Hopefully the new company will do something more useful than just changing the name of the resort!

Did the train line receive damage (Chillian-Santiago)? I amagine that the airport in Conception was destroyed?

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Chile.

[bpassiko]

I called Termas, and everything is fine there. They're in the process of renovating a few lifts (already scheduled before the quake). Some notable improvements: the lower Tata lift is being converted to a quad; the Otto double is getting 3x the number of chairs.

[Cabañas Los Andes]

Hey Joel,

".....than just changing the name of the resort"
That´s funny!
It´s pretty frustrating seeing how these guys work I must admit.
But here in Chile you learn to have patience, or you go crazy!

You´re right, seeing is believing!
I haven´t been up to the ski resort for a while, i´ll take a drive up there and walk around and report back, but yes there is talk of new lifts, we´ll have to wait and see, eh.....

The train is down from Stg - Chillán, I called the other day and they say it´s going to be out of action for at least a month, so that means at least 6

Not sure about the airport in Concepcion, but I guess it was taken out with the earthquake.

Re the lifts posted by "Bpassiko".....
The lower Tata lift was upgraded last year to a quad chair. It´s not a high speed, but at least an improvement.
I´ll look into the Otto, I haven´t heard anything about a 3 man chair replacing the 2 man. My guess is they won´t touch it.
To be honest if they only have the Otto open and it´s a good season for snow it´s still one of the best places to ski in Chile!

[joel hollis]

It is pretty scary if they are adding more chairs to Don Otto Lift without replacing the cable and towers!!