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Summer 2022……
How odd it felt waxing the skis and prepping for a ski trip in the middle of August during triple digit temps. The looks we received departing OKC airport with ski bags was just as peculiar. And yet people were quite intrigued and interested in what was going on.
A quick flight to Atlanta and then on to Santiago. The customs department in Chile wasn’t near as daunting as we were expecting. Through the lines pretty quick, no cavity searches, gather everyone up and load the vans. After a quick stop at the grocery store we started the drive up the mountain. No less than 59 switchbacks later we arrived at the snow capped peaks of Valle Nevado.
During the next week we skied/boarded, ate, drank, and apre every day. Many new friends were made, many people conquered new challenges, and ALL had a great time (check out the facebook posts for daily shenanigan’s).
Wrapping up Valle Nevado we journeyed back down those same switchbacks to Santiago. Our Hotel was smack dab in the middle of downtown which afforded us easy walking access to so many different sights. From the Presidential palace, to the governmental offices replete with a set of gallows in the courtyard (we will assume for historical purposes), to San Cristobal high above the city centre we didn’t want for things to do. Many restaurants were frequented to immerse ourselves with new flavors and tastes (even if we had no idea what was in it). And to top if off we got to witness a historical countrywide vote during our stay. There was no shortage of police, protestors, paddy wagons, water cannons, and tear gas. Thankfully our curiosity was tempered by the hotel staff that evening that advised us to stay in for the evening. Watching some activities from the hotel rooftop was quite interesting.
Finally we had to wrap it up and head home after two weeks…..Planning has already commenced for another South of the Equator trip in the future. How does skiing in Argentina with a week after in Patagonia sound ?
Trip words that live in infamy in no particular order for those that went: Iridescent, DTF, Vermont, Pico, Well Balanced, Fritz, Girth, mas mas mas bebidas, Ride it like a girl, and BANO!
~Ryan
Day 13 and the time has come an end. The group wandered around the city for one last time. Took more pictures and then it was time to head to the airport. Little did we know that the entire airport system was down in Santiago. 3.5 hour delay as they had to hand write the boarding passes and bag tags. Many more details..... Come to SNO to hear stories.
Looking forward to seeing US soil.
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Day 12 and more exploration of Santiago. The group split up today and did various side tours. Some did a cooking class, some explored various markets, and some made the journey to the top of San Cristobal. Amazingly enough access to San Cristobal was either through an extremely long walk or via the funicular for about 2500 pesos. The views from high above the city centre were amazing. Interesting people were met from all over the world today. The Dutch included.
At the end of the day we all gathered back together for a group dinner at Mestizo.
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Holy cow was dinner great. Peruvian food that didn't dissapoint. Oh.... And someone had a birthday.
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Day 11. We woke up to yet another fun day planned and it didn't dissapoint. Our journey today took us out south of Santiago to the Concha y Toro winery in the Pirque region. We explored the grounds with our exceptional guide Rodrigo who not only educated us on the history of the families but introduced us to several of their varieties via a glass. Our wandering continued with special access to the Diablo cellar where the stories and history continued. Are we coming home with special wine and Pisco you ask? You know us better.
Next we made a special stop at the Agroecologica School of Pirque established in 1991 where we learned about their educational programs for the 450 students at their school. Not only do they educate them from 4 years to 18 but they have several specialized directions with irrigation, husbandry, and organic agricultural. 100% of the students graduate and 75% graduate as an Agricultural Technician that gains them immediate employment. In a country where employment can be difficult they provide a hand up and future to a younger generation. The foundation is supported 60% by the government and the rest by private donations and the mercado on site. The vegetables, milk, eggs, and fruit they harvest on site not only sustains the operation but they sell them to several restaurants in Santiago. We were grateful to eat lunch there and bring a few things home from their shop to support them.
During the ride home there may have been some siestas.
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Day 10 and we took a group outing into Santiago. We walked all the way to the San Cristobal funicular to check that out. During our route we passed a polling place where they were voting for their new constitution. Needless to say it was quite busy considering the vote was compulsory or you were fined 200,000 pesos. We stopped for lunch and had a mixture of Vietnamese and Chilean. Afterwards we returned to the hotel for drinks and a partial send off of three of our group back to the USA. 🛩️
More drinks and then dinner which was lovely. Yes another social event with everyone present. Group trips are so much more fun when you get to know everyone and socialize throughout the whole trip. Such a great bunch of people.
Who is up for skiing south of the equator in the future?
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Day 9 and we saw the Pacific Ocean from Chile today. After a filling breakfast our group set out on an excursion westward to Valapariso and Vina del Mar. We experienced many different street art, wall art, and killer views. Our lunch break was decidedly gratifying as we sat on the deck at Kapura Restaurant. While the Valapariso Mules were an overwhelming hit there were many other drinks that were had. Upon wrapping up we walked through town and motored on to Vina del Mar to visit an original relic from Easter Island. At the conclusion of our outing we returned to Santiago for more drinks and another outing within the city for more drinks, dinner, and a what should have been a roadie.
We await yet another day of exploration and enrichment.
Do you have an idea of what trips are in store for the clubs future? Come to the next SNO and let's chit chat!
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Day 8 and no skiing today. We had a relaxing morning that culminated with some fresh lunch crepes and desert crepes (you know there was Nutella involved). Instead of skiing down the mountian we drove down doing 60+ switchbacks, foxes, horses, cows and more turns along the way as we moved to our next destination in downtown Santiago. Upon settling into our new digs there was some subway and around the block familiarization that occurred. Just in case (who are we kidding) some of us need confession we have a church next door.
Happy hour with Terra Patagonias, Honey Old Fashioneds, and of course wine was had after which dinner was had. After more laughing, wine consumption (again), and general evy of the fun our table was having we had visitors from down under. Who would have thought we had shorter people on this trip than New Zealanders. After showing them pictures of Steven Adams we were best buddies. Finally we had desert that almost looked too good to eat but rest assured consumption is all our middle name by now. At least this time we weren't the last ones out of the restaurant.
Next stop, the Pacific Ocean.
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Day 7 and 6th day skiing! Last day on the slopes was blessed with some cooler temps and wonderful snow conditions. The morning was smooth and fast which was perfect race course conditions for the Austrians. The afternoon softened up nicely after our lunch break where more crazy shenanigans were attempted. We wrapped up the last ski day in splendid fashion.
Full group apres in the pool and a crazy group Italian dinner
Next stop Santiago and more fun exploration.
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Day 6 and 5th day of skiing! We expected there to be some clouds today and possibility of snow and yet we were graced with more sunshine and a great day. The Austrian ladies were practicing again and broke in some runs for us. Morning group ski was great and with a wonderful lunch break. Afterwards there was an afternoon of shenanigans that involved hiking, some awesome lines, a condor sighting, and some burnt legs.
Did you have to ask if apres was in the pool?
Group dinner was a wonderful Chilean restaurant again. Fish, steaks, ceviche, seafood, wine, more pisco sours, more wine, and some yummy deserts. We even learned new acronyms....
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Day 5 and 4th day of skiing! Today we ventured out across the mountian to the La Parva area. This involved an extended catwalk from Valle Nevado and walk across a ridgeline crest at 11.7k ft. After taking some gorgeous pictures of the area we reached the snow line again, shed some jackets, and clipped back in whilst now standing at La Parva. Buzzing all over the mountian we had a great pit stop at the mid mountian and then ran into the Austrian women's team the the French mens team practicing super G. Screaming fast doesn't adequately describe them. Upon wrapping up a wonderful time at La Parva we crossed back to Valle Nevado at 12k ft. Skiing back to the hotel other shenanigans were attempted.
Meanwhile back at the hotel someone was rubbing elbows with the Austrian ladies.
Yes there was another apres in the pool.....
Yes there was another great group dinner with fish, steaks, sushi, things that didn't have names, more pisco sours, wine, and yummy deserts.
#wishyouwerehere
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Come join us on upcoming trips (www.okcskiclub.org) and meet up at Skiers Night Out once a month to discuss the fun times. ... See MoreSee Less
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Day 4 and 3rd day of skiing! Another glorious morning with virtually noone on the mountian. The groomers were perfect and soft with the warmer overnight temperature. Today was another bluebird day that was coatless almost all day. Bright beaming sunshine baking us and giving us nice tans.
Yep, another apres in the pool......every day.
Austrian women's ski team has been using all the sports equipment at the hotel. Saw an exercise machine on the balcony and found the stationary bike in the hallway. They were on the hill today practicing downhill, slalom, giant slalom, and combined. Entertaining to see.
Group dinner tonight was buffet style with all different meats, fish, pasta, other things we couldn't recognize, and of course dessert.
To top it off there is a rock band playing at the club tonight. Will be a late night.
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Day 3 down with our 2nd day of skiing. Adventures increased today as we made it to the highest accessible point on the mountian that clocked in at 12,107....which in itself doesn't sound like that much of an accomplishment until you know that that was only accessible via a 1400ft lift via poma. We pointed the tips up and clenched the whole way! Our legs were burning good by the end of the day, but the views were so worth it.
Thankfully there is that huge hot tub! An hour and a half later we were wrinkly and relaxed. Americanos in Chile!
Yes we had another gorgeous sunset with a sliver of new moon winking at us.
We wrapped up the evening with a three hour Italian dinner that featured so many dishes.....and desert! Pictures will do better than words. More wine, more pisco sours, and some more wine.
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Day 2 and we were on the mountian! Not a tree in sight and a clear bluebird day. Breaking back in the legs skiing in August was a treat. We explored quite a bit of the mountian today, rubbed elbows with the women's Austrian ski team, and actually met quite few people from the States. So many long runs that were a blast with all nationalities of peoples that are here for the same reason. Definately burned off that French dinner and big breakfast!
Finished up the day in the large hot tub and talked with so many new people. Definately a hoppin place.
Walking between buildings tonight revealed yet another unfathomable sunset with no clouds.
Tonight's group dinner featured Chilean foods with a larger Pisco Sour Cathedral (bigger, stronger, and more), eel soup, more wine, hake, filet, beef tenderloin, wagyu, salmon, ceviche, and to finish it off some yummy cheesecake and raspberry sorbet. Three hours later we were done.
Lastly the dance club called a few to the top floor of Tres Puntas where you can still hear it raging the next hotel over. Saturday night in Chile....
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What a great end to the first day. French food was served with a glorious sunset at our backs while we ate. Pisco Sour and and Crème Brûlée
Skiing starts in the morning!
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No cavity searches!
We have arrived...
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Taking some money home......
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Follow along for the next two weeks as we explore the southern hemisphere during winter. ... See MoreSee Less
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