Argentina, Chile, New Zealand
Argentina, Chile & New Zealand: A Cross-Continental Ski Trip
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1 hemisphere, 3 countries, 1 week. Sounds like your kind of ski trip? This eight-night action-packed ski holiday will take you to some of the best ski spots in the Southern Hemisphere from Argentina and Chile to New Zealand in the space of a week. Start off in Mendoza, Argentina at the Cavas Wine Lodge, close to the Las Leñas valley, where you’ll be helicoptered up to one of the leading ski resorts in the country, as well as be amazed by the finest wines worldwide. From Argentina, we’ll fly you west over the border to enjoy the rest of your Andean adventure in Chile and the chic capital of Santiago. From here you’ll be flown up to the nearby resort of Valle Nevado, which boasts the largest ski area in the Southern Hemisphere. Then, from Santiago, you’ll fly over the Pacific to New Zealand, where we’ll show you one of our favourite retreats, Minaret Station nestled in the Southern Alps, where we’ll show you some of the best in freestyle and cross-country skiing in New Zealand whilst holing up in some seriously unique tented suites.
Hit the slopes in South America
Your ski adventure starts off at Cavas Wine Lodge in Argentina, which sits only 40 minutes’ drive from Mendoza airport. Whilst staying for two nights in this charming, rustic abode, we’ve organised a gourmet lunch at one of the Lodge’s local wineries, where you’ll feast on some of the finest South American cuisine and Mendoza’s world-renowned wine all within an authentic Argentine ambience. Having slept in luxury Cavas comfort and enjoyed a wholesome breakfast, you’ll be flown over the awe-inspiring Andes by helicopter, where you’ll embrace skiing and boarding at Las Leñas. In particular, Las Leñas valley boasts a winter wonderland for off-piste backcountry skiing so delight in the wide, snowy Latin landscape. Whilst you slice through the fresh-fallen powder, nip into the resort’s snow park and practice some jumps or enjoy some rare night-time skiing thanks to its select late-closing pistes.
Make this itinerary yours
Each and every Black Tomato trip is tailored exactly to who you are and what you want to do So tell us about yourself and we’ll create something that’s entirely you.
Start PlanningAfter a good night’s rest, you’ll return to Mendoza airport, where you’ll be flown an hour west to Santiago de Chile’s International airport. Just 20 minutes from here, you’ll spend the next two nights enjoying Santiago’s convenient mountain location, where a swift helicopter ride offering the most picturesque panorama of the epic Andes summits, will take you to Valle Nevado. With your skis on the ground, we’ll map out the valley’s 7,000-acre endless slopes as you ski below the country’s local residents – the mighty Condor. With its unrivalled sunshine hours coupled with top-quality snow conditions, thanks to the mountain’s exceptionally high altitude, you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from Valle Nevado’s pristine powder. Perhaps give heli-skiing a-go to discover the most intrepid of trails or, better still, create your own. Enjoy some last après-ski and some of the best Chilean wine and food before you ready yourself for a very different side to ski culture over the Pacific.
Shoot down the Southern Alps
For your precious last days, we’ll send you 13 hours over the Pacific into Auckland, where you’ll be connected just under 2 hours to Queenstown airport. 1 final hour will take you to the shorelines of the stunning Lake Wanaka, where you’ll hole up for four final nights at the warm and cosy Minaret Station, where from your chic tented suite you’re treated to incredible views over the snowy Southern Alps just a stone’s throw away. A 30 minutes’ drive or exhilarating helicopter flight will take you to New Zealand’s Treble Cone ski area, which boasts optimum skiing with a huge host of challenging, steep trails and seamless snow. Alternatively, head to the Harris Mountains for world-class heli-skiing or Waiorau Snow Farm, where you can show off your freestyle skills or get cross-country. Blessed with breath-taking scenery with its whimsical views overlooking the beautiful Southern Lakes, you’ll be enchanted as you descend New Zealand’s peaks of perfection. With your last slice of energy, return to Queenstown and dine at one of its alluring restaurants before exploring its vibrant night scene.
With your hotel sitting just an hour from Queenstown, the airport is no long journey when it comes to you hopping on your flight back home. This ski trip is fast-paced and jam-packed, but for you ski fanatics, we are certain the adrenaline to experience this whole range of ski culture will keep you hooked from start to finish.