Argentina - Las Lenas Ski Resort | Expedition-Logistics

Argentina

Las Leñas Ski Resort

Mountain Statistics

Summit Elevation: 11,253'
Base Elevation: 7,349'
Total Vertical: 3,904'
Number Of Lifts: 12
Skiable Acres: 43,200+
Annual Snowfall: 393 inches

Overview

Experience Level: Beginner through Expert
Duration: 10 days
Skiers: 12
Guides: 2
Land Cost: $3300

Expedition Code

AGLS-10-08200829

Dates

Aug 20 - Aug 29, 2010

Expedition Goals

Las Leñas is a premiere South American ski resort offering a wide variety of beginner and intermediate terrain. Expert skiers and snowboarders can challenge themselves in the resort's vast open bowls and steep avalanche chutes, and everyone can ski one of the longest runs in the world on mostly gentle intermediate terrain. Las Leñas is a small self-contained ski village with a pleasant variety of shops, restaurants and nightclubs, and a casino.

Prerequisites

Participation in this skiing expedition requires some prior skiing or snowboarding experience. Our goals are to have fun on many levels on a great mountain, and skiers and snowboarders of all abilities are welcome. You must have a basic working knowledge of the techniques for staying warm and dry in a winter environment, and a great motivation to participate in fun filled activities. For your maximum enjoyment, and for reasons of safety, you must arrive for this expedition in reasonable athletic condition.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive in Argentina; transfer from airport; hotel check-in; administration & logistics. Arrive in Malargue (4,678’), where an Expedition-Logistics guide will be waiting to greet you. We load our gear into vans for the hour drive to the resort of Las Leñas (7,349’). After a gear inventory and hotel check-in, take some time to relax or explore the town. This evening, get to know your guides and teammates at the welcome-dinner and expedition briefing.

Day 2 — Early wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. This morning we deal with ski rentals and hit the slopes. Your Expedition-Logistics guides are professional ski patrollers — highly trained in the fields of emergency medical care and mountain rescue — and will be keeping a close eye out for team members who might be dealing with altitude issues. Those team members still feeling a little queasy can opt to spend the rest of the day exploring the quaint ski village and acclimatizing.

Day 3 — Casual wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. After leisurely breakfast we grab our boards and head out on our first full day on the mountain. Las Leñas is divided into two areas: the lower mountain and the upper mountain. The lower mountain is served by 8 lifts, and offers a wide variety of beginner and intermediate terrain. The upper mountain is served by 3 lifts, overlooks the entire village, and offers almost unlimited choices of terrain in every direction.

Day 4 — Casual wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. Today we spend another incredible ski day on the slopes of this wonderful resort. In the evening we'll try our luck in the casino, where they offer all your favorite games of chance including slot machines, blackjack, poker, roulette and more. The games open at 5pm, with happy hour from 8 to 10 (more chips for less money) and continue until 4am; just remember that you came for the skiing!

Day 5 — Casual wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. This morning we split up into two groups; one will tackle the steeps and bumps, while the other subdues the cruisers. Later, after dinner, we meet at the Wine Bar at the Atenas to plan the evening's strategy.

Day 6 — Casual wake-up; full day on- and off-piste; evening activities. Today, like yesterday, we will once again split up into two groups. One group will keep it mellow on the mountain, while the other group performs a light reconnaissance on the backcountry scene.

We start by obtaining backcountry access passes from the Ski Patrol headquarters; a small bit of personal information and a signature is all that is required to release the resort from any liability. With our passes in hand, we head to the top of the Marte lift where we easily access incredible terrain.

The backcountry group will mix it up with on- and off-piste runs until it is time to meet our team for another round of the nightlife in Las Leñas.

Day 7 — Casual wake-up; rest day at Los Molles; night skiing. This morning after breakfast we board a bus for the 15 minute ride to Los Molles, where we spend a relaxing half-day soaking in the hot springs. We return to the ski area in the afternoon and ski the rest of the day. In the evening we make runs down the Eros Trail, which is lighted until 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Day 8 — Casual wake-up; full day off-piste skiing; evening celebration. We will spend today seeking out the finest backcountry snow Las Leñas has to offer. The resort is blessed with some of the best and most accessible backcountry skiing and snowboarding on the planet. Just how much terrain there is to ski depends on how far we want to hike. Suffice it to say, it is more than we can ski in a week.

After a few warm-up runs inbounds we head once again for the backcountry gate at the top of the Marte, where we ride the steep and deep. Following our morning leg-burning session we meet the rest of our team at one of the on-mountain restaurants and enjoy a well deserved lunch. Afterwards we'll board a snowcat for even more backcountry sliding.

In the evening we return to our hotel to clean up and prepare for one final night on the town.

Day 9 — Casual wake-up; full day on-piste; evening celebration. After breakfast we have the opportunity to get in a final day's skiing before we bid farewell to Las Leñas. After yesterday's backcountry thigh-burner, we'll spend some time on cruisers to work out the knots. This evening, join your teammates for a celebration dinner and expedition debriefing.

Day 10 — Early wake-up; transfer to airport; return flights home.

Note on Itinerary

Although our guides take reasonable measures to adhere to the itinerary, it is subject to change due to variables including, but not limited to, weather and ski conditions, the condition and ability of the team, local and US government restrictions, airline changes or cancellations, other variables outside the control of Expedition-Logistics, blah, blah, blah.

Land Cost

Land Cost Includes
Professional U.S. and local guides, in-country ground and air transportation, all overnight accommodations, all scheduled meals, ski passes, and group safety equipment (avalanche beacons, probes, shovels, etc.).

Land Cost Does Not Include
International roundtrip airfare, personal equipment (see Personal Equipment Checklist for more information), trip cancellation insurance, medical or evacuation insurance, excess baggage fees or airport taxes, expenses incurred as a result of inclement weather or other conditions of nature, government action, illness, flight delays, or any other delays beyond the control of Expedition-Logistics, including unscheduled hotel nights and meals, incidental personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.), alcoholic beverages, or gratuities to guides and staff.

Additional Information

See our Terms & Conditions for more. If you have questions regarding this expedition or your suitability for it, contact us at climb@expedition-logistics.com; please include your telephone number and the best time to call.