CASA Tours Switchboard

Skis, Boots, Poles - Go

Posted on July 21st, 2007 by gomez.
Categories: Recent Posts.

By Claire Dibble

It all started with a good deal on some ski boots at the thrift store. I was there looking for snowboard bindings, quite content in my knuckle-dragging existence. Tried the boots on, they fit, left with them slung awkwardly over my shoulder.

It wasn’t long before I found myself watching skiers bounce through powder under the chairlift, almost unaware of the boarders surfing by. But I continued along the same single-track path I’d been riding on, right up until yesterday.

With the thrift store boots, some beat-up touring bindings gifted to me by a supportive skier friend, and my very first pair of brand new skis (a pair of fatties made by the up-and-coming independent company, Faction), I officially began phase two of my life on two planks. Phase one was fun but unimpressive, and occurred between the ages of 6 and 16.

There is perhaps no better place to launch a romance with skis than in Chile. The Andes climb to unequaled heights mere kilometers from the hip downtown of Santiago. It was on the blanketed slopes of Valle Nevado, with its base 60 switchbacks and around 7,500 feet above the city, that I [re]cut my teeth. A storm had brought fresh snow, a high pressure system chased the storm away and left us with blue skies, a perfect combination.

Around mid-day, inspired by photographic opportunity, I followed Mike and Travis to the saddle between Valle Nevado and neighboring resort, El Colorado. We traversed to the virtually untouched lines of Santa Teresa, a terrain feature visible from the access road and full of interesting lines, some quite intimidating for those of us getting reacquainted with skis.

The snow was velvety, just enough powder to make one feel like a hero, but not so much that true powder skiing skill was needed. Perfect for someone like me. The features were visually pleasing, smoothed by snow when seen from above, rock faces tucked beneath arching slopes. We floated our way to the road, just in time to watch Gomez charge down a couloir feature, his giddiness visible even from half a mile away.

Santa Teresa welcomed me to Chile, to skis, and to a summer full of winter, and she did it with style. I can’t wait to ski her again. Or maybe I’ll take the board next time . . .

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