Posts about La Parva
La Parva Adventure Skiing
The most distinctive chute of any South American ski area taunts skiers from its high perch north of the ski area.
La Chiminea is one of the world’s most perfectly shaped chutes and is something of a rite of passage for the local youths.
The typically firm windpack snow surface is sunken below high rock walls.
La Chiminea is accessed by hiking a short and easy ridge left of the top of the new Aguilas chairlift.
Ascend this ridge until high enough to traverse on a flat above a multitude of corniced chutes which loom over the Manantiales road.
Past La Chiminea is a steep, south-facing wall called La Cara.
Another option is to head right from the corniced plateau mentioned above and continue up the ridge.
There are two big bowl systems in this area, the farthest of which is called Galerias del Pintor.
This can feed inattentive skiers into Valle Nevado. Check at the restaurant at 3,100m for more information or to tie in with locals headed for the area.
La Parva Ski Tips and Strategy
La Parva has a longitudinal orientation.
Many runs will thus be accessed with more than one lift.
Local skiers shun the comfortable chairlifts for the speedier and less crowded poma lifts which seem to shoot off in every direction on the mountain.
Beginners can ski undisturbed at the northern base of the ski area below the village.
Intermediates seem to enjoy the super-wide Las Flores bowl which boasts a consistent drop for long, cruising, GS turns.
Advanced skiers should try the south-facing bowl under the return traverse from the Tortolas chairlift.
This is probably La Parva’s best mogul and powder area.
Experts are advised to venture out on the Manantiales traverse and ski the Mirador and Pared areas which then feed into the Super-G terrain of Barros Negros.
La Parva Geography – Ski Chile
La Parva’s lifts ascend a narrow, rolling slope between the valley which separates it from the cone of El Colorado and the flat, featureless, and snowy plain to the north.
La Parva was the highest ski area in Chile until Valle Nevado accessed the Tres Puntas ridge in 1989.
With five lifts above 3,100m (10,170ft), La Parva has had several late seasons with closing dates in mid-December in 1983 and 1984.
Under poor snow conditions, the area operates from the 3,100m level which is reached via the Alpha quad chair.
La Parva translates to “The Haystack” which is the name of the peak that overlooks the ski area.
More posts about La Parva:
Ski La Parva – Santiago Ski Resort