Skiing in Termas de ChillanAug 1, 2006
|
|
These gloves are really warm
gimme a hug!
The entrance to Termas de Chillan
Chris has been counting down the sleeps and the day finally arrived that we left the relentless rain of Chillan for Valle de Trancas and the ski resort! The chalet we stayed at was in a small complex in the valley, about 20 minutes drive from the slopes at Termas de Chillan.
The peaceful snowy setting was beautiful and our wooden chalet was fantastic with log fire and our own kitchen and sitting area (a rare treat when backpacking). Every morning the ladies at the chalet would quietly sneak in like elves while we slept, to light the fire and warm up the room. All we needed was for them to kick start the porridge and hot milo for breakfast in bed and we would have been in heaven!
Skiing was lots of fun and Chris made a good, patient teacher. I managed to stay on my feet and really enjoyed zipping through the picturesque tree lined trails. There was an army ski school in matching camouflage khaki suits flailing clumsily all over the novice slopes to make me feel better about my technique! There was only one run which I was cursing Chris for as I half skiied, half snowballed down the steep exposed slope! Asides from that the snow was in perfect condition after the heavy snowfalls the previous week and the skies were blue and clear. Chris spent Sunday skiing all the difficult runs while I enjoyed the day at the chalet. Then we both went out again Monday which was the start of the down season so it was perfectly tranquil on all of the lifts and runs. We ended the day with a visit to one of the thermal pools to ease the sore limbs.
It was a wonderful, relaxing five days at the ski chalet. Chris liked it so much he kept the chalet key. We realised it was still in his pocket after we had arrived back in Chillan, an hour or two's drive away. We went to the post office to post it back but the chalet's address was a somewhat vague '72km Valle de Trancas' and there was no post office nearby. So if anyone wants to swing by Chile for a spot of skiing, we know a great little place we can slip you the keys to!
