Arpa 8/24/2011 (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)
Arpa 8/24/2011 (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)
Arpa 8/24/2011
Arpa 8/24/2011 | (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)

It’s been about a week since Ski Arpa received a healthy layer of new snow but there are still freshies to be had!

Arpa 8/24/2011 (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)
Arpa 8/24/2011 | (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)

I didn’t make it up there myself today but we’ve got some photos and info on the snow thanks to a crew of Ausies that were up there lapping the slopes today. Thanks Sypo, Sachet, Gimp, and Macca from Melbourne for the news. Yeah those are totally their real names…

Arpa 8/24/2011 (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)
Arpa 8/24/2011 | (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)

The upper portions of the mountain are still blower winter pow, especially on the southern exposers. Not face shot deep but still the well preserved backcountry snow that you might expect at a cat skiing operation in the Andes.

Arpa 8/24/2011 (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)
Arpa 8/24/2011 | (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)

A few aspects at the top are wind affected but honestly, wind buff creates some of my favorite conditions. The sun and wind have effected the lower mountain over the last few days. A few melt freeze cycles have developed a crust layer and some variable conditions on the lower 1000 feet or so of skiable terrain but that still leaves ample zones with 2,000 ft of vert to get after. I think if you wanted to you could ski Arpa for a whole year and not ever cross your own tracks.

Arpa 8/24/2011 (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)
Per usual apre BBQ, Ski Arpa Chile, no shrimp | (Photographer: Sypo, Melbourne AUS)

The group from Melbourne reported some moderately slushy conditions at the base of the mountain by the end of the day but with cold temps and a couple possible dustings in the forecast for Arpa I would think it’s gonna stay pretty good in spots and the guides up there will know right where they are at.

weather arpa 8.24.2011
Weather Forecast for Ski Arpa (image: snow-forecast.com)

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3 replies on “Conditions Update | Ski Arpa Chile 8/24/2011”