When the former ski resort of Chacaltaya was up and running it held a number of unique titles which included, the only ski resort in the history of Bolivia, the northern most ski resort in South America, the fastest surface lift in the world, the closest ski resort to the equator as well as the highest ski resort on the planet. It was opened in the 1930’s but global warming has melted more than 80 percent of the skiable glacier in the last 20 years. Because of this rapid melting of the glacier Chacaltaya was forced to close it’s doors a few years back. The International Herld Tribune brings us this look back at the only ski resort in the history of Bolivia. CHACALTAYA, Bolivia: The lodge here at what bills itself as the world’s highest ski resort has fraying black- and-white photos evoking memories of the years when this country had an Olympic ski team. The die-hard skiers of Bolivia still boast about the place, asking where else one can ski above the clouds at a dizzying 5,300 meters, or 17,388 feet, with a view of Lake Titicaca on the horizon. Where else, they ask, would the apr!¨s-ski tradition include coca tea and soup made from the grain of the quinoa plant? Their pride in the ski resort here, the only one in Bolivia, soon gives way to a grim acceptance that the glacier that once surrounded the lodge with copious amounts of snow and ice is melting fast. Attributing the melting to the growing emission of greenhouse gases causing global warming, scientists say the Bolivian skiing tradition could be extinguished when the modest Chacaltaya ski run disappears forever in a few years. Full Story Here

Other Links weburbanist.com insurance.essentialtravel.co.uk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chacaltaya *** Chacaltaya has official closed. Sad day for the ski world.

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