Tony Crocker wrote:It was obvious from the narrative that La Hoya was the highlight of this trip, but the pictures (finally!!!) reinforce the point.
I sometime like places that are off-radar. A series of factor definitely made this the highlight of my trip. To use an analogy, some like Altabird, Whistler ski trips while others like places like Castle or Shames. La Hoya fits in the second category while Portillo, Las Lenas or the Valle Nevado gang would be in the first. Not saying that the skiing is better at one place versus the other, but there is something to be said about non-commercial places.
Tony Crocker wrote:Terrain-wise, as good or better than Chillan? Steeper, at least at the top, is the impression from the pics.
We had an interesting discussion at the Hostal that night. A few French skiers from the Alps and myself discussing various places in SA. Most of us agree that Termas was our favorite. Slackcountry and backcountry possibilities are endless at the other place. Size and vertical of area is also bigger. The steeps about the chair were off-limit when we were there. Not sure if that is always the case, however there is something to be said about those off-piste (on map) lines about the base.
La Hoya is pretty rocky place is some parts.

Hard to know how much snow falls here? All this being said, out of all the areas I've seen in the past two seasons, La Hoya is one of the places I would like to return.
PS. I'll try to post the other pics for Catedral and Bayo in the next few days, however Bluesfest is starting tomorrow night and plus I'm seeing a midnight show of Peter Murphy on Friday.
