Don´t slam the door / Photo from Benjamin Hull
Its the highest ski resort at an altitude where oxygen is scarce and normal breathing is difficult. Yes, we are talking about Chacaltaya, the world’s highest ski resort that boast of embracing some die-hard skiers from all around the world. This resort is built on the top of the glacier, just 18 miles from Bolivia’s capital, La Paz. It stands as an extremely high resort with a top elevation of dizzying 5421 m (17785 feet) , overlooking the view of jaw dropping lake, Titicaca and the city La Paz.
This mountain range in Bolivia is around 30 km from the capital La Paz. La Paz is the base for people, dieing hard to ski at Chacaltaya. Being the world’s highest capital city, La Paz offers the ultimate for lofty adventures. The city is divided into three distinct areas – La Zona Sur, a low lying affluent area, El Alto, a poor area in the hills and El Centro that boasts of shopping, markets and other tourist attractions.
The glacier on Chacaltaya serves as Bolivia’s only ski resort. This equatorial ski area is the world’s highest lift served ski area as well as the northernmost ski area in South America.
Skiing at Chacaltaya ski resort is based on one main run and one chairlift. The vintage ski lift synonymous to ‘flying pigs‘ will take you to a point 395 feet below the summit. The lift ascends the middle of a year round snowfield high above the elevated altiplano of Bolivia. From here, the downhill piste itself is easier for intermediate skiers, but due to difficult chairlift, high altitude and old equipment on offer, it seems more suitable for the advanced group.
Although it is a year round snowfield, the lift is generally open during the rainy season. Skiing can be found as early as mid September, while during the colder dry season the snow seems too hard and icy for safe skiing, making Chacaltaya the only ski in South America to have a ski season corresponding to that of North America. Before attempting to load the lift, skiers must familiarize themselves with the heaving apparatus otherwise there’s always a chance of risk.
To load, you need to hold the hook over the cable and allow the cable to zip freely in the U-shaped groove. Remember the moot point is to maintain constant tension on the rope to sustain its bight on the cable. Whenever this tension is relieved, the hook will fly off the cable, pushing the skier on the try again mode.
However, the glacier that once surrounded the lodge with copious amount of snow is melting fast. Scientists say that glaciers are increasingly receding throughout the Andes but the Chacaltaya’s melting has been especially quick due to climate change. Attributing the melting to the growing emission of Green House gases causing global warming, scientists are speculating that Bolivia’s skiing tradition could be in the extinct list when Chacaltaya’s modest ski run may disappear forever in a few years.
(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
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11 Comments, Comment or Ping
By Chile ski resorts posted on Jan 12th, 2009
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I’ve been in La Paz, but never heard of Chacaltaya. I mean… Skiing at a place that doesn’t even has a nursery it’s not my style.
By Joseph Ski posted on Jan 13th, 2009
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Great post! I think this place would be a great one to try on skiing. Thank you for posting. Cheers.
By Kashif posted on Jan 15th, 2009
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Well I have never done it in my life but this sure looks very electrifying though it is pretty cold out there
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By Atniz posted on Jan 16th, 2009
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It’s scary for me to look for such height place. I would call ski-divers are daredevils. I wonder how they can go so up.
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By fun-da-mental posted on Jan 27th, 2009
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Fantastic photos, one would not think that poor Bolivia is such an interesting country! Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
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By Ben Hull posted on Jan 29th, 2009
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[quote comment=""]Fantastic photos, one would not think that poor Bolivia is such an interesting country! [/quote]
Hey, thanks! That’s my photo up the top there – be nice if the guys who post this stuff give proper credit when they use people’s photos for profit. The photo is in the commons for non-commercial use.
If you could add a credit for ‘Ben Hull’, that’d be great – thanks!
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By Court Reporters posted on Jul 22nd, 2009
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Great place Chacaltaya. I don't know about it. Thanks for information about worlds highest ski resort. It looks fantastic.
By nodttiurp posted on Oct 21st, 2009
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Hottnez has errored by labeling the dangerous, 2nd-hand, rope tow as a chairlift.
I believe that the highest chairlift in the world is the highspeed quad at Breckenridge, CO which ends about 13,000 ft., nearly 4,000M.
By nodttiurp posted on Oct 21st, 2009
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New information tells me that the lift is no longer operational. Do we define the highest ski resort based upon access (road vs. helicopter vs. hiking), facilities (fees vs. lodging vs, food services) or by lift services. I would argue that a ski resort be defined by the controlled area normally operational on a regular basis.
Does the area provide services?
i.e. Does Chacaltaya no longer qualify as the highest ski resort?
By Deborah posted on Oct 27th, 2009
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I am scared of heights anyone who goes up that high has to be considered a daredevil. Panic Attack Symptoms
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