Facilities & Services

In general terms Ski Arpa is a no-frills operation, so don't expect over the top facilities and services.

Day Lodge After the huge disappointment of losing his ski resort and lodge to a huge avalanche, Toni Sponar made sure that the Arpa day lodge was safe from avalanches. He built two small stone buildings into the side of the hill, almost hidden from above.

One of the buildings has toilet facilities which are possibly the most glamorous toilet facilities I've ever seen attached to a cat ski operation. It even has plumbing!

Eating On Mountain Eating at Arpa is a far cry from the grand restaurant at Portillo. Your best bet is to BYO lunch, munchies and drinks. There is a tiny canteen selling snacks and a few beverages, but you won't necessarily return to the day lodge in between runs for lunch (or for a toilet break) so take your supplies out skiing with you.

They have complimentary tea and coffee at the day lodge but don't expect a caffè latte. They also sell beers for après. These can be enjoyed out the front of the lodge whilst taking in the spectacular vistas of the valley and the mountains.

Ski and Board Rental It's likely that the variable snow conditions at Arpa will be more enjoyed with a pair of fat skis. Arpa do not have fat skis for rent, and nearby Los Andes does not have any ski shops even though the town is called "The Andes". You might find fatties in Santiago if you're really lucky, although some of the shops seem to think that Rossignol B3s (that are only 83mm in the waist) are fat skis!

KL Adventures in Santiago (on Camino de Farellones just after the turn-off from Av Las Condes to the Tres Valles ski resorts) might be able to help you. Our experience was that they only had one pair of Pocket Rockets as well as K2 Coombas meant for giants. And chicks may be "prohibited" from renting Coombas by sexist staff. It's probably best to book the limited fat skis in advance.

And if you want to rent a powder specific board, forget it.

Retail Arpa sells some limited souvenirs such as caps, beanies, and short and long sleeve t-shirts at very reasonable prices (pay in cash - pesos or US dollars). The t-shirts are not guaranteed to make you look like a hottie, but they are a great souvenir of an awesome day skiing or boarding in the Andes.