Day four of our southern hemisphere ski adventure and it is time to head to the resort. The resort is called Las Leñas, where Vail Resorts has negotiated a deal to make the EPIC pass valid year round. If you were looking for the perpetual ski pass, or Endless EPIC as it has been dubbed, now you can ski with one pass in two different hemispheres, year round. So, while the last few days of our travel have been full of exploration and incredible experiences , it is time to ski. We packed our gear in to the van and prepared for the journey south.
The trip to Las Leñas from Mendoza can be slightly daunting without the proper negotiations and prior planning. The vast open spaces that fill the mid regions of Argentina are arid, yet nothing short of beautiful and mystifying. The climate and weather alike rely on the massive Andes mountains that fill the skyline to the west as you travel south along a double lane road (Highway 40) going to what seems like nowhere. Traveling from village to village with nothing but desert, ranches, and the periodic vineyard filling the space between, the journey is an adventure but worth the time, because time passes effortlessly with the Andes filling the skyline.
On our way however we got a little tired and need to stretch our legs. So our chaperon, driver, and new friend “Gator” pulled a move that you can only get away with in South America. Without hesitation, he and cutoff a police car to get them to stop. Apparently that is how you get directions down here, but without any vacillation he walked right up to their car and asked where we could find a local soccer field. A few moments later we pulled up to the quintessential South American “football” field complete with wooden goal frames, a dirt pitch, and a trash pile in the corner. Strewn about the field were pieces of broken glass and other hazards, that to our overprotective country would have been a concern, but after a few minutes of talking to the kids one boy had already ran home and retrieved a ball and the game was on. Gringos, and all the little kids, vs. the rest. The game was a little lopsided considering after just a few moments we had the impression a bunch of Pele and Beckham proteges were about to teach some gringos a lesson, however we gave it our best effort and it was the perfect break to our drive. Both teams scored some goals and with the neighborhood coming out to see the gringos play, it was an experience we will never forget. Surrounded on three sides with brick walls, an irrigation ditch only two feet behind the northern goal, the Andes mountains in the background, and thirty kids running around with smiles on their faces made for some great photos and memories for us all.
When were finished we got some sodas, local neighborhood roasted chicken, and bread for the kids to eat some lunch before we hit the road. A little tired and smelling like we had just played soccer for an hour in a dusty field, we eagerly laughed and reflected about the invigorating experience as we headed south. Back on the road our day was far from over however. Gator had a shortcut in mind for us, and next thing we found out was that our driver used to be a rally car driver. Not far down the road we took a right and left the pavement and sanctuary of any sort of civilization. Needless to say when we hit the dirt the speed increased which non of us were used to, but along the way before we arrived at Las Leñas shortly after we came across a reservoir, sheep, horses, cattle, and so many views of incredible mountains I am worried how long it will take me to edit them all from my camera.
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