The Sleeping Lion 5

-By Enriqueta Zambonini-

After journeying above the canopy of the Amazon in our previous edition, we now shift landscapes — from lush jungle to snow-covered summits. This month, we rise once again, this time over the towering Chilean Andes, where wilderness meets luxury at 10,000 feet. Here, heli-skiing becomes the ultimate invitation: to carve untouched slopes, savor high-altitude indulgence, and experience the mountains as few ever will.

5. Chilean Andes: Heli-Skiing and Caviar at 10,000 Feet

In winter, the southern Andes transform into a white paradise rarely found on conventional ski maps. And for a select few, the most luxurious – and extreme – way to enjoy it is heli-skiing: helicopter flights to untouched peaks inaccessible by road, where skiers descend on virgin powder without a single track before them.

This privilege is reserved for a fortunate few. In Chile, for instance, specialized operators offer excursions into the heart of the central Andes, just an hour from Santiago. There, guests land directly on high-altitude helipads above 3,500 meters and descend slopes offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, hidden glaciers, and deep canyons ending in native forests.

After the descent, luxury continues chilled champagne in crystal glasses, fresh caviar or trout, and a helicopter ride back to boutique lodges tucked into the mountains. Some combine signature architecture with open-air thermal spas, massage rooms overlooking the valley, and gourmet tasting menus paired with exceptional wines.

In Argentina, the Mendoza region – with its snow-covered peaks and nearby vineyards – is emerging as a premier heli-ski destination. From private estancias in Valle de Uco or Tunuyán, flights depart to remote summits, and on return, the welcome takes the form of high-altitude wines, crackling fireplaces, and Andean cuisine reinterpreted by local chefs.

In every case, the experience is tailor-made: ski in the morning, spa by afternoon, and private dinners either fireside or beneath a sky that seems hand-painted.

Fun fact: Chile is now one of the top three heli-ski destinations in the Southern Hemisphere, alongside New Zealand and Alaska, thanks to its untouched terrain, dry climate, and reliable snow conditions.

For true lovers of adventure and comfort, heli-skiing isn’t just a sport. It’s a way to access nature without filters – to touch vastness, and return transformed. And as always, it all begins with the soft roar of rotors over fresh snow.

Celebrity retreat: Chile has quietly hosted winter escapes for over a dozen international celebrities, drawn by the promise of skiing without paparazzi or crowds.

See you in our next edition — where another corner of the world awaits to be explored from above.