The ski resort of Chacaltaya holds a number of unique titles which include, the only ski resort in Bolivia, the northern most ski resort in South America, the fastest surface lift in the world, the closest ski resort to the equator as well as the highest ski resort on the planet. It was opened in the 1930’s but global warming has melted more than 80 percent of the glacier in the last 20 years. It is widely believed that in less then 3 years Chacaltaya will be no more.
The International Herld Tribune brings us more on this story.
CHACALTAYA, Bolivia: The lodge here at what bills itself as the world’s highest ski resort has fraying black- and-white photos evoking memories of the years when this country had an Olympic ski team.
The die-hard skiers of Bolivia still boast about the place, asking where else one can ski above the clouds at a dizzying 5,300 meters, or 17,388 feet, with a view of Lake Titicaca on the horizon.
Where else, they ask, would the après-ski tradition include coca tea and soup made from the grain of the quinoa plant?
Their pride in the ski resort here, the only one in Bolivia, soon gives way to a grim acceptance that the glacier that once surrounded the lodge with copious amounts of snow and ice is melting fast.
Attributing the melting to the growing emission of greenhouse gases causing global warming, scientists say the Bolivian skiing tradition could be extinguished when the modest Chacaltaya ski run disappears forever in a few years. Full Story Here
Other Links
insurance.essentialtravel.co.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chacaltaya
*** Chacaltaya has official closed. Sad day for the ski world.
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