A Final Update

The official conclusion of the First South American Summit has now passed. Although the late arrival of the Santa Rosa snows might leave some thinking our timing was less than perfect, all maggots and future maggots who skied Las Leans the past two weeks would disagree. Everything was perfect. Faced with a base that sat almost two months with no significant new snowfall, it was proven once more that great runs are what you make them. More importantly, this Summit confirmed the beliefs of those attending that sometimes the peripheral activities associated with skiing can be every it as rewarding as the skiing itself.

The hikes, the cat runs, the road runs and the couple of pisters we did were beyond totally rewarding. But, as with all Summits past, the bonds that were made will live forever with those who attended. Bonds between maggots who only knew each other from their electronic associations, bonds between maggots and skiers and boarders who will now enter the maggot brotherhood, bonds made high in the Andes on sunny days with endless smiles and the forgings of camaraderie virtually unthinkable in the hectic world of everyday business left so far behind. The soul of skiing embraced an off season resurrection for North Americans in Las Lenas who couldn't handle the drought any longer. And once again, maggots brought their spirit to a faraway land to share the joys of skiing and relating in person to others consumed with the passion.

So many adventures and tales will endure for telling at future gatherings and on the message boards. Tales of drinking, dancing and rubbing shoulders with many of the best skiers that ever lived, epic disco insanity that raged until sunrise, midwinter t-shirt corn days, disaster on the rocks and the most intriguing story of all, one future maggot's trophy cougar hunt. All that can be said is when the safari was over, he had this to say, As I was leaving her room, I noticed she had a brown one-piece ski suit with a leather belt. I wanted to grab it and nail it on my wall back home. So that's it. So many friendships with so many great people. Basom, Noodles, T-rex, Re, Boit and Tonsilvarnish all making sure the maggot spirit was passed on. So many new larvae soon crawling out of their cocoons. It's all over now, but some will stay on harvesting new areas of the mountain as new snow continues to fall. Many have left and are already missed dearly. As we look forward to the next Summit, one thing is certain: It ain't just about the skiing. Gracias, Buenos Noches, and Via con Dios, Maggot Amigos. Teniamos divertidos.

For any of you heading to Las Lenas who have no clue on accommodations, these maggots have it wired. Check them out:
Mark Lasseter laslenasski.com
Sergio Begue skitheandes.com