Termas de Chillan, Chile – Love at first site—it’s a rarity. But when I met La Rosa, I knew it was true.

Don’t go thinking I just met my bride-to-be. No, La Rosa is a van and a guy named Sebastien owns her. She is big, red, has duallies on the back, and a grained-wood interior. She has a sink, dual benches, storage, and, with a little effort, you can fit a dozen shreds and gear in her to go riding at Termas de Chillan. A worthy object of affection indeed.

Termas de Chillan lies a five hour train ride and two hour bus ride south of the Chilean capitol of Santiago and is where I spent the last three days with the K2 Snowboards crew. Despite warm weather, rain, snow, sleet, and limited sleep, we managed to find a lot of fun features to ride amongst the expansive, rolling volcano upon which the resort is built. From the dragon’s tail, a gnarled, curve tree to natural quarterpipes and gully slashers, Termas delivered in less than epic conditions. It was three fun days of riding on sketchy, curved pomas and dilapidated doubles with trees trying to hook your board off and nights gambling in the casino at the resort amongst the Chilean bourgeoisie.

But three days isn’t long and we are now back in Farellones for three more days of sun-drenched riding at the triple resorts of La Parva, Valle Nevado and El Colorado, where road runs beckon and a reasonable park keeps the jib-friendly occupied. But it feels like something is missing—riding the resort shuttles just seems to lack a bit of character after our time in Chillan.

Viva La Rosa—and here’s to more good riding in the southern hemisphere.

Photo 1: Chris Beresford

Photo 2: La Rosa

Photo 3: Hiking to the hot springs

Photo 4: Aaron Robinson

Photo 5: The crew