Regional Summary
National Name: Republic of Bolivia
Capital: Sucre (judicial) / La Paz (administrative)
Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Currency: Boliviano (BOB)
Highest Point: Nevado Sajama (6,542m / 21,463ft)
Overview
Bolivia is the world's 28th-largest country. At 1,098,580km2 it is about 1.5 x the area of Texas. Bolivia has been landlocked since 1879 when Chile took control of its coastal land. The highlands of the country are in the west and form part of the Andes Mountain chain. The well-know Lake Titicaca is located on the Bolivian / Peruvian border.
Although South America conjures up images of southern hemisphere skiing and this is certainly the case in Chile and Argentina whose resorts thrive during from July to September, the best skiing in Bolivia is during the northern hemisphere winter e.g. January to March.
Bolivia's skiing is glacier dependent and unfortunately is being jeopardised by global warming. It seems likely that in 3-4 years there will be no skiing at Bolivia's one resort - Chacaltaya. If you want to ski or board in Bolivia you need to get your skates on. Even now the 'resort' which is essentially a lodge with one run has to be accessed by trekking since the one lift broke.
However, where else could you ski above the clouds at a dizzying 17,388ft with a view of Lake Titicaca on the horizon? This is higher than some commercial jets fly!
