The Atlas Obscura Podcast 12 Days of Wonder: Chacaltaya
Dec 15, 2025
Meet Don Adolfo, a dedicated caretaker of the Chacaltaya ski resort in Bolivia, once the highest in the world. He shares heartfelt insights about the mountain's calming effects and the brothers' mission to keep the abandoned site clean and welcoming. The conversation dives into the history and significance of Chacaltaya, its ghostly beauty as the glacier melts, and how the brothers find emotional fulfillment amidst the stunning views. Their commitment to the mountain is both inspiring and poignant.
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Childhood Dream Became A Life
- Don Samuel first saw Chacaltaya in a magazine as a nine-year-old and dreamed of skiing there.
- He later became a ski instructor and spent his life working on the mountain, fulfilling that childhood dream.
Chacaltaya's High-Altitude Glory
- Chacaltaya operated as Bolivia's premier ski resort and hosted serious skiers for decades.
- Its restaurant even held a Guinness record as the highest restaurant in the world during the resort's heyday.
Glacier Loss Outpaced Predictions
- Scientists predicted Chacaltaya's glacier would vanish by 2015, but warming accelerated the loss.
- By 2009 the glacier was gone, ending the mountain's reliable snow and its role as a ski destination.
