Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding in Argentina

Synopsis:

This tour is for skiers and snowboarders who want to know the Argentina side of the Andes. Activities in this tour are physically demanding with full days of skiing. It is best to bring all your own ski/telemark/snowboard gear. This tour can accommodate a range of skill levels. If the group is large enough, it can be split up into two.

Days of skiing: 8
Lodging in a hosteria, a mountain refugio as well as the ATAC apartment in Bariloche.
Skills: Beginner to Advanced.

Included: All breakfasts during the trip, transportation from Bariloche to Bariloche, lift tickets at resorts as well as one dinner in Bariloche.

Day 1:
Arrival:
Arrive to Bariloche, Argentina via Buenos Aires. In the evening, meet the ATAC trip leader and other trip members. Stay in the middle of town at an ATAC Apartment (30 minutes from the international airport - BRC).


Day 2:
Cholguaco: In the morning, drive 1 hour out of town and up the Cholguaco Road. At the end of the road, skin up the bowls behind the refugio (hut) and ski down different faces of the mountain. This is your warm up day. Climb and descend approximately 2000 feet. In the evening, return to Bariloche to spend the evening in the ATAC Apartment.

Day 3,4 and 5:
Refugio Frey: In the morning, drive 30 minutes on the road to Cerro Catedral. Instead of heading to the lifts, take a trail up the valley to Refugio Frey. After a 3 hour hike up into the hills, dump your sleeping gear at the refugio and continue up for a couple runs on the bowls above Lago Negro. In the evening, relax and dine at the refugio. Spend the next couple days skinning up and skiing down the bowls in the area. Practice basic avalanche rescue techniques and ski. On the afternoon of the 5th day, ski and hike back to the car. Stay the evening in Bariloche.

Day 6:
Cerro Catedral : Relax at the largest ski resort in South America, Cerro Catedral. For those who still have energy from the day before, explore the ridges to 'la laguna'. In the evening, drive to Esquel (4 hours).

Day 7-8:
La Hoya : Drive 13 km straight up the mountain to La Hoya ski resort. After riding the lifts up, ski some of the bowls behind the resort. Spend the next day skiing in the same area or near Cholila. This depends on the group. On the evening of Day 8, return to Bariloche.

Day 9:
Cerro Lopez : Departing Bariloche early in the morning, head 30 minutes along the shores of Nahuel Huapi to Bahia Lopez. Start your ascent by hiking to the snowline. Skin the rest of the way up to Refugio Lopez. Experience amazing views of the Llao Llao peninsula as well as Lago Nahuel Huapi and the surrounding areas. Once at the refugio, skin up and ski the different bowls in the area. This is a long day. Plan on an early start and a late finish. Hike and ski approximately 4000 feet. Have a farewell steak at the Boliche de Alberto's steak house.

Day 10:
Bariloche --> Buenos Aires --> Home: Leaving from Bariloche Intl., fly through Buenos Aires on the way home. You can also fly through Santiago on the way back. We can help you with these arrangements.

Optional Extension:
Extend your trip for a week of skiing at Las Leñas. Let us know if that interests you.

Note:
We do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, however this itinerary is subject to change and we just might decide that the snow is better somewhere else. All itineraries can be customized.

Download the Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding Itinerary.

(may differ slightly from the one online.)

1. Trip Cost Inclusions and Exclusions. The cost of the backcountry skiing and snowboarding trip from Bariloche, Argentina to Bariloche, Argentina includes: accommodations, food (up to 15 meals), some equipment, transportation, and guides. The tour price does not include: airfare and travel expenses to and from Bariloche, Argentina; government tourist taxes; additional meals; alcoholic beverages with some dinner(s); optional activities; and individual costs not provided to the rest of the clients.

2. Trip Cost, Deposit & Cancellation. The full balance of the trip cost is due 60 days before the trip departure date. If this balance is not paid 60 days prior to departure, ATAC reserves the right to cancel the client’s reservation. If a reservation is made less than 60 days prior to departure, the full balance of the trip is due at that time. A client’s cancellation is effective on the date ATAC receives written notice of the cancellation. $200.00 of each deposit is nonrefundable, regardless of when cancellation notice is given. If cancellation notice is received over 120 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $300 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 90 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $200 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 60 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $100 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 30 days before departure, one-half of the trip cost will be refunded; and if received less than 30 days, there will be no refund. Note: ATAC recommends that all clients purchase traveler’s insurance and can help clients locate an agent. If a client is prevented from traveling due to serious illness, death in the immediate family or a similar catastrophe, at ATAC’s sole discretion, the client may transfer to another trip or locate another qualified individual to take client’s space subject to the replacement client executing the required documents.

3. ATAC reserves the right to cancel a trip up to 30 days prior to departure on the condition that 100% of the trip cost payment and deposit be returned to the client. ATAC may cancel a trip within 30 days of departure for reasons of force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the company's control. When a trip is canceled by ATAC, the client may choose between a full refund of all monies paid and any alternative trip with open reservation space offered by ATAC, subject to an adjustment for any difference in costs.
Please download and review the complete reservation packet from the DOWNLOAD INFO section in the left column to understand all terms and conditions before making a deposit.