Patagonia Backcountry Skiing: Hut-to-Hut in Bariloche

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, IFMGA Full Mountain Guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 4-day or 5-day backcountry skiing tour in Patagonia
  • Accommodation in mountain huts with full board (3 or 4 nights depending on the option)
  • Accommodation in lodges or private apartments in towns or cities (if arranged on the 4-day option)
  • Ticket to access the mountain via Cathedral Ski Resort on Day 1 of the 5-day option
  • Any ski resort tickets needed on the 4-day option
  • 4×4 access to private locations and access permits if needed on the 4-day option
  • Transfer to and from the trailhead to your accommodation (excluding locations in Chile)

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Backcountry safety gear
  • Accommodation prior to and after the trip
  • Airport transfers
  • Transportation to Patagonia
  • Sleeping bag
  • Meals in lodges or private apartments in towns or cities (if arranged on the 4-day option)
  • Guide gratuities — optional
  • Travel and medical insurance — optional

Backcountry skiing in Patagonia requires excellent physical shape. To enjoy the 5-day hut-to-hut option, you have to be capable of skinning up 800 m (2,620 ft) to 1,200 m (3,940 ft) per day and moving around 10 km (6 miles) on longest days. You’ll spend 6-8 hours a day in the field.

The 4-day open schedule Patagonia backcountry skiing tour is suitable for multiple backcountry skiing levels, from backcountry beginners to experienced all-terrain skiers!

Regarding steepness and elevation gains, there’s a wide range of options from mild open faces to steep committing couloirs, so each day can be adapted to group’s skills, physical abilities, and goals. Still, keep in mind that skiing in the backcountry demands an advanced technical level of skiing/snowboarding downhill, and you need to be capable of traveling downhill in all conditions—deep or hard snow. If the group is hungry for more, and if snow conditions allow, days can be even longer!

To participate in the 5-day hut-to-hut tour, previous backcountry skiing experience is mandatory. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for 6-8 hours a day, traversing around 10 km (6 miles) on longest days with 800 m (2,620 ft) to 1,200 m (3,940 ft) of elevation gain.

If you don’t have that much experience or are new to backcountry, consider the 4-day open schedule option. Your expert IFMGA guide will adapt the itinerary to match your skills and ambition while keeping you safe with their experience and avalanche training. While you’ll need strong skiing abilities and fitness, this trip can accommodate experienced all-terrain skiers and backcountry beginners alike. If you’re after a gentler introduction to backcountry, joining a guide for a day of intro to backcountry skiing might be a good idea. Not sure which option fits? Contact us and let’s plan the perfect trip together.

A full and detailed list will be provided once you’ve booked the trip. This is a general overview of what you will need. Please note that backcountry ski gear is scarce in the area, so it’s highly recommended you bring your own equipment.

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

• Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins
• Touring boots and poles
• Bindings and binding crampons
• Avalanche safety gear (probe, beacon, shovel)

For personal items, appropriate mountain clothing and personal necessities are recommended, including but not limited to the following list:

• Ski backpack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
• Sunglasses or ski goggles
• Gloves and hat
• Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
• Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
• Down jacket or vest
• Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
• One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
• Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
• Water bottle or bladder
• -10° compactable sleeping bag
• Snacks
• Helmet
• First aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
• Camera — optional

The huts you’ll be staying at are nestled deeply in the Patagonian wilderness, so don’t expect luxury accommodations. Still, the huts are cozy and warm, offering a bed or a mattress in a shared room, a dining room, and a kitchen. The cook makes meals for the guests and they make sure the fire keeps burning. Toilets are in separate buildings and showers are not available during winter months. Generally, the mountain huts you’ll be staying at have electricity, but that might not always be the case.

Backcountry skiing gear is difficult to get in Bariloche, and you will not have many options to choose from. It’s recommended that you bring your own gear. If you don’t have it, let us know in good time to see if the guide is able to rent some gear for you in Patagonia.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For the 5-day hut-to-hut backcountry skiing tour in Patagonia, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  • The price of the 5-day option is based on a two-person minimum. If you’re joining solo, it’s mandatory that you add a single supplement to your booking.
  • For the 4-day open schedule backcountry skiing tour in Patagonia, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1, and the maximum number of people is set at 6 participants.
  • The price of the 4-day option is based on a two-person minimum. If you’d like to join solo, contact us for more information.

Backcountry skiing in Patagonia can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Catedral Ski Resort, the starting point of your backcountry skiing tour in Bariloche, most people fly into San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC). Once you get there, it’s best to rent a car—it will take you around 45 minutes to get to Catedral Ski Resort, your meeting point for the 5-day tour.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary for the 4-day tour, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!