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- 2023 Dates:
- August Custom; Bariloche-Frey and Lopez
- August Custom; Andean(Maipo) Couloirs and Portillo Offpiste Adventures
- August 12-20 Classic Volcanoes(Villarrica, Osorno, Lonquimay, Llaima….)
- Duration: 8-14 Days
- Level: Advanced
- Client Ratio: 5:1
- Cost:
- 8 Days – $3,150 (Min 2 People)
- 13 Days – $5,695
- Included: Ground transportation, airport transfers, all meals while on the mountain, tents, stoves, cook kits, group climbing equipment, guide services, accommodations and breakfast
- Not Included: Airfare, gratuities for guides, hot springs fees, Lift Tickets, Ski touring gear, extra drinks, meals in cities, personal insurance and Individual transfers.
- 2023 Dates:
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Climb and ski four Andean volcanoes over the course of one trip, options include: Lonquimay, Llaima, Villarrica, Lanin, Mocho and Osorno.
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Build your ski mountaineering experience with instruction and practice on fun and challenging terrain.
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Travel and experience the beautiful landscapes and culture of Southern Chile and Northern Patagonia.
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Some afternoons we visit and soak in the spectacular and relaxing volcanic mineral hot springs
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Fantastic dinners and red wine as well as trekking, horseback riding, spas, etc. if we encounter poor weather days
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The second region we go to ride; the Three Valleys and One Canyon of the Santiago region, home to big open runs from world class ski areas. From Santiago, we drive to Valle Nevado to acclimatize and tour up Volcan Plomo before we travel to Canyon Maipo to hike and ride these fantastic, long couloirs.
We explore the slopes of the southern Chilean volcanoes by ski touring. We start in Pucon, or “Entrance to the Mountain” is that and more. This tourist based mountain town borders 2 national parks, a national reserve, and sits on the black sand beach of Lake Villarrica. Our focus for the remainder of the trip is to ski the 3-4 nearby volcanoes with a flexible itinerary based around weather and snow conditions. We have options to ski Volcano Lanin (12,293 ft.), Volcano Villarrica (9,317 ft.), Volcano Llaima (10,252 ft.), and Volcano Quetrupillan (7,743 ft). Each of them has a very different shape. It will therefore make for unique descents. Moreover, the landscapes and views of the region are stunning. We finish the day with a soak in the nearby thermal hot springs along side the cold waters of the Liucura River. In this amazing trip you will discover the Araucania-the Monkey Puzzle Trees, rivers and lakes district of Chile. The idea is to discover the region by skiing down the volcanos, eating good food and resting in beautiful places every day.
CHILE VOLCANOES 8 & 13 DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Depart from the U.S expect a 22-27 hour flight
Day 2: Temuco
Arrive mid morning in Temuco, we are picked up at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Pucon along the shore of Lake Villarrica. Check in to our rooms and explore the city or to relax. We will meet in the evening for introductions and a brief orientation.
Overnight: Pucon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Dinner
Day 3: Villarrica Ski & Tour
We get an early start with a little help from an excellent breakfast. Based in a large Araucaria (Monkey Puzzle Tree) Forest, Corralco Ski Resort at the base of Volcano Lonquimay offers us easy access to begin our day, getting our legs going with some warm up runs off the ski lifts and some short touring on the southern face of Volcano Villarrica. The evening we have options to soaking our legs in the nearby hot springs followed by a well deserved homemade dinner, Southern Chile style.
Overnight: Pucon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4: Villarrica Summit Day-9341 ft / 2847m
We drive up to and start climbing from Ski Pucon Resort. We are warmed up from our previous tours and skin half to two-thirds of the way to the summit before transitioning to boot crampons. We gain 5,000’ vertical feet to the summit of Villarrica over 5 hours. In good conditions, the descent back to the parking lot takes 25 minutes! (B) We can hit the Hot Springs again or try to ski to the most famous Termas, Geometricas and pay to arrange a pick on the other side of the mountain, Chilean style! If conditions permit we go to Llaima to get high or get laps on Lonquimay.
Overnight: Malalcahuello
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Boxed-lunch
Day 5: Corralco Ski & Lonquimay Summit Day- 9,400 ft/2,865m
We drive up early morning start to our ski tour on the Lonquimay volcano with a mid-morning chair ride. Weather permitting, a rewarding climb to the volcanic crater takes approximately 1-2 hours. At the top the view is truly stunning. You can see 7 nearby volcanoes, and a distant view into neighboring Argentina. The descent off the top offers a constant pitch of 35-40 degrees which we can do 2 or 3 times!
The evenings we have options to soaking our legs in the nearby hot springs followed by a well deserved homemade dinner, Southern Chile style. Next up: Volcan Llaima.
Overnight: Las Araucarias
Accommodation: Hotel/Rufigio
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6: Llaima Summit Day -10,253 ft /3,125mWe use an early start for our climb on Llaima. Looking up at this mountain from the base, the summit looks close, but it’s an optical illusion. It doesn’t seem to get any closer but the reward is a long descent with views for miles.
Overnight: Las Araucarias or back to Pucon.
Accommodation: Hotel/Refugio
Meal: Breakfast
Day 7-11: Mocho, Puyehue, Chillan and Osorno.
We follow the weather to make the most out of road time. Head North to Chillan for big days on the big peaks of Nevado de Chillan or head South to trek in on horseback to Puyehue and ski into the massive crater from the movie, All.I.Can. Next choose a trip far south to Osorno to rip fast turns off the region’s iconic summit looming over the Lakes District.
Day 11: EXTRA WEATHER DAY
Overnight: Pucon or Osorno
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Day 12: Transfer back to Temuco for flight home
Overnight:
Accommodation:
Meal: Breakfast
Day 13: Depart back to US
BARILOCHE 9 DAY ITINERARY
Objective
Ride the best backcountry terrain at one of South America’s oldest and largest ski areas, El Catedral and the Frey Valley. Our travel schedule will remain fully flexible to allow us to make the very most of snow and weather conditions.
What to expect
Travel down the Andes takes up to 2 days so we try to maximize the next 5+ days of skiing with a balance of lift access and hut based ski tours.
Starting in the city of Bariloche, we ride the lifts at El Catedral and move onto the amazing terrain of the Refugio Frey and Cerro Lopez as we our touring legs under us. In a typical day, we will gain around 2,500-4,000′ of ascent – which means we also get to enjoy a lot of riding! The snow conditions are variable, however it’s usually spring snow or fresh powder on a firm base. On occasion, strong winds can affect the snow, making it a more challenging ski descent.
If the weather is poor we can always be flexible with the schedule to so you can get the most out of your visit.
Day 1: Depart from the U.S expect a 22-27 hour flight
Day 2: Bariloche
Arrive late afternoon in Bariloche, we are picked up at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Check in to our the rooms and explore the city or to relax. We will meet in the evening for introductions and a brief orientation.
Overnight: Bariloche
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal:
Day 3: Bariloche-El Catedral Ski & Tour
We get an early start with a little help from an excellent breakfast. We ride the chairs in the morning to warm up and after lunch explore the bowls around the boundary.
Overnight: Bariloche
Accommodation: Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4:
Bariloche-Refugio Frey Ski tour
Early morning start to our ski tour weather permitting through the Van Titter Valley from the El Catedral Ski Area. The descent into the Van Titter offers numerous classic descents up to 1500′ of open bowls to tight couloirs. We skin up to the Refugio Frey and settle in for the next 3 evenings where we enjoy the amazing world class hospitality and terrain of followed by a well deserved homemade dinner, Southern Chile style.
Overnight: Refugio Frey
Accommodation: Refugio
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5: Refugio Frey Select from many great tours choosing the best conditions we go to the following:
- Torre Principal Bowl
- Lago Schmoll Bowl
- Frey Couloirs/Chuting Gallery
- Van Titter/Schmoll Tour
Overnight: Refugio Frey Accommodation: Refugio Meal: Breakfast
Day 6:Refugio Frey Optional extra night if conditions are good or return to Bariloche and tour Cerro Lopez the following day.
Overnight: Refugio Frey or Bariloche Accommodation: Refugio Meal: Breakfast
Day 7: Back to Bariloche or Cerro Lopez
Enjoy a tour back to town or explore a locals favorite up to Cerro Lopez and experience Dulfer, the legendary #alpinekitty!
Overnight: Bariloche Accommodation: Hotel Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8-9: Return to the US
Take in Bariloche one last time and catch a afternoon flight home arriving mid-morning on Sunday in time to reflect and work on your humblebrag at work the next day!
3 VALLEY & 1 CANYON 9 DAY ITINERARY
Objective
Ski the high peaks and amazing ski areas that surround Santiago. Ski the famous Tres Valles, mixing offpiste and lift served riding in the expansive alpine playground! If touring is the goal, ski the areas to acclimatize then head to the legendary couloirs of Canyon de Maipo and boot up 2,000-4,000′ lines that make this place one of the world’s great touring destinations!
Day 1: Depart from the U.S expect a 22-27 hour flight
Day 2: Santiago
Day 3: Transfer to Tres Valles-1/2 Day ski
Day 4: Offpiste
Day 5: Offpiste or Maipo
Day 6: Offpiste or Maipo
Day 7: Offpiste or Maipo
Day 8-9:Depart back home
MULTI-DAY ALPINE TOURING EQUIPMENT LIST
Our recommended clothing system has four layers.
- Base layer: manages moisture and wicks perspiration away from your skin.
- Softshell: should be a durable, comfortable, insulating and wind/water resistant layer that breathes well.
- Hard shell: windproof, waterproof and breathable. (e.g. Gore-Tex, or similar)
- Insulating layer: should be down-fill or synthetic-fill and fit over all layers. (e.g. down, primaloft or polarguard)
These four layers are usually sufficient for most people, but if you tend to be colder bring one extra medium-layer that would be ideal for extra warmth around camp, such as a vest. When deciding what to pack, remember to bring enough clothes and accessories to ensure your safety and comfort, while not over-burdening yourself with items you probably won’t use.
Climbing/Ski Gear
- Skis or snowboard. Skis should be equipped with alpine touring bindings or telemark bindings. We prefer split decision Snowboards w/ skins because you do not need snow shoes.
- Adjustable Ski Poles
- Alpine touring, telemark, snowboard boots crampon compatible
- Skins
- Ski Crampons Required for all ski mountaineering trips
- Alpine climbing harness* Must have adjustable leg loops and fit over all clothing
- 2 Locking carabiners Large, pear-shaped carabiner is best.
- 2 Regular carabiners lightweight
- Ice axe Lightweight
- Crampons with anti-ball plate * Must be fit to boots prior to trip,
- Climbing/ski helmet * Adjustable, should fit with hat on
- Glacier Travel/Crevasse Rescue Microtraxion & Tibloc
Upper Body
- 1 polypropylene T-shirt
- 1 long sleeve polypropylene shirt Lightweight, light colored for sunny days
- Soft Shell
- 1 Down/synthetic sweater or vest
- 1 Hard shell jacket with hood Waterproof and breathable. Gore-Tex or equivalent is best, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers.
- 1 pair lightweight gloves
- 1 pair warm gloves
- Shell gloves or mitts Gore-Tex, with textured rubber palms and taped seams. Nylon shells will not keep your hands dry
- Warm hat Wool or synthetic
- Balaclava/Buff
- Shade hat or Visor
Lower Body
- 2 pair med-heavy wool/synthetic socks Check boot fit with liner and wool socks on
- 1 pair lightweight long underwear Polypropylene or Capilene
- 1-2 pairs of synthetic boxers/briefs
- Soft shell pants
- Shell pants Waterproof/breathable with full side zips
Sleeping Gear
- Sleeping bag Rated to at least 20º F. Line the stuff sack w/ plastic bag.
- Sleeping pad 1 closed cell foam and/or ¾ length Therma-Rest for extra warmth and comfort.
Backpack
- Internal frame pack 3500-4500 cubic inch capacity able to carry snowboard/skis
In Town clothing for travel and evening
- Comfortable clothes for travel, walking around town and hot springs
Miscellaneous Equipment
- Googles and Glacier glasses 100% UV and wrap around protection
- Personal first aid repair kit Basics: moleskin/blister kit, Band-Aids, first-aid tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, spare parts for bindings and batteries etc.
- Lip balm At least SPF 20
- Sunscreen At least SPF 40
- Headlamp lightweight LED
- 2 water bottles 1 liter wide-mouth Nalgene and 1 bottle holster, or
- Hydration bladder With drinking tube and 1 Nalgene bottle
- Bowl and spoon Plastic, small Tupperware works well. Lexan spoons are best.
- Water purification Iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals.
- Toiletry kit Be sure to include WAG Bag or toilet paper stored in a plastic bag.
- Bandana
- Hand wipes
- 1 small stainless steel thermos (Optional)
- Favorite snack foods (no more than 2 pounds)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WILL MY GUIDE (OR GUIDES) BE?
We are a small company who enjoy working together in the mountains as well as highly skilled professionals who hold current Wilderness First Responder certification and are proficient in technical rescue and evacuation skills. Our guides are dedicated to the world of alpinism, many having first ascents and hold professional certifications with the AMGA in the rock, alpine, and ski disciplines. The AMGA is part of the IFMGA, which is the international body of certified mountain guides.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDES?
Tipping is considered standard practice in the guiding industry. Tipping amounts vary, often 10% of the course cost is a good rule-of-thumb, so $20-30 per day per person/per guide is an average that works well for the guides without a serious blow to your wallet. If you feel that the program was exceptional or substandard the tip can reflect that.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT FROM BCAG?
No, we recommend renting from Ascent Outdoors where they have a full selection of rentals.
HOW HEAVY WILL MY PACK BE?
You will be required to carry a portion of the group gear and food in addition to your personal gear. This should be taken into consideration when deciding what you will bring. A good rule of thumb is to try to keep your pack weight below 40 pounds, which will allow for extra items to be carried of the group equipment.
WHEN DO I NEED TO PAY THE BALANCE OF MY TRIP?
For Scheduled International Courses and Climbs: Your balance is due 60 days from trip departure. Payable by credit card, check, Venmo or Paypal.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
If you decide to cancel your trip, BCAG must be notified in writing. Your trip will be canceled from the date we receive written notice. You will be assessed a cancellation fee according to the following schedule:
90 to 31 days from trip departure – 50% of trip cost
30 days or less – 100% of trip cost
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO CHANGE THE DATES OF MY TRIP?
Schedule changes are subject to a $100 fee per person up to 2 weeks out and $150 less than 14 days from the start of the trip and may not be possible. If conditions or circumstances preclude running a scheduled program we reserve the right to make the decision as to whether the program will be canceled, rescheduled, or an alternative provided.
WHAT HAPPENS IF BC ADVENTURE GUIDES HAS TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
In the rare circumstance where we need to cancel a program you can reschedule without a fee or receive a refund on your deposit. If circumstances arise that force us to cancel a program that is already in progress we reserve the right to decide whether a refund or credit, at a prorated rate, will be issued. We are not responsible for cancellation fees or costs arising from your changed or cancelled flights, lodging, or other arrangements. We strongly recommend obtaining trip cancellation insurance from your travel agent.
DO I NEED TO PURCHASE TRIP INSURANCE?
BCAG highly encourages the purchasing of trip cancellation and travel insurance on domestic trips and requires it on international trips. Europeans and Canadians use it because travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delays, medical expenses and emergency assistance. To avoid any financial hardship that an unexpected cancellation or interruption could cause,
Trip Cancellation/Interruption costs about 5% of your trip cost and it’s worth the peace of mind!
If you find that you are not already covered for any of the above circumstances you have options!
BCAG has an account with Global Rescue, the world’s leading membership organization providing integrated medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services to our travelers worldwide. They can provide you with medical and evacuation coverage.
https://partner.globalrescue.com/bcadventureguides/index.html
WHEN SHOULD I PLAN TO LEAVE A RETURN HOME?
We often get this question because most people need to know how much total time they need to take off work. Our Ski Trip itinerary specifies the day that we finish our services in the mountains so you can book your flight home. Last day of skiing will require a 2-3 hour drive back to town so plan on flying the next day.
WHAT IF I WANT TO ARRIVE EARLIER OR DEPART LATER THAN THE TRIP DATES?
No problem. There is a lot to see and do in Argentina and Chile so we would be happy to recommend our favorite attractions, restaurants, and day trips.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY IN ARGENTINA/CHILE?
We can give some recommendations once you discuss where you want to go..
WHERE CAN I GET HELP BOOKING MY AIRLINE AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS?
Please try contacting Pirjo Dehart at CTT Destinations: (425) 831 0367, she is well versed in alpine skiing and climbing destination travel and will help you find a good flight.
