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Backcountry Skiing in the Argentine Andes Tour

Backcountry Skiing in the Argentine andes Tour Highlights

Located in the southern region of South America, Patagonia is home to the famed Andes Mountains. Skiing in Patagonia. It sounds so exotic, so much more daring than “We’re off to Sun Valley or Park City”….

As for skiing and snowboarding in Patagonia, what makes this area such a great option? Well, the weather lends itself to pretty awesome snowfalls, and the dry climate creates some of the best powder snow too! The Andes are vast, beautiful, volcanic, and rugged!

Overview

Estancia Río Foyel is located in the middle of the Andean Patagonian Mountain Range, in a natural and fantastic setting two hours from the city of Bariloche. Estancia Rio Foyel is a totally private 50,000 acre area of Backcountry, Horse Backcountry, and a Heli-Skiing Lodge with all the right Argentine hospitality and flair!

The guided Backcountry or Horse Backcountry Ski Tours from Estancia Rio Foyel offer the option to use this magnificent lodge as a basecamp for day trips as well as your Heli-Ski base.

Or, use the lodge for departure and return trips to THE AUTHENTIC “PATAGONIAN HAUTE ROUTE” A hut system where we can travel from hut to hut enjoying the different valleys and views. The refuges are completely equipped for overnight stays, with full service that includes all meals and lunches. This allows us to move freely through the mountain, carrying nothing but our equipment!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore epic Patagonia
  • Bilingual, full time, UIAGM certified ski guides
  • 2 ski resorts in the heart of North Patagonia
  • Remote Argentina backcountry and horseback country adventures out of Estancia Rio Foyel
  • Immerse in the friendly mountain culture of south Argentina
  • Delicious locally-sourced dinners and the best red wine

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bariloche ( we will pick you up at the airport )

  • 1st night at Arelauquen Lodge, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, San Carlos de Bariloche

Day 2: Ski Cerro Catedral Alta Patagonia Resort and evening dinner in Bariloche

    • 2nd night at Arelauquen Lodge, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, San Carlos de Bariloche

Day 3: 4×4 Adventure to our backcountry lodge Estanza Rio Foyel followed by an afternoon of backcountry exploration with snowmobiles!

    • 3rd night at Estanza Rio Foyel

Day 4: “PATAGONIAN HAUTE ROUTE” Horseback backcountry ski tour! We let the horses take us up the mountain as far as they can go and then we skin on!

    • 4th night at Refugio Alto Foyel

Day 5: 2nd day of our PATAGONIAN HAUTE ROUTE Trek, ever climbing deeper deeper into the Andes! We are on our way to Refugio de las Lagunas!

    • 5th night at Refugio de las Lagunas

Day 6: Ski back to Estanza Rio Foyel. What we gained in altitude in the last 2 days we get to ski back though some exquisite Patagonia Valleys back to a point where we meet up with our gaucho and mount the horses for the trek back to the Estanza!

    • 6th night at Estancia Rio Foyel

Day 7: Heli Ski Option Day! Right in front of the Estanze the Heli will meet us in the morning and take us up to some of the most beautiful mountains in the Andes. Returning to the Estanza for a fabulous “Assado“ spectacular lunch and back out into the Patagonia peaks and Valleys for the afternoon! This is couloir paradise!

    • 7th night at Estancia Rio Foyel

Day 8: A repeat of day 7, 2nd day of Heli skiing! Today the heli takes us deeper into the Andes, way past and beyond the 50,000 private acres of mountain the Esancia Rio Foyel has to offer! From gentle to hard-core and all stops in-between, the region offers up a diversity of terrain seldom found anywhere else: tree skiing, bowls, steeps, chutes and Couloirs

    • 8th night at Estancia Rio Foyel and a farewell party with our Argentine Family we got to know so well over the last 8 days!

Day 9: Adios Patagonia! We miss you already! We drive you back to Bariloche Airport and a last goodbye till we meet again!

Only $8500
Please contact us for any additional information: outwestadventuretours@gmail.com
Please contact us for any additional information: outwestadventuretours@gmail.com

Travel Info

Backcountry Skiing in the Argentine Andes Tour

Dates: July 2021 – October 2021
July 2022 – October 2022

Destination: Argentina, South America

Duration: 9 Days

Grading: Moderate-Hard

Activity: Guided Backcountry Skiing

Starts in: Bariloche

End in: Bariloche

  • Airport pick up & drop off service in a private vehicle
  • Standard double accommodation in a 1st class hotel in Bariloche including breakfast
  • Double accommodations in the Private Lodge at Estanza Rio Foyel
  • Bunk style accommodations during the Patagonia Haute Route in the comfortable Refugios
  • All meals, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Alcohol and Argentinien wine!
  • Local Fully certified guides UIAGM-IFMGA English-speaking guides
  • Heli Skiing: ( min 4 people for 2 days Helli ) Price: $ 875 per person,per day

  • Travel insurance that covers emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation

  • Personal skiing/backcountry equipment.

  • Tips for staff and drivers.

  • Any other expenses that are not mentioned in the Price Included section.

Skiers:

  • Alpine Touring Skis (suggested waist width 95 to 110mm)
  • Alpine Touring binding
  • Climbing skins, pre-cut for your specific ski (Adhesive glue type)
  • Ski Poles Collapsible trekking poles (3 parts) Black Diamond highly recommended
  • Ski crampons (for the melt freeze cycle that happens if we are into a corn snow cycle)

Snowboarders:

  • Splitboard with climbing skins and split crampons (for the melt freeze cycle that happens if we are into a corn snow cycle)
  • Extra binding screws and straps are a good idea
  • Collapsible trekking poles (3 parts) Black Diamond highly recommended

When you are going on this adventure, make sure you are packing these essentials in your luggage:

  • Ski/Snowboard Boots (good idea to carry on plane)
  • 30-40 liter backpack with suitable external harness straps to carry your skis or board ( also used as carry on )
  • Duffel bag to ship all your other essentials
  • Hydration system or water bottle to fit in your backpack ( I prefer stainless steel water bottles) + Thermos style bottle for hot drinks.
  • Digital Avalanche Transceiver, Shovel and Probe (Rentals available)
  • Helmet and small headlamp
  • Pocket knife / Portable tool kit for loose binding parts and simple repairs

Clothing List

BASE LAYER:

  • Polypropylene or Merino wool long underwear and wool blend sock

WARM LAYER:

  • Light/Packable down jacket or vest

OUTER LAYER:

  • Warm hat (Beanie or Toque)
  • Sun hat for face and neck protection
  • Neck gaiter/ face mask
  • Wind/waterproof jacket with hood (Gore Tex is recommended)
  • Wind/waterproof pants (Gore Tex is recommended)
  • Ski gloves or mitts (Da Kine)
  • Thin windblocker type glove for hiking and touring
  • Sunglasses and goggles. Goggles with interchangeable lens is highly recommended. One lens for sun & another for flat light/storm conditions
  • Sun block (AT LEAST 35 SPF) and lip balm

Personal first aid kit to include at least the following:

  • Ibuprofen or similar for headaches, aches, etc
  • Antacids
  • Moleskin (for blisters) and band-aids
  • Imodium
  • Prescription medicine
  • Personal items for women
  • Large plastic garbage bag for wet clothes
  • Ear plugs
  • Small roll toilet paper

Plus…

  • Camera
  • Airline tickets
  • Passport/visa
  • Credit card, ATM card, and credit card cancellation phone number
  • Starting cash in U.S. dollars
  • All weather shoe/boot you don’t mind getting dirty for non-ski activities
  • (expect rain, snow, mud, dirt)
  • Sandals, slippers or Crocks for after ski footwear
  • Converter and plug adapters
  • Energy bars
  • Sleeping bag 600 grs down or equivalent ( small and compressible)

When joining a guided Patagonia Backcountry ski trip, we recommend that you have holiday insurance for ski travel that covers:

  • personal accident
  • medical expenses
  • and air ambulance (emergency evacuation )
  • you need to make sure your insurance covers off-piste and/or backcountry skiing and snowboarding in the country you will be visiting.
  • We recommend adding on insurance that covers lost baggage, trip delay, trip cancellation and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience.

What about cancel-for-any-reason insurance?

Not required, but for peace of mind, many travelers are booking “cancel for any reason” trip insurance. Not a good snow year? Coronavirus (COVID-19) anxiety? Last minute work issues? Just not up for the trip last minute? You can cancel for any reason and get most of your trip investment back. Travel Guard Insurance, listed below offers this option.

Companies Offering Snowboard & Ski Travel Insurance

The following insurance companies offer holiday and travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding. Before purchasing, please review the fine print of the plan you are considering for what is covered, especially internationally.

Travel Guard (AIG) Click here to get started, or call 1-800-826-4919

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