Refugio Creston, 2-day Ski touring in El Chalten (Patagonia Sur)

Come and enjoy 2 days of fantastic ski touring on the beautiful valley of Cerro Creston in El Chalten, in southern Argentinean Patagonia with IFMGA certified guide Indio.

Private

Andes

2 Days

Jun - Oct

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Enjoy 2 days of great ski touring on the surrooundings of Creston Refuge near El Chalten.
Ski on amazing slopes that range in difficulty.
Marvel at the magnificent views of southern Argentinean Patagonia.

Description

Another of the many wonderful peaks that are ideal for ski touring near El Chalten, the Cerro Creston offers some fantastic slopes, as well as majestic views of Argentinean Patagonia.

During this 2-day trip, you will get to choose from a number of different, and exciting, ski touring routes on the valley. There are 20 degree slopes for less experienced skiers, as well as 50 degree slopes for more experienced skiers. Moreover, on the southern face of Cerro Creston there is a small glacier, which you can also ski on.

The day before the trip, we will meet in El Chalten to discuss last minutes details and perform an equipment check.

On the following day, our trip will begin early in the morning. We will drive for approximately 1 hour from El Chalten to the Lago del Desierto. Once there, we will walk for 40 minutes to reach the Creston refuge. We will settle there, drink something hot, and get on the skies towards the glacier. The options include Coll Central, Coll norte or Cumbre Central. We will pick the best itinerary for you, based on the snow conditions, weather condition, your skill level and personal preferences.

After enjoying some amazing runs down, we will get to the comfortable Creston Refuge to spend the night.

On Day 2 we can access the valley of Cerro Vespignani, an imponent Patagonic colossus. From the refuge we will head to the north col, then ski down to the Huemul glacier, and from there go up to Vespignani. We will ski down to the refuge towards the Huemul lagoon, until the refuge, and from there we will hike down and go back to El Chaltén.

Like many of the peaks around El Chalten, Cerro Creston offers great skiing and amazing views of Patagonia. Spending 2 days on its valley will be an experience you will never forget. To enjoy it for yourself, just send me a request.

Is a single day of ski touring in Argentinean Patagonia not enough for you? Then join me on this week long ski touring adventure in El Chalten, and visit a number of amazing spots

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Permit and entrance fees

Price details

In addition to the guiding fee, the price also includes satellite communication, GPS, group technical equipment, permits and access to private properties, meals (breakfast and dinner) and accommodation in Creston Refuge.
The price does not include skiing equipment and safety equipment, including ARVA, shovel, probe and helmet, accommodation and meals in Chalten, drinks in the refuge, and lunch and snacks on activity days.

Itinerary

Day 0: Pre-trip meeting in Chalten

The day before the trip, we will meet in El Chalten to discuss last minutes details and perform an equipment check.

Day 1: Creston valley

Our trip will begin early in the morning. We will drive for approximately 1 hour from El Chalten to the Lago del Desierto. Once there, we will walk for 40 minutes to reach the Creston refuge. We will settle there, drink something hot, and get on the skies towards the glacier. The options include Coll Central, Coll norte or Cumbre Central. We will pick the best itinerary for you, based on the snow conditions, weather condition, your skill level and personal preferences. After enjoying some amazing runs down, we will get to the comfortable Creston Refuge to spend the night.

Day 2: Cerro Vespignani

Details

Accommodation

We will stay at Creston refuge

More info

Keep in mind that the itinerary described is not a definitive itinerary. The schedule during this trip is flexible and can change based on weather and snow conditions. However, I will see to it that regardless of any potential changes, you will still have an amazing ski touring experience around El Chalten. If your itinerary allows it, for this 2-day trip, we can block 4 days so we make sure we can guarantee 2 full days of skiing.

Meeting point

El Chalten

FAQs

How can I get to El Chalten?

You will need to fly to El Calafate, and there are daily buses that go from Calafate airport to El Chalten. You can also take a taxi or rent a car. This transportation is not included in the price, but we can help you organize it.

What previous experience and skill level do I need to go on this trip?

To come on this trip your fitness level should be good, and you need to be able to ski down red pistes on resorts.

Where will we sleep?

We will sleep in Refugio Creston.

In what kind of terrain and snow will we ski?

The terrain will depend on the itinerary we decide for the trip and for each day, depending on your skill level and the snow and weather conditions. But you there are options to ski in glacier terrain and on slopes from 20° to 50°. We will always try to go for the best snow conditions. From the beginning to mid-winter we usually have powder, and then we have classic spring snow, although this might be affected by wind conditions.

How many skiers can go with 1 guide?

1 guide can take up to 4 skiers. If the group is larger, another guide will join.

When and where will we meet?

We will meet in El Chalten the day before we start the trip, to check equipment and finalize details for the trip.

What equipment do I need to bring?

You have to bring your skis and boots, and safety kit (ARVA, shovel, probe and helmet). You can rent equipment in El Chalten (complete ski and safety equipment) for around 60usd per day.

Is it possible to rent equipment in El Chalten, El Calafate or from the guide?

Yes, you can rent equipment in El Chalten (complete ski and safety equipment) for around 60usd per day.

I'm a solo traveler, can I join a group?

We don't organize fixed group trips, but let me know when you are planning to come, and we'll see if there are other skiers with a similar ski level with whom you can join.

How is winter weather in Chaltén? What happens if we have bad weather?

Although weather in south Patagonia has a very bad reputation, actually in winter the weather here is much more stable than in summer, and we usually have no wind! For this 2-day trip, we can block 4 days so we make sure we can guarantee 2 full days of skiing.

Which is the closest airport?

The closest airport is El Calafate, and it is very easy to get from the airport to Chalten. There are daily buses and private transfers as well. This transportation is not included in the price, but we can help you organize it.

About the guide

Indio

4.9

(21)

Mountain Guide

I am an IFMGA and a High Mountain AAGM certified Mountain Guide. I was born in San Juan, where I found my passion for the mountains when I was a child. Today my home is El Chalten, this magical place where I have my family and where I work and live since 2008.

I have climbed many different peaks along the Andes, as well as in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France, Spain, Germany Italy, Austria and Switzerland. I have climbed great mountains and new routes in Patagonia, both in Cerro Torre and in the Fitz Roy mountains. I climbed Mount Fitz Roy five times and Mount Torre three times. All of them through different routes and some of them opening a new one.

One of my biggest achievements was the Standhardt - Herron - Egger traverse and the "Directa Huarpe" new route, on the west face of Cerro Torre. As well as climbing the Tehuelche route on the Fitz Roy hill in 16 hours.

I also guide in the Central Andes, in places such as Cerro Mercedario and Vallecitos in Mendoza, among other mountains. I am also a Mountaineering and Climbing instructor in different associations and member of the relief committee at the Club Andino Mercedario of the San Juan Province. I am also a member of the technical committee of the Argentine Association of Mountain Guides, in which I am part of the staff of instructors for IFMGA guides.

I guide my clients mainly in Patagonia. I spend summer in the town of El Chalten and I move to Bariloche, in northern Patagonia, in the winter, where I guide more technical excursions, like ice and/or rock climbing, as well as classic mountaineering ascents. During the year I also guide in the mountains of Peru, Bolivia and in Europe.

Even when I’m not working I enjoy climbing, bouldering, sport skiing and mountaineering. Keeping at my highest level of performance helps me ensure my clients’ safety, that is always my top priority.

Languages

English

Certificates

AAGM | IVBV | UIAGM | IFMGA

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What people are saying about Indio

Fabio

Diogo

Due to bad weather, we had to move the day of the climb, and instead of Indio, Pipa took me to the walls across the river in the Paredon de Los Condores. We had a great day of climbing; Pipa was super chilled and knowledgeable, sharing a lot of helpful tips and guiding me up the wall. We started with easy climbs and kept progressing until maxing it out. I had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to doing other climbs with Pipa whenever I get a chance to visit Chalten again. Highly recommend.

Sunny

Had a great time!

Charles

(Not Indio) Juan was a very kind and knowledgeable guide. He knew exactly where to take us for warmups and hard climbing routes. His professionalism and attention to detail was clear on the multi pitch route we did - we felt safe and in control the entire time. Juan was also fun and we ended up with tons of local recommendations for things to do for the remainder of our trip. Thank you Patagonia Ascents. Communication was good, attention to detail was great.

Lawrence