El Chalten ski touring week, Patagonia Sur

Join IFMGA certified guide Indio for a week long ski touring adventure on the slopes and peaks of El Chalten in Argentinean Patagonia.

Private

Andes

7 Days

Jun - Oct

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Enjoy a full week of amazing ski touring around El Chalten.
Visit great areas like Cerro Madsen, Mosquito Creek Valley and more.
Enjoy the thrills of slopes with lengths reaching 1,500 meters.

Description

For an entire week, I would like to guide you to the best ski touring spots around El Chalten.

Located in southern Argentinean Patagonia, El Chalten is home to some of the best and most unexplored mountainous skiing areas in Argentina. And during this week long adventure, you will get to visit, admire and enjoy the best spots.

On day 1 at arrival at the town we check ski equipment, clothing and adapt the program according to the weather to have the best possible conditions in each place.

On day 2 we will begin early in the morning. We will drive towards the Mosquito valley stream, and ascend through the valley which offers us different orientations and inclinations which make it a favorable place to start the ski week. We will then drive back and spend the night in El Chalten.

On the next day, we will head out to the Creston valley, where we will spend 2 nights in the comfortable Creston Refuge. From there we have plenty of skiing options, including the glacier, north col, and the impontent Cerro Vespignani Both of these areas offer fantastic slopes and amazing views of Argentinean Patagonia.

On day 6, after sleeping in El Chalten, we will head towards Cerro Madsen, Paso Inferior, and Laguna de los 3 area, where we'll have amazing views of the Fitz Roy range, which is right above us. We will spend the night in Poincenot camp, and ski the following day in the area before heading back to El Chalten.

The above description 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. To join me on this week long adventure, just send a request.

If time is an issue, but you still want to enjoy some ski touring around El Chalten, I also offer a full day trip on the Cerro Creston.

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, group technical equipment, permits and access to private properties, meals (breakfast and dinner) and accommodation in camps and 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 1: Meeting in Chaltén

At arrival at the town we check ski equipment, clothing and adapt the program according to the weather to have the best possible conditions in each place.

Day 2: Skiing at Mosquito Valley

We will begin early in the morning. We will drive towards the Mosquito valley stream, and ascend through the valley which offers us different orientations and inclinations which make it a favorable place to start the ski week. We will then drive back and spend the night in El Chalten

Day 3 to 5: Creston Valley

On day 3 we will head out to the Creston valley, where we will spend 2 nights in the comfortable Creston Refuge. From there we have plenty of skiing options, including the glacier, north col, and the impontent Cerro Vespignani.

Day 6: Cerro Madsen - Laguna de los 3

After sleeping in El Chalten, we will head towards Cerro Madsen, Paso Inferior, and Laguna de los 3 area, where we'll have amazing views of the Fitz Roy range, which is right above us. We will spend the night in Poincenot camp.

Day 7: End of trip

After spending the night in Poincenot camp, we will ski in the area before heading back to El Chalten.

Details

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.

Meeting point

El Chalten

FAQs

Where will we meet?

We will meet in El Chalten on day 1. 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.

Where will we sleep?

We will sleep 4 days in El Chalten (days 1, 2, 5 and 7 of the itinerary, accommodation for these days is not included in the price. Upon request, we can help you coordinate/book this accommodation).

2 days in Refugio Creston (days 3 and 4).

1 day in Poincenot camp (day 6).

Keep in mind the itinerary might change depending on weather and snow conditions, so this might change as well.

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.

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 many skiers can go with 1 guide?

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

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 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.

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.

Which is the nearest airport to get to El Chalten?

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.

How is winter weather in El Chalten?

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

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