Ski touring around Bariloche in 3 days

Ski tour around Bariloche, from the Cerro Catedral ski resort to the Frey Hut in a unique 3-day adventure led by Craig, a IFMGA mountain guide from the area.

Andes

3 Days

Jul - Sep

Low

Intermediate

Description

Heading out to the Frey hut, it is a must for all backcountry skiers looking for a real adventure.

The whole setting, the endless lines and the calm hut ambiance make it a unique wilderness experience very close to Bariloche and the Catedral ski resort.

If you like to get away from the crowds this is a great option. We will take only one ski lift at Cerro Catedral and then, we'll skin up with our cel phones turned off and simply connected to ourselves and nature.

We will decide which is the best route to the hut depending on snow and weather conditions. Anyway, we will enjoy some great skiing and skinning itineraries with amazing orange granite spires, chutes and many couloirs.

The Frey hut offers great facilities and delicious homemade food. They produce their own beer there. Furthermore, it is located in a perfect spot, with endless options according to the level of skiers and snow conditions.

This is my favorite skiing area since it is close to Bariloche and has many other outdoor activities options as well. In fact, the Frey Valley is a perfect summer destination for the practice of rock climbing. If you want to know more about it, let me recommend my 4-day rock climbing program there. I really enjoy sharing my passion for the place and sport with you!

I always suggest to spend at least 2 nights in the Frey Hut. That way you will have plenty of time to get a real feel of the place. At the bottom of this page you will find the day-by-day program.

I will be waiting for your contact. Get in touch with me by filling out the form! Let's discover the unique Patagonia landscape on skis.

Price includes

Guiding fee

Itinerary

Day 1: Cerro Catedral - Van Titter valley- Frey Hut

Meet up early, check gear and head up to the Catedral Ski resort. Take the chairlift up close to the ridge line, then a short skin and head out of the resort. Amazing views of all the lakes and peaks in the Nahuel Huapi National Park with Mount Tronador (3400 m) sticking out in the west. Ski down the Van Titter valley, great different alternatives depending on the snow conditions and then a short skin up to the Frey hut. A quick bite and drink, drop our sleeping gear and head out again for more great skiing. Back to the hut at late afternoon to enjoy the cozy ambience and company of world skiers.

Day 2: Skiing day

Early morning rise to enjoy a full day of exploring the different couloirs and bowls this incredible area has to offer. We will pack a lunch so as to make best use of the day, taking a break up on a ridge, taking a breath and surely observing some of the huge Andean Condors that often soar around this area. As the day progresses we shall adapt and search where the best snow is!! Time to rest, relax, a good beer or wine and great company.

Day 3: Frey Hut - Back to Catedral ski resort

With another early rise we should have time to explore and ski another line before making our way back to the ski resort.
It is possible to extend the stay up at the hut as there are plenty more untouched ski lines.

About the guide

Craig

5.0

(20)

Mountain Guide

UIAGM-IFMGA guide in Argentina

I grew up in Buenos Aires to Scottish parents. I was lucky to travel and camp all around this beautiful country hence developing a great passion for the outdoors.

So once I finished my degree in Physical Educacion and also had a Trekking Guide certification (1997), and after spending my summers as a climbing bum up at Frey, I decided Bariloche was the place I wanted to live in.

My passion has allowed me to pursue my dreams of climbing some big walls in Yosemite, the Bugaboos, some faces in the Alps and Dolomites and other closer to here in Brasil, Peru and Bolivia.

I spent a few season working down in Southern Patagonia, El Chalten at the Base of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Here I learned my skills in dealing with all the minor details of managing groups.

Later when Argentina proudly became part of the IFMGA/UAIGM, I took part in the first course/promotion and got certified as a Technical guide (2005).

I’ve been leading trips with NOLS and Outward Bound for the last decade almost and got to learn the soft skills for personal development which has made my expertise as a Guide a lot richer.

Now settled for sometime in Bariloche with a family (two beautiful daughters Sarah and Camila), I’ve decided to work more and more for myself and directly with potential clients and future friends.

Focusing mainly in tailor made programs specially developed for each individual interest. Backcountry skiing, Mountaineering, Rock cimbing, etc!!!

Looking forward to sharing some great times together!!!

Languages

English | Spanish | French

Certificates

AAGM | UIAGM | IFMGA

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What people are saying about this trip

Jessica

I used Explore-Share to connect with Craig, local IFMGA Mountain Guide from Bariloche, who took our group of 3 for an amazing day of Ski Touring around his home mountains. I met him the day before to check my equipment and go over what we’d be doing the following day. This was my first time going uphill with skis and Craig was super attentive teaching me all the basic techniques and safety procedures during the first part of the program. I felt safe and in control at all time, and the pace he chose was just right for me. We got to do a whopping 4 climbs and descents that day (with over 1000m of total vertical gain), exploring different sides of the mountain, and I have to say the skiing was just out of this world! We had the whole area to ourselves. I will definitely be hiring Craig again in the future for a climbing, mountaineering or skiing adventure in Patagonia and I would highly recommend him to anybody visiting this area. Thanks Craig!!

Nicolas

It was an excellent day of backcountry skiing that I spent with Craig. We took his pick-up and drove 30 minutes from Cerro Catedral in a park where there was no one. We made a nice climb through some forests and then we continued climbing with spectacular Patagonian views. It had been a long time since I had been ski touring so he reminded me of certain techniques and helped me improve my skills. When we got down we had a nice well-deserved picnic in the forest. I really recommend Craig to everyone who wants to spend a memorable mountain day!