Ski touring in El Chalten (3 days): Valle del Mosquito, Cerro Creston, Cerro Vespignani

Join Indio, an IFMGA certified guide, for a 3 day ski touring expedition in El Chalten, in southern Argentinean Patagonia, that will take you to the Mosquito Valley and the Cerro Creston and Cerro Vespignani.

Private

Andes

3 Days

Jun - Oct

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Enjoy 3 days of fantastic ski touring in El Chalten, in south Patagonia.
Visit 3 different spots: Mosquito Valley, Cerro Creston and Cerro Vaspignani.
Stay at the unique Creston refuge, in the heart of the mountains.

Description

Full of fantastic skiing locations, El Chalten is a great place for anybody who loves amazing skiing to visit and enjoy.

For 3 days, I would like to guide you on an unforgettable ski touring adventure in southern Patagonia in Argentina. Each day of this trip will take you to an exciting, scenic and unique place. The three places you will visit during this trip include Mosquito Valley, Cerro Creston and the Cerro Vespignani.

Before the trip begins, we will meet in El Chalten to go over final details. We will also perform an equipment check to ensure you have everything you need.

On the first day of the trip, early in the morning, we will make our way to Creston refuge. Once settled there, we will skin up the valley towars the glacier, north col or the central summit and from there ski down to the refuge. The itinerary will depend on the skill level and snow conditions.

On the second day of the trip, we will venture to the Cerro Vespignani, where you can enjoy another great day of ski touring. To reach the peak’s summit, we will traverse a large glacier. Once we’re at the top, you will get to enjoy some amazing views of southern Patagonia. After that, you will get to enjoy an approximately 1,500 meter descent.

On day 3 we will head again to the glacier, but now to a different valley to ski thrilling slopes.

During the trip we will sleep in the comfortable Creston Refuge.

If you want to enjoy an encompassing ski touring adventure in El Chalten, in Argentina’s southern Patagonia, this is the trip for you. To experience it for yourself, just send a request.

I also offer a single day, ski touring clinic in El Chalten, which you can enjoy here.

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 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: Meeting in Chaltén

If you arrive one day early, we will meet in El Chalten the day before the trip starts to go over final details. We will also perform an equipment check to ensure you have everything you need.

Day 1: Creston valley

Day 2: Cerro Vespignani

Day 3: Last ski day and back to Chalten

On day 3 we will head again to the glacier, but now to a different valley to ski thrilling slopes, before heading back to El Chaltén.

Details

Accommodation

We will stay at Crestón 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.

Meeting point

El Chalten

FAQs

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.

Where will we sleep?

We will sleep in Refugio Creston. On day 3 we will head back to El Chalten (accomodattion on day 3 is not included)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 3-day trip, we can block 5 days so we make sure we can guarantee 3 full days of skiing.

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration

Hostería Danica Puerto Cisnes Chile

See rooms

Hosteria El Cisne Puerto Cisnes Chile

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Hosteria El Cisne Puerto Cisnes Chile

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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