Specs
Spots to visit
- Santiago
- Portillo
- Farellones
- Cajón del Maipo
Spots to ride
- Portillo Ski Resort
- Super C Megaline
- Cristo Redentor
- El Colorado
- Santa Tere
- La Parva
- Cerro Parva
- Arenas Valley
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Discover the beauty of Chile’s Andes mountains on a tour filled with adventure and stunning vistas. Immerse yourself in the culture and landscapes of this diverse region, from scenic steep skiing to cultural experiences. Book now for a once-in-a-lifetime journey in Chile’s Central Andes.
Resort Backcountry
Ski Touring
Challenging (3/5)
Strong Intermediate to experts
8 people
9 Days / 8 Nights
Spots to visit
Spots to ride
Click on each section below to get all the info.
Get ready for the ultimate backcountry skiing experience in the central Andes of Chile!
Join us on a 9-day journey through some of the most stunning mountain ranges in the world. From Portillo Ski Resort to the heart of Cajón del Maipo, we’ll be hitting the big mountain and exploring the extraordinary terrain.
Our knowledgeable guides will be with you every step of the way, helping us choose the best lines based on conditions and your abilities.
End each day with a little relaxation and some well-deserved apres-ski fun. Get ready to challenge yourself and make memories that will last a lifetime!
1. Portillo Ski Resort & Super C Couloir
Portillo Ski Resort is a world-renowned ski destination once home of the winter olympic games. It offers high-altitude skiing with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and high quality powder. The resort is known for its classic architecture and its commitment to providing a high-quality skiing experience.
Accommodations at Portillo are housed in the main hotel, the iconic yellow building that is the center of the resort. The hotel offers a variety of room options, ranging from standard rooms to suites, and all rooms feature comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel also has several dining options, a bar, and a heated pool, making it the perfect place to relax after a long day on the slopes.
The Super C ski line at Portillo Ski Resort is a popular advanced-level ski run that offers an exhilarating and challenging experience. The line is located on the backside of the resort and is known for its steep, sustained pitch and all kind of terrain features. The run is approximately 2,500 vertical feet in length and can be accessed touring-bootpacking only. The ski line is surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, offering skiers a unique and memorable experience.
2. Santa Tere & Tambo Freeride
The Santa Tere and Tambo sectors boast unbeatable terrain. Effortless access lines that require zero hiking, just pure enjoyment on slopes ranging from 30-40 degrees with varying levels of difficulty and plenty of fun features to play on.
This classic freeride sector of the capital can be accessed through El Colorado ski resort. After taking 3 lifts, we ski straight to the resort’s boundary to get ready for the 600-meter vertical descent.
At the end of the run, our private shuttle will be waiting for us to return to El Colorado and start the ascent again. Doing 4-5 runs will have you feeling like your legs can’t take any more.
Get ready for an unforgettable freeskiing experience!
3. La Parva & Cerro Parva
La Parva ski resort is a world-renowned ski destination located in the central Andes of Chile. The resort offers stunning views of glaciers over 5.000 meters and the city of Santiago in the background. It is known for its diverse terrain that caters to skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
In terms of backcountry skiing, La Parva has an incredible range of options. With a 3 hour ascent to the top of Cerro Parva, skiers can choose from steep open runs or challenging chutes.
Ascending Cerro Parva is a classic for the locals who hit the slopes for some seriously epic deep & steep powder action.
While the ascent may not be too technical, the altitude makes it a challenge worth taking. As you make your way up, the views just get better and better until you reach the top where you’ll be treated to a 360-degree panoramic view that’s simply unbeatable.
This mountain has something for everyone, with east and south facing runs ranging from strong intermediate to expert, making it perfect for you.
Overall, La Parva ski resort and its backcountry are a must-visit for any freeride skier or snowboarder looking for a challenging and unique adventure.
4. Cajón del Maipo Paradise
Backcountry in Cajón del Maipo is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Located just a short drive from Santiago, it offers skiers and snowboarders the chance to escape the crowds and ski in a remote, pristine mountain environment.
As you make your way higher, you will encounter varied terrain, including wide-open bowls, steep chutes, and rolling hills. The dry and light snow in Cajón del Maipo provides excellent conditions for powder skiing, and the lack of crowds makes for an intimate and serene experience.
This is the valley for the real big mountain skiers and riders.
Technical Level
This trip is rated as Advanced (3/4): recommended for skiers/riders with advanced backcountry skills, the ability to navigate the mountain with ease, proper equipment usage, handle any conditions and descend steep slopes.
Physical demand
This trip is rated as Challenging (3/5): recommended for athletes with good physical condition. Daily activity time may be up to 6 hours, distances covered may be up to 18 km, positive elevation may be up to 1000m, and you may reach an altitude of up to 4,500 meters above sea level.
Support
Accommodations
Meals
* Limited to CLP$25.000 pp (a big meal!)
Get ready for an exciting backcountry ski tour in the Andes Mountains of Chile!
Because our goal is to ski as much as possible, we will head straight to Portillo ski resort as soon as we arrive in our private transportation. If the arrival times of all group members allow it, we can ski a few laps to loosen up those stiff legs after so much travel.
Relaxation in the afternoon will be key, and what better way than in a jacuzzi overlooking Laguna del Inca and the incredible surroundings. We’ll enjoy all the hotel’s facilities, dine well, and go to rest to start our trip strong.
We’ll start the day with some ski resort skiing to get our bodies acclimated and take the pace of high altitude skiing with stunning views.
Portillo is surrounded by giant cliffs and most of its slopes drop directly into the famous turquoise waters Laguna del Inca with. We’ll end our ski day at the must-go aprés ski spot at Portillo.
Today is the day of some serious touring! We’ll be heading to the border with Argentina and after passing through the border checkpoint, we’ll park the shuttle (without crossing to Argentina) to start our ascent. Our destination is the famous Cristo Redentor, a landmark that marks the border and the former “Uspallata” border crossing, used by the Army of the Andes in 1817 to liberate Chile from Spanish rule.
Upon arrival at the top, the views will be breathtaking: immense mountain ranges with the massive Cerro Aconcagua (6,951m – 22,840ft) in the background. We’ll take a good break, have an energizing snack, and prepare for the descent. The line is generally in great shape, with moderate pitches that make it suitable for all levels. Just enjoy the ride!
After the adventure, we’ll head back to the shuttle and return to the hotel.
We’ll fuel up with a big breakfast before heading to the Super C backcountry line.
This line has over 1,300 vertical meters (4.265 vertical feet) and is a must-visit for any freerider. Slopes with up to 50* surrounded by rock walls make it an extreme and thrilling scene.
After the line, we’ll refuel on the hotel restaurant, ski some more groomers and head back to Santiago. We’ll stop for a traditional Chilean lunch and end the day at the Lodge on Farellones.
After breakfast, our shuttle will take us to the secoond resort of the trip: La Parva.
After a few turns on classic off-piste lines, we’ll put on our skins and start the ascent to Cerro Parva (4.047m / 13.277ft). Incredible landscapes with glaciers above 5,000 meters and the city behind us will be our companions during the 2-3 hour ascent to the summit. Depending on the conditions, we’ll decide on the lines, which can be steep opens and chutes.
After the line, we’ll return to the resort, ski some groomers and then head down to the Lodge.
Today we’ll experience a full day of freeriding in Santa Tere. This classic sector is the birthplace of the best national freeriders and a must-visit for international freeriders.
With endless options, Santa Tere will bring out the best ski level in us. This freeride sector has lift access through El Colorado ski resort and returns by private shuttle back to the ski resort after each run.
On average, the Santa Tere lines have about 550 meters of pure enjoyment. The number of runs depends on the group’s energy, but in general guests can handle 3-5 runs.
We’ll pack up after a nice lunch and head to our last stop: Cajón del Maipo paradise. Upon arrival to El Morado Lodge, we’ll have dinner and along with our guides review and decide on the options for the next day.
We’ll be heading out to the heart of the Cajón del Maipo to experience a full day of backcountry skiing. The stunning mountain ranges and endless ski lines will be our playground for the days remaining.
With enough energy left, we’ll hit the aprés ski in the Lodge for a little celebration and some well-deserved relaxation in the pools.
Now that we’ve got a handle on the level of the mountains we’re up against and the skills of our crew, let’s get fired up to check out what options we have in store for the big finale!
It’s our final day of skiing and we’ll be going out with a bang.
We’ll be touring one last time, challenging ourselves to ski some of the most breathtaking lines of the trip, getting close to them assisted by some sleds.
The Cajón del Maipo will be our backdrop as we explore the mountains and push our limits high in the Andes. After a long day of touring, we’ll gather for one final “asado” and share our experiences of the trip.
Today is a day of ultimate relaxation at the Lodge, with a sparkling pool waiting for us to dive into and soak up the serenity! Let’s make the most of this moment to unwind and recharge before we head back to reality.
As the sun rises higher in the sky, we’ll gather our bags and start to say our goodbyes. The late morning or early afternoon, depending on your flight schedule, will mark the end of this incredible journey.
But don’t worry, the memories and lessons learned on this trip will stay with us forever!
Disclaimer
Although we do everything possible to stick to the previous schedule, the itinerary and departure in general are subject to change for numerous reasons, mainly to seek out better snow conditions. In the Andes you will always find fresh powder, let’s go for it!
Here’s the gear list for your adventure. If you tend to get cold in wintery conditions, especially when you’re not moving around, bring extra layers. Dressing appropriately and having the right gear will help the guides provide a safer and more fun experience for the group. In the Andes, the weather can be harsh and change quickly and drastically.
Is anything missing from your gear list? We’ve got you covered with a pro rental with all the necessary equipment. DPS skis, BCA, and other top brands support Andes Touring. Hit us up!
Resort & BC trip gear list
Gear
Accessories
Base layers
Mid layer
Outer Layer
Personal first aid kit:
For additional activities
Also recommended
With insider knowledge of the mountain range, an unwavering commitment to safety, cultural insights, and the ability to customize your itinerary, our local guides provide the ultimate ski touring experience.
They will keep you smiling, comfortable, and constantly learning with every step.
We’ve spent over 15 years exploring, gathering local information, and analyzing data to become experts in delivering the ultimate backcountry experience in the Andes.
We live and breathe Touring.
Because we know that conditions in the Andes can be unpredictable, our itineraries are always open to finding the best snow available for our guests. Small changes in the itinerary can make a huge impact.
Let’s find those deep fresh tracks.
Member Since 2022
