Las leñas - san martin de los andes - pucón - nevados de chillan
Ski virgin and wild itineraries between Argentina and Chile
This itinerant circuit of 2500 kilometers takes us from the Argentinean province of Mendoza to the region of Neuquen further south, taking the famous “routa 40”. There, at the gates of Patagonia, we cross the cordillera from east to west to enter Chile. Through a totally different landscape, our route now heads north to cross the Great Lakes region, Araucania and the Bio-bio province to finally reach Santiago de Chile.
Four stages allow you to enjoy extraordinary landscapes and powder snow easily accessible thanks to the lifts of small ski resorts. From the top of the chairlifts and thanks to the sealskins, the ascent of 2 active volcanoes and their ski descents from their summits will undoubtedly mark your skier’s life forever.
In the evenings, local hotels and restaurants delight us with simple and tasty cuisine. A good local wine generally accompanies meals based on meat or seafood. An extraordinary ski trip and a total immersion in the culture of the regions crossed.
What you will do during your trip
You will ski off-piste for eight days discovering the mountains and volcanoes ofthe Andes Cordillera.
You will feast on delicious assado * Argentinian, prepared by gauchos, undisputed masters of grilled meat. * (famous Argentinian bbq).
Fans will feast on a good Argentinian Malbec or a superb Carmenere, the emblematic grape of Chilean wine.
The natural warm watersof the various volcanoes will revitalize you.
Frequently asked questions
The 9V guides use and recommend backcountry skis from 95 mm to 120 mm wide, depending on your size. Fitted with pin-type touring bindings with ski stops, these skis are fairly light, allowing you to ski with ease and save your legs in all types of snow. We recommend 4-hook freerando boots with 60° of travel.
Nop, we rather be slackcountry skiing. Slackcountry or sidecountry skiing is a mix of classic freeride/powder skiing with one or more short walks on foot or with skins from the top of the lifts. The aim is to quickly reach the beautiful powdery, trackless slopes, even when it hasn’t snowed for a long time. The emphasis is on the pleasure of the descent rather than the effort of the ascent.
Slackcountry skiing is THE powder guarantee!
TRAVEL BAG AND SKI BAG
As we travel by plane, boat, car or minibus, space is often at a premium. So it’s best to keep your luggage small and easy to carry. We advise you to travel with a soft duffel bag with wheels, a soft ski sleeve without wheels and a separate ski boot bag.
BACKPACK (25 / 35 liters with carrying strap for skis) for the day’s essentials:
– warm down jacket at the bottom of the bag,
– goggles with a screen for bad weather,
– neck warmer against wind, cold, powder and sun,
– high-protection sun cream for face and lips,
– spare gloves if you fall down a lot, or mittens if you’re afraid of the cold,
– thermos flask if it’s cold or camel bag if it’s mild,
– dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars,
– survival blanket, shovel and probe.
CLOTHING
You’ll spend a lot more time in ski clothes than in après-ski gear.
At any time of year, the weather can be fine and mild, or extremely cold, snowy or rainy.
Make sure you wear weather-appropriate clothing: During a snowstorm, skiing is fantastic in the forest. Pack an extra layer of clothing in your daypack to adapt to any changes in temperature. Temperatures vary with altitude, on the order of 10°C per 1000 meters. As a result, the difference in temperature between the valley and the summit can vary by 20° or more with the effect of the wind.
If you’re properly equipped, you’ll enjoy skiing whatever the weather. We ski in all weathers.
If you have an avalanche transceiver, we advise you to bring it with you. If it’s an old model, it’s a good opportunity to check that it’s working properly, and to practice with it. If it’s brand new, it’s important to use it as often as possible to familiarize yourself with its operation. Regular training is the only way to be efficient when you need it! If you don’t have a transceiver, please let us know on the registration form and we’ll provide you with one when possible.
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Program
DAY 1: Meet at San Rafael Airport (AFA)
Meeting with your guide, transfer by minibus to Las Leñas. Meal and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: Las Leñas
After the buffet breakfast, security briefing, equipment check and then exploration of the off-piste area of the resort. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 3: Cerro Martin 3600 mts
At the top of Marte chairlift, a short walk to reach the top of Cerro Martin and its magnificent couloirs. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 4: Torrecillas 3850 mts
3 hours of boot packing to reach the ridges that dominate Las Leñas on one side and Valle Hermoso on the other. From the top, the view of the cordillera seems to be endless. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 5: Ruta 40 – Las Leñas – San Martin de los Andes
Road to the south along the Andes Cordillera and its grandiose landscapes.
Night in the center of San Martin de Los Andes, at the hotel.
DAY 6: Chapelco
Ski at Chapelco ski resort and discover the local off-piste and lichen-clad moustache forests! Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 7: San Martin – Pucon
Entry to Chile, customs clearance, scenic route under the perfectly conical volcano Lanin, stop on the road to las termas de los pozones. (natural hot spring). Overnight at hotel Geronimo.
DAY 8: Villarica volcano 2840 mts
Ski touring from the top of the resort’s ski lifts to the crater of the active volcano Villarica. Ascent / descent : + 1400 mts et – 1700 mts. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 9: Spared day
To give us a second chance to climb to the top of the Villarica or else a well deserved rest and visit the hot springs of the “termas geometricas”. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 10: Pucon – Termas de Chillan
5 hours drive along the Araucania region and its volcanoes to reach Termas de Chillan. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 11: Ski Termas de Chillan
Off-piste skiing to explore Nevados de Chillan ski area. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 12: Ski Volcan Nuevo 3180 mts
Approach by ski lifts as close as possible, then ski touring to the summit. Ascent / descent : + 600 mts et -1500 mts. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 13 :Aguas Caliente
A short ski trip followed by a swim in a torrent of hot water flowing in the middle of a snowy valley. Return to ski via Valle Hermoso. Overnight at Cabanas Ecobox andino.
DAY 14: Termas – Santiago
Transfer by minibus to reach the capital of Chile. Overnight at hotel Los Espanoles in Santiago.
DAY15: End of the trip
Buffet breakfast and departure to Santiago International Airport (SCL).
The program is subject to change depending on the conditions on the ground and the fitness of the participants.
Hotels and Huts
Hotels and Huts
We have chosen comfortable and well-located hotels to discover this wild region of the planet.
HOTEL ARIES
tRignt next to the chair lift, the hotel offers comfort and luxury to relax after a good day of freeriding. On the program, heated outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. The breakfast buffet is very generous.
HOSTERIA ANAY
This small family-run hotel is located in the center of the pretty village of San Martin de Los Andes in Patagonia Argentina.
HOTELGERONIMO
Run by Joanna, the hotel is located in a quiet area of Pucon just a few minutes walk from the bars and restaurants.
CABANAS ECOBOX ANDINO
Just a few minutes drive from Nevados de Chillan resort right next to the nice bars and restaurants in the area.
HÔTEL LOS ESPANOLES
Member of the hotel of the chain “Best Western” and well located in the district of providencia in the heart of the capital of Chile.
Included
Included 9V GUIDES
Full time supervision for 6/7 people by a UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guide or a fully certified ski guide specialist of the region.
LIFT PASSES
6 days ski pass for all the ski resorts we cross.
ACCOMMODATION
14 nights in comfortable hotels in B&B formula on a double room basis.
-4 nights at Hotel Aries with buffet breakfast.
-2 nights at hosteria Anay with breakfast.
-3 nights at the Geronimo hotel with breakfast.
-4 nights at Cabanas Ecobox Andino with breakfast.
-1 night at the hotel BW Los Espanoles with breakfast.
TRANSPORTATION
All transportation during the safari for participants and luggage. Transportation will be by 4-wheel drive pick-up driven by your guide.
SAFETY GEAR
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
Not included
Not included RESCUE INSURANCE
TRIP INSURANCE
LUNCHS AND DINNERS
BACKCOUNTRY / SIDECOUNTRY SKIS
ENTRY TO THE NATURAL HOTSPRINGS
PLANE TICKETS
All plane tickets are at your expense.
