Off Piste Action in the Southern Hemisphere - Argentina

Las Lenas Chapelco Cerro Catedral Cerro Castor **

If you are looking for a ski challenge Argentina has it all! Couloirs, ridges, semi-vertical descents and bowls. What is more, these are all available from the ground which means that your pocket does not have to be deep enough to afford heli-skiing! We know that there are some excellent skiing challenges to be enjoyed in Argentina, and it is exciting to be pushing out the boundaries.

Off-Piste Skiers Suggested Itinerary

Las Lenas

Las Lenas has probably got the greatest amount of testing terrain, most of it accessed from the Marte lift, which was destroyed by an avalanche in 1987 four years after it was built. They rebuilt it and it is still going strong today. With over half a million acres, yes that is over 780 square miles! of off-piste skiing and descents up to 55% the experienced skier could not ask for more. Las Lenas' credentials are confirmed by its hosting of several extreme skiing and professional competitions since it was opened in 1983.

Cerro Catedral, Bariloche

If Las Lenas is not for you, go South to the resort of Cerro Catedral. How about the excitement of ski touring over the Catedral range to the snow-line above the south western shore of Lake Gutierrez. Some years the snow-line is so low, you will be skiing through bamboo forests! Be met by horses, to carry you and your skis down to the most idyllic Estancia, nestled in the valley on the flat of land comprising 'the great continental divide'. Here the ground between Lake Gutierrez and Mascardi, divides these two great lakes - Gutierrez draining into the Atlantic and Mascardi the Pacific. If you can bear to drag yourself away from the Estancia with its warm fire, bottles of red Malbeck wine and comfortable beds, another challenge awaits.

Ski Mount Tronadour! And in addition descend the Argentine Peak by the northern face. If conditions are not favourable you can come down by the glacier taking the normal route. The northern slope has an inclination of 40 to 45 degrees apparently. Very few have done this but our recce party of 4, led by Polly Murray (one of the youngest British women to have climbed Mount Everest) and Tash Wright, did just that in September 2005. Their words. "It was amazing!". They were led by one of Argentina's most experienced guides who will also be available to any of our clients who might wish to take on either the Tronadour or Argentine Peak challenges.

Chapelco, San Martin de los Andes

Then 70km by road from Cerro Cathedral there is Chapel Co. Very much a family resort, there is an exciting alternative for those good skiers in a group, desperate to break away for a day. Here the off piste is good too with the challenge of the Mount Lanin Volcano, seen in the distance.

Cerro Castor, Ushuaia

Finally there is Cerro Castor - again this has extreme skiing options and having met with the head of the ski instructors association whilst we were there, we have been assured that our clients would receive their full attention in providing an exciting off-piste programme. If the ski challenges aren't enough of a buzz there is also dog sledding locally and dry-suit diving in the Beagle channel. There is also some open air ice-skating and langlauf for those seeking more sedate entertainment. This is not a resort to be passed over!

Page Top