A 7-day adventure in Patagonia to summit and ski amazing peaks in the Andes, learn fundamental ski mountaineering skills, and progress your big mountain skiing. Our program supports a range of skills and abilities & will be a ton of fun!
Total Program Price: $5,450/person
Deposit secures your spot, final payment will be ACH, Zelle or Credit Card with service fee
All deposits are nonrefundable. Payment in full of the remaining balance is due 180 days before your trip starts.
Few destinations ignite the spirit of adventure and awe-inspiring scenery like the Bariloche backcountry in Patagonia. As one of Argentina’s premier zones for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, it's a dream for mountain enthusiasts. Join Blackbird Mountain Guides for a 7-day Patagonia Ski Mountaineering Program where you'll dive into this iconic region with expert-led touring and hands-on ski mountaineering instruction.
We'll carve tracks through the famed terrain around Cerro Catedral and aim to summit and ski peaks like Cerro López, Bella Vista, Petito Moreno, Cerro Bayo, and El Bolsón. A highlight of the trip includes two nights at the remote and beloved Refugio Frey—an alpine hut nestled deep in the mountains. This adventure offers a quick escape from the everyday, immersing you in a landscape of glacial lakes, rugged peaks, and thick forest. After big days in the backcountry, unwind in cozy European-style lodges and enjoy the warm, welcoming culture of Patagonia—a perfect balance of mountain challenge and soulful recharge.
Our potential ski/ride objectives include:
Day 1 - Arrival in San Carlos de Bariloche!
Day 2 - Cerro Catedral Ski Day
Day 3 - Bella Vista or Cerro Lopez
Day 4 - Bella Vista or Cerro Lopez
Day 5 - Rest Day / Resort Day.
This will be a fun day with options for a variety of fun activities. We can take the day out of our boots or make it a mellow touring day if people would prefer more skiing. Possible daytime activities include:
Blackbird will facilitate down day activities, but additional costs associated will be the responsibility of the guests.
Day 6 - Refugio Frey / Refugio Jacob (Night 1)
Refugio Frey is a unique hut centered in a cirque of jagged granite towers, flush with excellent ski lines. We’ll do our best to make it to this hut on this trip, but ultimately there are a lot of factors that could impact our ability to get into the huts. After breakfast, we’ll load the ski lifts to get a start on our approach to Refugio Frey. We’ll tour into the hut where we’ll settle in and get some dinner for the evening.
Day 7 - Refugio Frey / Refugio Jacob (Night 2)
Ski touring/mountaineering in the basin outside of the Frey Hut. The terrain and views in this area are spectacular! We'll get in a full day of skiing before heading back to the Refugio for dinner and bed.
Day 8 - Head back to town from Refugio Frey
Our last day at the Frey Hut, we'll take advantage of the awesome ski terrain and get in some laps before packing up and heading back to town. We'll close our trip with a celebration dinner in Bariloche.
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
Here's what's included with your trip:
Not Included
Ski/Split Touring Gear
Note: Any scheduled program can also be run as a private program with customized dates and rates.
Both options offer exceptional guiding and experiences. Choose what works best for you!
Day 0 - Arrive in San Carlos de Bariloche, pickup by Blackbird Mountain Guides
Day 1 - Catedral Ski Day
Day 2 - Bella Vista or Cerro Lopez
Day 3 - Bella Vista or Cerro Lopez
Day 4 - Rest Day / Resort Day.
This will be a fun day with options for a variety of fun activities. We can take the day out of our boots or make it a mellow touring day if people would prefer more skiing. Down day activities include:
Blackbird will facilitate down day activities, but additional costs associated will be the responsibility of the guests.
Day 5 - Refugio Frey / Refugio Jacob / Refugio (Night 1)
Refugio Frey is a unique hut centered in a cirque of jagged granite towers, flush with excellent ski lines. We’ll do our best to make it to this hut on this trip, but ultimately there are a lot of factors that could impact our ability to get into the huts. After breakfast, we’ll load the ski lifts to get a start on our approach to Refugio Frey. We’ll tour into the hut where we’ll settle in and get some dinner for the evening.
Day 6 - Refugio Frey / Refugio Jacob / Refugio (Night 2)
Ski touring/mountaineering in the basin outside of the Frey Hut. The terrain and views in this area are spectacular! We'll get in a full day of skiing before heading back to the Refugio for dinner and bed.
Day 7 - Refugio Frey - Out and back to town
Our last day at the Frey Hut, we'll take advantage of the awesome ski terrain and get in some laps before packing up and heading back to town. We'll close our trip with a celebration dinner in Bariloche.
Few destinations ignite the spirit of adventure and awe-inspiring scenery like the Bariloche backcountry in Patagonia. As one of Argentina’s premier zones for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, it's a dream for mountain enthusiasts. Join Blackbird Mountain Guides for a 7-day Patagonia Ski Mountaineering Program where you'll dive into this iconic region with expert-led touring and hands-on ski mountaineering instruction.
We'll carve tracks through the famed terrain around Cerro Catedral and aim to summit and ski peaks like Cerro López, Bella Vista, Petito Moreno, Cerro Bayo, and El Bolsón. A highlight of the trip includes two nights at the remote and beloved Refugio Frey—an alpine hut nestled deep in the mountains. This adventure offers a quick escape from the everyday, immersing you in a landscape of glacial lakes, rugged peaks, and thick forest. After big days in the backcountry, unwind in cozy European-style lodges and enjoy the warm, welcoming culture of Patagonia—a perfect balance of mountain challenge and soulful recharge.
Our potential ski/ride objectives include:
Day 1 - Arrival in San Carlos de Bariloche!
Day 2 - Cerro Catedral Ski Day
Day 3 - Bella Vista or Cerro Lopez
Day 4 - Bella Vista or Cerro Lopez
Day 5 - Rest Day / Resort Day.
This will be a fun day with options for a variety of fun activities. We can take the day out of our boots or make it a mellow touring day if people would prefer more skiing. Possible daytime activities include:
Blackbird will facilitate down day activities, but additional costs associated will be the responsibility of the guests.
Day 6 - Refugio Frey / Refugio Jacob (Night 1)
Refugio Frey is a unique hut centered in a cirque of jagged granite towers, flush with excellent ski lines. We’ll do our best to make it to this hut on this trip, but ultimately there are a lot of factors that could impact our ability to get into the huts. After breakfast, we’ll load the ski lifts to get a start on our approach to Refugio Frey. We’ll tour into the hut where we’ll settle in and get some dinner for the evening.
Day 7 - Refugio Frey / Refugio Jacob (Night 2)
Ski touring/mountaineering in the basin outside of the Frey Hut. The terrain and views in this area are spectacular! We'll get in a full day of skiing before heading back to the Refugio for dinner and bed.
Day 8 - Head back to town from Refugio Frey
Our last day at the Frey Hut, we'll take advantage of the awesome ski terrain and get in some laps before packing up and heading back to town. We'll close our trip with a celebration dinner in Bariloche.
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
Here's what's included with your trip:
Not Included
Ski/Split Touring Gear
Ok, this was my 2nd hut trip with Blackbird and wow was it amazing. I mean, at 50 if I had done this 25 years ago I am pretty sure my life would have gone in a very different direction.
First and foremost, Zeb Blaise (owner and lead guide), is an absolute rockstar. He ensured that everyone made it to the lodge no matter how hard the weather and airlines tried to prevent it. He was constantly working to make sure this was an amazing experience.
While visibility was difficult all week I still think we scored big time. With 5-10cm of fresh every day and a mix of guides and practicum's with local knowledge we were never longing for more. With the ability to self select we were able to choose from skiing bell to bell or a more mellow day but always had fun.
I could go on about the food being fantastic and the hut's sauna for days but there is only so much room to type.
Oh yeah, about the pillows... This is probably this best pillow terrain I've ever seen, in person, a magazine or a video part. I mean Mike Lindell would be jealous of this place. A week later and I'm still dreaming about pillow lines!
The only real question is whether I will return to Snowfall or check out a different hut next winter...
In short, a once in a lifetime experience. The perfect balance between comfort (a lodge that is off the grid but has everything you need, including sauna and amazing food) and outdoor adventure (disconnected, epic snow and terrain, unreal views, the list goes on). To top it off, Blackbird guides helps to make the experience as good as it gets. They are professionals at coordinating and communicating plans, as well as true backcountry mountain guides - ensuring a safe experience, while providing education and guaranteeing epic powder turns. I have used Blackbird since they started and will continue to do so. They are at the top of their game. Don't miss this trip, or frankly, any trip Blackbird puts together. If you have the opportunity, GO!
Magnificent terrain to explore each day and a beautiful hut to return to each night. Couldn’t have loved this week more!
Blackbird trips are something special. Amazing terrain, super knowledgeable and fun guides, great guests, and spectacular food. Snowfall had it all, from high alpine & glaciers to super fun tree and pillow skiing. Looking forward to coming back.
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