Patagonia Ski Touring – Hut to Hut from Bariloche
Granite spires, steep couloirs and long spring descents above the lakes of northern Patagonia. This ten-day trip starts in Bariloche and links three mountain huts, Refugio Frey, Jakob and López, by ski traverses through Nahuel Huapi National Park.
| Duration | 10 days, 7 ski days |
| Season | September and October (southern hemisphere spring) |
| Next departure | Dates on request |
| Price | from €3,998 per person (single room in Bariloche +€200) |
| Level | Moderate to demanding |
| Daily ascent | 700–1,200 m |
| Accommodation | Hotel in Bariloche and three mountain huts |
| Meeting point | San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC) |
| Minimum age | 18 |
Ski touring in Patagonia: why Bariloche
When the season ends in Europe, spring is starting in the southern Andes. The mountains around Bariloche offer alpine bowls, granite towers and couloirs you can reach straight from the huts, without long approaches each morning.
The hut-to-hut format is what makes this trip special. Each traverse brings a new basin and new lines, and the evenings in the refugios are part of the experience. Huts are simple: shared rooms, an indoor toilet and no shower.
Highlights
- Three classic huts: Frey, Jakob and López
- Couloirs and granite spires around Refugio Frey
- Steep lines and long descents in the Jakob basin
- Ski traverses through Nahuel Huapi National Park
- Spring snow while Europe goes into summer
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Bariloche. Transfer to a lakeside hotel, welcome dinner and meeting the guide.
Day 2 – Warm-up. Ski day at Cerro Catedral (La Laguna), or the Challhuaco valley if Catedral is closed or windy.
Day 3 – To Refugio Frey. A warm-up descent at Catedral, then a ski tour over the hills to Refugio Frey.
Days 4–5 – Frey. Two days of couloirs and granite peaks around the hut, choosing lines by snow and group.
Day 6 – Traverse to Refugio Jakob. An alpine traverse with shorter descents along the way.
Day 7 – Jakob basin. Steep couloirs and long descents around the hut.
Day 8 – Traverse to Refugio López. The longest and most demanding day of the trip.
Day 9 – Last tour. Pico Turista, Filo de las Cabras or slopes near López, then down to the trailhead and back to Bariloche for a farewell dinner.
Day 10 – Departure. Transfer to Bariloche airport.
Price includes
- All transfers as per the program
- Hotels and guesthouses with breakfast
- All meals on ski touring days
- One ski lift pass
- Licensed local ski touring guide
- National park entrance fees
- Trip preparation and VAT
Price excludes
- Flights to Bariloche
- Food and drinks while travelling
- Single room supplement
- Avalanche kit rental (book in advance)
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
Who is this tour for?
Experienced ski tourers who can link several big days in a row, carry a heavier pack between huts and ski steeper terrain. You should be comfortable with 700–1,200 m of climbing a day.
Equipment
Bring full ski touring gear: skis or splitboard with skins, touring boots, poles, helmet and avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, probe). Rental gear can be arranged if you book at least 21 days ahead. Shop ski touring equipment or see which destination fits which month.
Frequently asked questions
Late winter and spring in the southern hemisphere, so roughly August to October. We run this trip in September and October for stable spring snow.
Moderate to demanding, with 700–1,200 m of ascent per day. The traverse from Jakob to López is a long day with a full pack.
Simple and friendly: shared rooms, an indoor toilet and no shower. Refugio Frey is the most comfortable of the three.
At San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC). Most guests fly via Buenos Aires.
Yes. Every participant carries a beacon, shovel and probe. A kit can be rented if you book it in advance.
See all guided ski tours · When to go ski touring: month by month
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