Dispatch from Argentina
August 2024
The Zenith crew just wrapped up a 10-day smash and grab ski touring trip to the Andes. Based out of the unique, European-style, hut system in Bariloche, Argentina, the 3 person crew and Zenith guide, Brian Burger, were able to maximize their trip and ski southern hemi pow nearly everyday.
The trip started on September 1st with a meter of new snow and extreme winds. Day one began with some storm skiing in the forests below the Lopez hut. The perfectly spaced Lenga trees felt akin to skiing in Japan and the crew was grateful for some tree skiing laps to get their legs back under them after long travel itineraries.
The storm continued on day two but allowed the team to sneak into the alpine to access the infamous Refugio Frey from the sheltered valley below. The moment we broke treeline, we were hammered by Patagonia winds, but shortly thereafter, greeted by the welcome sight of the stone hut built in 1957. The ambiance and setting of Frey is unforgettable. Behind the hut lies a breathtaking view of golden granite spires split by snowy couloirs. It’s a climber’s and skier’s paradise and the terrain is so stacked that you can’t help but ski until your legs give out. The team spent two days alternating between skiing their brains out and seeking shelter from the storm within the walls of the refugio. The catered food is good and the vibes are better.
Zenith guides getting the goods in the Bariloche Backcountry and at the snack shack - it’s hot dog time boys!
On day five, the weather broke and allowed the crew passage deeper into the mountains. Refugio Jakob is less well-known but the ski terrain is the best. Getting to Jakob is the hardest part and the commitment factor is real, but with equal reward. Jakob is the newest of the huts, bigger than Frey, and situated at the head of three different valleys. The crew spent three days at Jakob and found the best skiing of the trip. Steep couloirs, sheltered powder and big mountains that felt similar to the terrain back home in the Coast mountains of BC.
On day eight, with yet another storm system on the horizon, the group took advantage of the weather window to make the egress back to town. After a full day of climbing solar and skiing polar slopes, we made it back to Bariloche for pizza and a reset.
After a much needed rest day, and the arrival of another spring storm dashed the idea of heading to the high peaks, we drove north from Bariloche to Villa Angostura to ski + ride the side country of Cerro Bayo. Cerro Bayo is a quaint, sleepy ski area that has awesome, freeride terrain directly adjacent to the resort and a unique Argentinian ski experience. Short ski tours brought us to secluded slopes and gullies all by ourselves with 20cm of wind-buffed pow to end the trip.
The Andes are one of the great ranges and they offer adventure and ambiance all of their own. We felt this in the warmth of the mountain community, the power of the Patagonia wind + sun, and the spectacular settings of the historic mountain huts. The food is amazing - even for vegetarians! The hospitality is cool and comfortable, and the ski terrain is limitless; we’ll be back in 2025!
