Ski Touring Hut to Hut Traverse in Patagonia: Frey to Jakob
Explore one of Argentina’s classic hut-to-hut ski touring traverses in Northern Patagonia, linking Frey Mountain Hut and Jakob Hut through the spectacular landscapes of Nahuel Huapi National Park. A 6-day backcountry skiing adventure combining powder skiing, alpine terrain, remote mountain huts, and the expertise of local guides.
Group
Andes
6 Days
Jul - Sep
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Ski tour between two iconic Patagonian mountain huts while exploring the remote valleys of Nahuel Huapi National Park.
- Ski a wide variety of terrain, from powder fields and mellow alpine slopes to steep couloirs and ski mountaineering objectives.
- Enjoy the unique combination of wilderness, local mountain huts, and professional guiding in the Andes of Argentina.
Description
Discover one of the best hut-to-hut ski touring adventures in Patagonia, Argentina, traversing the spectacular valleys and ridges of Nahuel Huapi National Park between Frey Mountain Hut and Jakob Hut.
Bariloche’s European mountain heritage has created a unique network of mountain huts that allows skiers and trekkers to move through the Andes while staying immersed in remote mountain landscapes. This traverse is designed for experienced backcountry skiers looking to escape crowded ski resorts and explore some of the best ski terrain in the region.
Over six days, you will ski tour through the Northern Patagonia Lake District, combining ski mountaineering objectives, powder fields, couloirs, alpine descents, and scenic ridgelines. The itinerary begins with a warm-up ski day at Cerro Catedral, followed by the approach to Frey Mountain Hut, where the surrounding granite spires offer excellent ski lines and steep terrain.
The traverse continues toward Jakob Mountain Hut, crossing remote valleys with impressive views of the Patagonian Andes. From Jakob, the group can explore different ski objectives depending on weather, snow conditions, and participants’ abilities, including options around Cuernos del Diablo, Cerro Sella, and the surrounding Fresco Valley.
This guided ski touring trip is ideal for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers who want a true Patagonian mountain experience, combining demanding ski days, comfortable mountain hut stays, and the knowledge of local professional guides.
Request your place on this Patagonia ski touring traverse and experience one of Argentina’s most iconic hut-to-hut backcountry ski adventures.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
Price details
- ✅What's Included
- Professional IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide from Argentina and Chile.
- All transportation during the ski trip.
- Accommodation in mountain huts with full board.
- All meals during the ski traverse.
- Emergency equipment including VHF radio and emergency stove.
- ❌What's Not Included
- Ski lift ticket at Cerro Catedral.
- Access ticket to Frey Hut.
- Meals in Bariloche.
- Accommodation in Bariloche.
- Ski touring equipment rental (skis, boots, skins).
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Ski day at Cerro Catedral and equipment check
The adventure begins with a ski day at Cerro Catedral Ski Resort with professional mountain guides. This day allows the group to test equipment, evaluate skiing ability, and explore some of the resort’s best terrain.
The day includes short hikes to ridges with views of the Andes, Cerro Tronador, and the surrounding lakes.
In the afternoon, return to Bariloche to organize equipment before starting the hut-to-hut traverse.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bariloche Meals: Not included at the ski resort
Day 2: Ski to Frey Mountain Hut and first backcountry descents
From Cerro Catedral, the group takes the lifts to reach higher terrain before beginning the ski approach toward Nahuel Huapi National Park.
After skinning up to the ridge, the descent enters the Van Titter Valley, choosing the best terrain according to snow conditions.
After reaching Frey Hut and leaving equipment, the group can explore nearby terrain with options including forest skiing, short tours, or steeper couloir descents.
Frey Hut is known for its spectacular granite surroundings and offers a unique mountain atmosphere with homemade meals.
Accommodation: Frey Mountain Hut
Day 3: Ski touring around Frey Hut
A full day dedicated to exploring the ski terrain around Frey Hut.
The guide selects objectives according to participant level, weather, and snow conditions. The area offers a variety of possibilities, including steep couloirs, open powder fields, ski descents, and summit objectives.
This is an opportunity to experience the remote feeling of Patagonia while using the hut as a comfortable base.
Accommodation: Frey Mountain Hut
Day 4: Ski traverse from Frey Hut to Jakob Hut
After breakfast, the group begins the main traverse toward Jakob Hut.
The route involves climbing approximately 400 meters before descending a west-facing slope. The group then crosses open valleys and climbs toward the ridge above the destination, with views toward Tres Reyes and the surrounding Patagonian Andes.
A final descent leads to Jakob Mountain Hut.
The ski touring day lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours.
Accommodation: Jakob / San Martín Hut
Day 5: Ski touring around Jakob Hut
Explore the remote surroundings of Jakob Hut with different ski objectives depending on conditions and group level.
Possible objectives include ski lines around Cerro Sella and Constructores, exploring the Fresco Valley, or attempting Cuernos del Diablo, one of the highlights of the area when conditions allow.
The area offers options for different levels of backcountry skiers, from mellow terrain to more technical ski lines.
Accommodation: Jakob / San Martín Hut
Day 6: Ski out to civilization
The final day consists of the return from Jakob Hut toward Cerro Catedral.
The ski out takes approximately 5 hours. If weather or snow conditions prevent the ski return, the guide may use the summer hiking trail option through one of Bariloche’s scenic valleys.
The trip ends with transportation back to your accommodation in Bariloche.
End of guiding services.
Details
Accommodation
Accommodation includes mountain huts during the ski traverse:
Frey Mountain Hut Jakob / San Martín Mountain Hut
The huts provide mountain accommodation and meals during the ski trip.
Additional accommodation in Bariloche is not included.
More info
Difficulty Level
Intermediate to advanced backcountry skiing
This trip requires previous ski touring experience and the ability to efficiently move through alpine terrain with a ski touring setup.
Participants should be comfortable skiing variable snow conditions, including steeper terrain and off-piste descents.
Skill and Fitness Level Required
Participants should have:
- Previous experience with backcountry skiing or ski touring.
- Strong downhill skiing ability outside marked ski areas.
- Ability to complete multiple consecutive days of ski touring.
- Good aerobic fitness for long mountain days carrying a backpack.
- Experience using ski touring equipment, skins, beacon, shovel, and probe.
Equipment you will need to bring
Personal Mountain Equipment
- 35 to 40L backpack.
- Sleeping bag (ideally 600 to 700g down fill).
- Synthetic socks.
- Quick-dry mountain pants.
- Merino wool base layers.
- Waterproof Gore-Tex pants.
- Technical T-shirt (Capilene or merino wool).
- Lightweight fleece layer.
- Mid-layer fleece or insulated jacket.
- Down jacket or warm insulated jacket.
- Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket.
- Thin gloves for skinning.
- Warm ski gloves.
- Warm hat.
- Sun hat.
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
- Ski goggles.
- Sunscreen and lip protection.
- Headlamp.
- Water bottle.
- Thermos.
- Earplugs recommended for mountain huts.
- Toiletries.
- Pocket knife.
- Crocs or hut footwear.
Ski Touring Equipment
- Ski touring skis, telemark skis, or splitboard.
- Touring boots.
- Climbing skins.
- Ski poles.
- Helmet.
- Avalanche beacon.
- Shovel.
- Probe.
- Boot crampons.
- Ice axe.
- Ski crampons (mandatory, especially in spring conditions).
- Harness.
- Two locking carabiners.
FAQs
Do I need previous ski touring experience?
Yes. This trip is designed for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers with previous experience using ski touring equipment.
Is this a ski resort trip?
No. This is a backcountry ski touring traverse between mountain huts, with ski touring approaches and alpine descents.
What type of terrain will we ski?
The terrain includes powder fields, alpine slopes, couloirs, steeper ski lines, and ski mountaineering objectives depending on conditions.
Do I need to bring my own ski touring equipment?
Yes, unless rental arrangements are organized separately. Ski touring equipment is not included in the price.
About the guide
Andescross
5.0
(9)
Mountain Guide
Andescross offers personalized mountain adventures in Patagonia, Argentina and Chile, led by experienced UIAGM/IFMGA-certified mountain guides. Based in Bariloche, their team specializes in trekking, mountaineering, ski touring, rock climbing, glacier experiences and mountain biking across the Southern Andes. With decades of local knowledge and a passion for wild landscapes, Andescross creates tailored adventures combining safety, professionalism and authentic exploration.
While our home and core expertise lie in the breathtaking Southern Andes, we stretch the boundaries of exploration to some of the world's most spectacular alpine playgrounds:
- Patagonia (Argentina & Chile): Custom programs across the rugged landscapes of the Far South.
- The Alps: Classic climbs and ski touring trips in the cradle of mountaineering.
- Norway: Sailing and ski touring and dream lines winding down to the fjords.
- Antarctica: Once-in-a-lifetime expeditions to the pristine white continent.
Languages
French | English | Spanish
Certificates
UIAGM | IFMGA
What people are saying about Andescross
I can't say enough good things about AndesCross and my recent 7 day backcountry hut tour. Trip of a life time in all aspects. We skied incredible terrain, experienced the local culture and had an amazing time as a group. Everyone had the opportunity to achieve bigger ski objectives while staying safe. Jorge made sure everyone in our group had a great experience, both while skiing and while in Bariloche. None of the pictures do justice. Everything was perfect. I've done a number of similar trips in the US and Canada and would rank this at the very top of my list.
This was my first experience of a backcountry and Patagonian skiing and it could not have been a more rewarding experience. Unbelievable scenery, fantastic skiing and great fun. Jorge is the consummate host, able to combine a group of mixed ability fitness and experience without ever compromising on the level of challenge: guide, teacher, asador, guitar master and now friend, I cannot recommend Andescross highly enough
I had a great time in Bariloche and went with Andescross to climb in Frey and also ascend Cerro Tronador along with a friend I was travelling with. Jorge is awesome and made the whole experience enjoyable. His love of this beautiful area comes across and he was very accommodating with us, working around the weather (it snowed one night at Frey) and maximizing the amount and quality of climbing we did. He also took us to Cerro Lopez to get one last climb in since we had minimal good weather up at Frey. Jorge is a great guide and I was very comfortable climbing with him. After a couple day's rest we ascended Cerro Tronador with Nahuel. It is a great glacier climb with a spicy finish. A pretty demanding ascent and descent, but well worth the view from Pico Argentina. I would definitely go climbing with Jorge and Andescross again and hope to soon!
Jorge was a phenomenal mountain guide. He put us in some great snow and kept everyone safe. He is personally a great guy and went out of his way to make sure everyone had a great time. I'm always happy to serve as a reference for anyone considering a trip with Andescross. Spent two days in Baguales. Snow as incredible and the food was tier I. A truly unique, top tier experience. Hundreds of acres of private ski land in the Andes provided a unique, isolated touring experience. Spent four days at Frey Hut. Jorge knew all the tips and tricks to make the stay very enjoyable. We toured up to a few peaks every day. Made lots of friends from all walks of life. I would do this trip again in a heartbeat, and hopefully take more time to do a few volcanoes later in the season. Next on the list - Antarctica or Norway with Andescross!
Adam
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