Antarctica Ski Touring Expedition with a guide
Sail to the Antarctic Peninsula, then spend up to 10 days ski touring from a private expedition vessel with two IFMGA mountain guides. This 20-day journey combines remote ski mountaineering, Zodiac-supported glacier landings, wildlife encounters, and a charter flight back to Punta Arenas.
Group
20 Days
Dec
High
Advanced
Highlights
- Spend up to 10 days ski touring among the glaciers, icebergs, and coastal peaks of the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Travel and stay aboard a private, ice-strengthened expedition vessel equipped for remote polar navigation.
- Explore with two IFMGA mountain guides experienced in Antarctic ski mountaineering and expedition logistics.
Description
The Antarctic Peninsula offers one of the most remote and visually powerful ski mountaineering settings on Earth. Icebergs, glaciers, steep coastal peaks, and open ocean define a landscape where every landing and ski objective depends on weather, sea conditions, snow stability, and safe access.
This 20-day expedition begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, before flying to the Malvinas Islands and boarding a private expedition vessel. After crossing the Southern Ocean, the group will dedicate up to 10 full days to ski mountaineering on the Antarctic Peninsula. Daily plans may involve Zodiac landings on snow-covered shores or glaciers, followed by ski ascents and descents overlooking the ocean and surrounding ice. Two additional buffer days and one final reserve day are built into the program to accommodate the highly variable conditions of Antarctic travel.
The expedition is led by two UIAGM/IFMGA-certified mountain guides and is designed for a small open group of 6 to 10 guests. Jorge, lead AndesCross mountain guide, has worked as a ski guide on the Antarctic Peninsula since 2009 and has extensive experience guiding ski mountaineering expeditions in remote environments.
After the skiing program, the group will disembark on King George Island and return to Punta Arenas by charter flight, avoiding a second ocean crossing. Send a request to receive full booking details and confirm availability for the expedition!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
- All meals during trip
Price details
- ✅Included
- Services of two professional mountain guides for the expedition
- Guides with experience from 12 previous trips to the Antarctic Peninsula
- 18 days of private vessel navigation and onboard accommodation
- Meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic beverages prepared onboard
- Zodiac operations for shore and glacier landings
- Safety equipment coordination and polar logistics
- Charter flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas
- ❌Not included
- International flights to and from Punta Arenas
- Flight from Punta Arenas to the Malvinas Islands
- Hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas
- Meals in Punta Arenas
- Personal ski mountaineering equipment
- Mandatory medical and evacuation insurance
- Services not specifically listed as included
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Punta Arenas
Arrive at Punta Arenas Airport in Chile. Transfer to the hotel, meet the guides, complete the equipment check, and attend the final expedition briefing.
Accommodation in Punta Arenas is not included.
Day 2: Flight to the Malvinas Islands and embarkation
Fly from Punta Arenas to the Malvinas Islands. After arrival, board the private expedition vessel, meet the crew, attend the vessel safety briefing, and settle into the assigned cabins.
Navigation may begin the same day, depending on weather and operational conditions.
Day 3 to 6: Southern Ocean crossing
Navigate south toward Antarctica over approximately four days.
Time onboard may include wildlife observation, lectures on Antarctic history, and avalanche safety briefings led by the mountain guides. Possible wildlife sightings include whales, petrels, and albatrosses.
Day 7 to 8: Weather buffer days
These flexible days are included to account for weather windows and delays during the Southern Ocean crossing.
When navigation progresses efficiently, the guides may add these days to the skiing or exploration program.
Day 9 to 18: Antarctic ski touring
Spend up to 10 full days ski touring on the Antarctic Peninsula.
The daily routine may include:
- Zodiac transfers from the vessel to glaciers or snow-covered shores.
- Ski ascents on remote alpine peaks and glaciated terrain.
- Descents with views of icebergs, glaciers, and the Southern Ocean.
- Daily route selection based on weather, snow stability, sea conditions, and landing access.
The two IFMGA guides will make all final operational and safety decisions.
Day 19: Reserve day
A final weather and operational reserve day is included. Depending on conditions and logistics, it may be used for an additional ski objective, exploration, or navigation toward the departure point.
Day 20: King George Island and flight to Punta Arenas
Disembark at King George Island in the South Shetland Islands and board the charter flight to Punta Arenas.
The expedition ends upon arrival at Punta Arenas Airport.
Details
Accommodation
Punta Arenas: Hotel accommodation is required before embarkation but is not included in the expedition price.
During the expedition: Guests stay aboard a private expedition vessel for 18 days. Cabin assignment takes place after boarding.
The vessel has an ice-strengthened steel hull, an aluminum superstructure, a cruising speed of approximately 8 knots, and an endurance of up to 8,000 nautical miles or 40 days at cruising speed.
More info
The vessel is equipped with:
- GPS positioning and electronic chart software
- Two radars
- Magnetic and fluxgate compasses
- Autopilot, depth sounder, and AIS
- DSC VHF and HF radios
- SatC, Iridium Pilot, and Starlink communications
- Fire detection and suppression systems
- Two 20-person life rafts
- EPIRB and SART emergency equipment
- Immersion suits and life jackets
FAQs
Do I need previous ski touring experience?
Yes. This is an advanced expedition in remote and glaciated terrain. Participants should already be confident ski tourers and strong off-piste skiers.
Are 10 ski days guaranteed?
No. The itinerary allocates up to 10 full days to ski mountaineering, but the final number of ski days will depend on navigation, weather, sea conditions, snow stability, and landing access.
How do we reach the ski terrain?
The group will generally travel from the expedition vessel to the shore or glacier by Zodiac. From there, participants will begin the ski ascent.
Will we cross the Southern Ocean both ways?
No. The planned itinerary includes an outbound sea crossing, followed by a charter flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas at the end of the expedition.
Are meals included?
Meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages are included while onboard the expedition vessel. Meals in Punta Arenas are not included.
Is accommodation in Punta Arenas included?
No. The required hotel stay in Punta Arenas is excluded.
Is technical equipment provided?
Personal ski mountaineering equipment is not included.
What happens when the weather changes the itinerary?
The guides and vessel crew will adapt the program according to safety and operational conditions. Buffer and reserve days are included, but route changes, delays, or fewer ski days remain possible.
What insurance do I need?
Medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory
How large is the group?
The expedition is designed for 6 to 10 guests with two IFMGA mountain guides.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
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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