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1-day Ski Tour on Cerro Unión (Cajón del Maipo) near Santiago, Chile

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Carlos Vasquez, an IFMGA certified mountain guide and native of Chile, leads this day ski trip in Valle de las Arenas.

Not specified

Andes

1 Day

Sep, Oct, Nov

Fit

Intermediate


Description

Located only 90 kilometers from metropolitan Santiago, Cerro Unión (3658m) is an ideal destination for a day ski trip. The panoramic views from the summit, along with its reputation for having some of the best snow in the region, have made Cerro Unión a local favorite. As is often the case with these “local” places, Cerro Unión is somewhat off the beaten path. Not to worry, however, I am here to show you the way.

We will get an early start on the day, departing from Santiago together at 6AM. We will travel along paved roads through the Cajón del Maipo gorge until reaching the Baños Morales thermal springs. At this point, we will continue along a dirt road toward Valle de las Arenas. This is where our adventure will officially begin.

From Valle de las Arenas, we will begin our upward journey toward the summit of Cerro Unión. After approximately 4-5 hours of trekking, we will have reached the top of the mountain. While Cerro Unión is not one of the tallest peaks around, it undoubtedly has one of the best views in the entire region. From the summit, we will have a spectacular 360° view over the Central Andes.

After catching our breath and taking in the incredible views from the top, we will begin our long, much anticipated descent. We will descend via the snowy south face of Cerro Unión, skiing all the way back down to Valle de las Arenas. There are multiple descent routes on the south face, allowing you to choose according to your experience level. 

Once we arrive back at Valle de las Arenas, we’ll pack up our gear and begin our 2-hour return journey to Santiago. The round-trip transfer from Santiago is included in the price, as is a boxed lunch to enjoy on the mountain. 

I ski with small groups and take a maximum of 4 people on each trip. All participants should be fit, intermediate level skiers. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

I grew up here in these mountains, and I want to show you one of my favorite ski slopes near Santiago, Chile. Click “Request to book” now to contact me and reserve your spot to ski on Cerro Unión.

If skiing is not your thing, you can still climb to the top of Cerro Unión with me. Check out my 1-day Mountaineering Adventure on Cerro Unión available between April and December.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Transportation start and back

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Price details

A box lunch is included in the price.


Details

Accommodation

Round-trip transportation from Santiago is included in the price.

Meeting point

Santiago

About the guide

IFGMA/UIAGM Guide from Chile

I have extensive experience guiding in the Andes and Europe. I am a resident in Chile, Spain and Chamonix. I am very sociable and motivated. I am always available for projects in the mountains.

Languages

French | English


What people are saying about Carlos Vasquez Barriga

Arthur Tiberge

5.00

September, 2023

El guía Carlos, siempre fue muy atento y responsable en lo que compete a sus funciones, nunca me sentí desconfiado o desprotegido. Posee un alto conocimiento técnico asi también como una gran experiencia como guía. estoy sumamente agradecido pues su perfil fue muy acertado para mi persona. 100% recomendados para cualquier otra persona que busque un guía. El servicio brindados por Uds. la organización Explore-share tambien esta bien bien puntuado, siempre me proporcionaron informacion clara, transparente y real. 100% recomendados

Ghadir

5.00

August, 2023

Carlos was very professional and friendly!

Alec Saccogna

5.00

August, 2023

Carlos was amazing! It was a very smooth climb and a very fun trip!

Sumru Tamer

5.00

August, 2023

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Greg Wilson

5.00

August, 2023

This was my first time using explore share. Due to my work I asked for a guide on short notice. Luckily, the Explore Share representative was able to get me a guide for my requested trip. I was able to do both my climbs that I requested. Carlos was friendly and knowledgeable of the area and routes. He was able to answer any questions I had before hand as well. Overall a great first trip to the Alps and I look forward to climbing there again.

Adrien van den Branden

5.00

July, 2023

Expérience inoubliable avec le sommet du Mont Blanc en prime! Carlos est un super guide qui connaît son métier. Il a eu la bonne idée d’emprunter la voie italienne qui est géniale et moins fréquentée. Attention néanmoins à être en bonne forme physique car Carlos gardera un certain rythme.

Ivan Schenck

5.00

July, 2023

Carlos is a very experienced guide and a fantastic person to be in the mountains with. Thanks to Carlos me and my son of 21 years old reached the top of Mont Blanc from the Italian side and descended on the French side. Even though it was a hard and tough route, It was an unforgettable trip with only positive memories.

Mihai Giurgiulescu

4.00

January, 2023

Unfortunately our trip did not go as planned due to weather and conditions in the mountains, so we had to change our second objective. Our guides handled that with professionalism and determination, which resulted in a successful summit. We summitted the first mountain as well. Overall it was a successful trip and we are grateful for the opportunity to have experienced the country of Chile the way it happened.

Warren Bryan

5.00

September, 2022

Great experience from start to finish. Lupe found my group a great trip on very short notice and our Guides Carlos and Edu were great. Nice long backcountry tours that led to gnarly terrain in the Maipo Valley. Fantastic experience, highly recommend!

Konrad Domanski

3.00

July, 2022

Carlos was guiding us very well in the mountains and he knew perfectly, what he was doing on rock or on ice. However, the communication was not the easiest and we also did not learn as much as we wanted on our two "training days" - it was mostly teaching through doing rather than showing us new techniques.

Rudolfs Kregers

5.00

July, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Jason McDonald

5.00

July, 2022

Carlos was a fantastic guide.

Mihai Simoniac

5.00

June, 2022

Had a Wonderful Time in the french alps. However, the down side of it, is that I did not make it to the summit because of the weather, and had to make a U-turn from 4,400m altitude, just 1-2h away from the summit. Now after the first try, I think this can be organised differently so the chance for the summit is twofold or even three fold. How can it be done differently? Acclimatisation can start at Tete Rouse refuge with overnight stay plus two nights at Goutter refuge. If done this way the chance of making it to the Mont Blanc summit increases. You have a bad weather one morning, but you try it from 12noon & have plenty of time as you'll slip at Goutter. If all day has bad weather you try again next morning...

Christian Carrillo

5.00

June, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Susie Jones

5.00

December, 2021

Carlos is a very accomplished rock climber, speaks great English, and is fun to be around. We felt very safe while climbing with him on the Sharks Fin, and learned a lot too.


 

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