Guided ski touring trip in Frey Hut: Couloirs and Granite in Patagonia
5.0
(2)
Explore the legendary Frey Hut backcountry skiing terrain in Patagonia on a 4-day ski touring adventure among granite spires, frozen lagoons, and world-class couloirs in Nahuel Huapi National Park.
Group
Andes
4 Days
Aug - Oct
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Ski world-class backcountry terrain surrounded by the iconic granite spires of the Frey cirque.
- Explore a wide variety of ski touring objectives, from powder bowls to technical couloirs depending on conditions.
- Stay in the legendary Frey Hut and enjoy the unique international atmosphere of this Patagonian mountain refuge.
Description
Located in the heart of Patagonia’s Nahuel Huapi National Park, Refugio Frey is considered one of Argentina’s most iconic destinations for ski touring and backcountry skiing. Surrounded by golden granite towers, alpine valleys, and a frozen lagoon, the Frey cirque offers an exceptional variety of terrain for skiers looking to experience the unique combination of adventure, scenery, and technical skiing that defines Patagonia.
Frey Hut is a place where many local mountain guides grew up exploring, climbing its granite walls in summer and skiing its couloirs during winter. The area has become a meeting point for backcountry skiers from around the world thanks to its spectacular setting and endless terrain possibilities.
This 4-day ski touring and ski mountaineering trip begins from Cerro Catedral Ski Resort, where we use the lifts to quickly gain elevation before entering the backcountry. From there, we cross into Nahuel Huapi National Park and ski towards Frey Hut, our base for three nights of mountain exploration.
During the following days, we will choose the best objectives according to snow conditions, weather, and the group’s experience. The terrain ranges from mellow bowls and open powder slopes to steeper couloirs between the granite spires, with options including steep chutes of around 30 to 50 degrees for advanced skiers. The famous Zebra Couloirs offer one of the highlights for experienced backcountry skiers, with long continuous descents in a spectacular alpine environment.
After full days skiing in the mountains, Frey Hut provides a welcoming atmosphere with homemade meals, local beer, wine, and the chance to share stories with other skiers from around the world.
Join the Andescross guide team for a unique Patagonia ski touring experience and request your booking for this 4-day Frey Hut backcountry skiing adventure.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- All meals during trip
Price details
- ✅Included
- UIAGM / IFMGA certified mountain guide service.
- 4WD transportation.
- All meals in the mountains.
- Accommodation at Frey Hut.
- ❌Not Included
- Cerro Catedral lift ticket.
- Drinks at Frey Hut.
- Ski touring equipment rental.
- Personal equipment and clothing.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Cerro Catedral - Frey Hut
We meet at Cerro Catedral Ski Resort and use the Alta Patagonia lifts to quickly gain elevation above the tree line.
With skis on, we skin for less than an hour towards the ridge marking the border of Nahuel Huapi National Park, enjoying views across the Patagonian Lakes District.
We then descend into the Van Titter Valley, choosing the best aspect according to snow conditions and snow quality. From the valley, we continue skinning towards Frey Hut, where we leave our equipment, rest, and enjoy a snack.
Depending on conditions and energy levels, we can finish the day with a mellow forest run, an exploratory ski tour, or a steeper couloir.
Night: Frey Hut Meals: Homemade pizza, fresh pasta, fondue, and local drinks available at the hut.
Day 2: Ski Touring in the Frey Cirque
After breakfast, we prepare skis and skins before crossing the frozen Laguna Toncek to explore the surrounding terrain.
The guide will select the best objectives depending on snow conditions and weather, allowing the group to discover the variety of terrain Frey has to offer.
Possible objectives include powder slopes, open bowls, and steeper lines between the granite towers.
We carry lunch to enjoy in the mountains before returning to Frey Hut for dinner.
Night: Frey Hut
Day 3: Exploring More Frey Terrain
A full day dedicated to discovering more of Frey’s backcountry terrain.
The itinerary will be adapted according to the conditions, allowing the group to ski different aspects and explore new objectives around the cirque.
If weather conditions are poor, the hut provides a comfortable base to rest, recover, and connect with other mountain travelers.
Night: Frey Hut
Day 4: Final Ski Run and Return to Villa Catedral
After breakfast, we can enjoy one final ski run before beginning the descent back towards Villa Catedral.
The group skis and skins back to the starting area, where the guide service ends.
Transfer back to your accommodation in Bariloche is included.
Details
Accommodation
Frey Hut
The trip includes accommodation at Refugio Frey, a mountain hut located beside Laguna Toncek in Nahuel Huapi National Park.
The hut is known for its welcoming atmosphere, homemade meals, local drinks, and international community of climbers and skiers.
More info
Difficulty Level
Intermediate to Advanced / Expert Backcountry Skiers
This trip is designed for experienced backcountry skiers comfortable with ski touring techniques, variable mountain terrain, and off-piste skiing.
Required Skills and Fitness Level
Participants should have:
- Solid backcountry skiing experience.
- Ability to ski confidently in different snow conditions.
- Good physical fitness for multiple consecutive days of ski touring.
- Experience using ski touring equipment, skins, avalanche safety equipment, and mountain travel techniques.
The exact objectives and difficulty will depend on weather, snow conditions, and the group’s abilities.
Equipment you will need to bring
Personal Equipment
- 35-40L backpack.
- Sleeping bag (ideally 600-700g down fill).
- Synthetic socks (2 pairs).
- Quick-dry mountain pants.
- Merino wool long underwear.
- Waterproof Gore-Tex pants.
- Technical T-shirt (Capilene or merino wool).
- Thin fleece layer.
- Mid fleece or insulated synthetic jacket.
- Down jacket or warm insulated layer.
- Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket.
- Thin fleece gloves.
- Warm ski gloves.
- Warm hat.
- Sun hat.
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
- Ski goggles.
- Sunscreen and lip protection.
- Earplugs (highly recommended for mountain huts).
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Headlamp.
- Pocket knife.
- Water bottle.
- Thermos (around 0.5L recommended).
- Crocs or hut footwear.
Ski Touring Equipment
- Ski touring skis, telemark skis, or splitboard with appropriate bindings.
- Ski touring boots.
- Skins.
- Ski poles.
- Helmet.
- Avalanche beacon.
- Shovel.
- Probe.
- Boot crampons.
- Ice axe.
- Ski crampons (mandatory, especially in spring conditions).
- Harness.
- 2 locking carabiners.
FAQs
What level of skier is required for the Frey Hut ski trip?
This trip is designed for intermediate to advanced and expert backcountry skiers who are comfortable skiing off-piste terrain and touring in mountainous environments.
Do I need previous ski touring experience?
Yes. Participants should have experience with ski touring equipment and uphill travel techniques.
What type of terrain can we ski at Frey Hut?
The Frey cirque offers a wide range of terrain, including open bowls, powder slopes, valleys, and steep couloirs depending on conditions.
Is the itinerary fixed?
No. The guide adapts each day according to weather, snow conditions, and the group’s experience.
Can equipment be rented?
Ski touring equipment rental is not included but may be available upon request.
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 this trip
Emma
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
Ryan
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!
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