Argentina - Catedral Alta Patagonia Ski Resort

Argentina

Catedral Alta Patagonia Ski Resort

Mountain Statistics

Summit Elevation: 7,837'
Base Elevation: 3,380'
Total Vertical: 3,512'
Number Of Lifts: 39
Skiable Acres: 1,400+
Annual Snowfall: 240 inches

Overview

Experience Level: Beginner through Expert
Duration: 10 days
Skiers: 12
Guides: 2
Land Cost: $3500

Expedition Code

AGBS-10-09030912

Dates

Sept 3 - Sept 12, 2010

Expedition Goals

Catedral Alta Patagonia is a full service ski resort and a world class ski area. Catedral is located 12 miles from the vibrant city of San Carlos de Bariloche. In addition to skiing there are numerous adventures to be found in and around the city of San Carlos de Bariloche and the Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Prerequisites

Participation in this expedition requires some prior skiing or snowboarding experience. Our goals are to have fun on many levels on a great mountain, and all levels of experience are welcome. You must have a basic working knowledge of the techniques for staying warm and dry in a winter environment, and a great motivation to participate in fun filled activities. For your maximum enjoyment, and for reasons of safety, you must arrive for this expedition in reasonable athletic condition.

Itinerary

Day 1 � Arrive in Argentina; transfer from airport; hotel check-in; administration & logistics. Arrive in San Carlos de Bariloche (2,772�), where an Expedition-Logistics guide will be waiting to greet you. We load our gear into vans for the 10 minute drive to the resort village of San Carlos de Bariloche. After a gear inventory and hotel check-in, take some time to relax or explore the city. This evening, get to know your guides and teammates at the welcome dinner and expedition briefing.

Day 2 � Early wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. This morning we deal with ski rentals and hit the slopes. Your Expedition-Logistics guides are professional ski patrollers � highly trained in the fields of emergency medical care and mountain rescue � and will be keeping a close eye out for team members who might be dealing with altitude issues. Those team members still feeling a little queasy can opt to spend the rest of the day exploring the town of Bariloche and acclimatizing. Bariloche is only 12 miles from the mountain, and offers all the amenities of a world-class ski resort.

Day 3 � Casual wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. After breakfast we hit the slopes. With over 3,500 vertical feet, 1,400 acres of lift accesses ski terrain, and over 1,400 acres of off piste terrain, Catedral Alta Patagonia is Bariloche�s premier ski destination. This evening we explore Bariloche's extensive nighttime offerings.

Day 4 � Casual wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. Today is another great day to explore Catedral Alta Patagonia. Sixty percent of the mountain is intermediate to expert, 25-percent is beginner, and the remaining 15-percent is true expert�s only skiing and riding, so there's truly something for everyone. In the evening, we gather at the Map Room for dinner and drinks before checking out the local clubs and pubs.

Day 5 � Casual wake-up; full ski day on-piste; evening activities. This morning we split up into two groups; one will tackle the steeps and bumps, while the other subdues the cruisers. This evening we visit the Piedras Blancas Winter Complex at the top of Cerro Otto, where we dine at the rotating restaurant.

Day 6 � Casual wake-up; full day on- and off-piste; evening activities. Today we will once again split up into two groups, with one exploring Catedral's backcountry offerings, and the other keeping it mellow inside the ropes. After dinner this evening, we go for round two of Bariloche's pubs and clubs.

Day 7 � Casual wake-up; rest day at Centro de Ski Nordico; evening activities. This morning after breakfast we make the short trip to Piedras Blancas Winter Complex and the Centro de Ski Nordico, a full service Nordic ski center just outside of Bariloche�s downtown, where we give out tired muscles a welcome break. Piedras Blancas offers everything from bobsledding to snowmobiling, and miles of Nordic ski trails. This evening we dine at El Boliche de Alberto, known for the best cuts of meat in all of Argentina.

Day 8 � Casual wake-up; full day off-piste skiing; evening celebration. Today we'll ski the backcountry using a snowcat to get around to the various powder stashes. In the evening, our legs burning and our faces sore from smiling so much, we return to our hotel to clean up and prepare for another full filled night on the town.

Day 9 � Casual wake-up; full day on-piste; evening celebration. After breakfast we have the opportunity to get in one more day on the slopes before we bid farewell to Catedral Alta Patagonia and Bariloche. This evening, join your teammates for a celebration dinner and expedition debriefing.

Day 10 � Early wake-up; transfer to airport; return flights home.

Note on Itinerary

Although our guides take reasonable measures to adhere to the itinerary, it is subject to change due to variables including, but not limited to, weather and ski conditions, the condition and ability of the team, local and US government restrictions, airline changes or cancellations, other variables outside the control of Expedition-Logistics, blah, blah, blah.

Land Cost

Land Cost Includes
Professional U.S. and local guides, in-country ground and air transportation, all overnight accommodations, all scheduled meals, ski passes, and group safety equipment (avalanche beacons, probes, shovels, etc.).

Land Cost Does Not Include
International roundtrip airfare, personal equipment (see Personal Equipment Checklist for more information), trip cancellation insurance, medical or evacuation insurance, excess baggage fees or airport taxes, expenses incurred as a result of inclement weather or other conditions of nature, government action, illness, flight delays, or any other delays beyond the control of Expedition-Logistics, including unscheduled hotel nights and meals, incidental personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.), alcoholic beverages, or gratuities to guides and staff.

Additional Information

See our Terms & Conditions for more. If you have questions regarding this expedition or your suitability for it, contact us at climb@expedition-logistics.com; please include your telephone number and the best time to call.