El FILETE
August 8 - 15
Explore the iconic backcountry of Nevados de Chillán with Chilean freeride legend Chopo Díaz and Silverton Mountain guide Zach Ulmer. Chopo grew up ripping these mountains before rising to the top of the international freeride scene, while Zach brings deep experience guiding extreme terrain in Colorado’s most serious mountains. This trip is all about the people and the place. Expect classic lines, lift-assisted touring, hot springs, high-mountain huts, authentic asados, incredible food, and cozy lodging.
certified guides
-
Chopo Diaz
ANGM Chile Mountain Guide
Chopo was born into Chilean ski culture, the son of the founder of ENISSCHAG, the Chilean national ski instructors certification body. Chopo began teaching straight out of school before logging 16 consecutive winters across Europe and North America. An ISIA Level III instructor (ENISSCHAG’s highest level), ANGM-certified Mountain Guide, and Wilderness First Responder, he pairs elite technical credentials with global experience. A former Freeskiing World Tour standout - 3rd overall IFSA, Snowbird podium, and two-time Swatch Skiers Cup invitee (the only South American invited), he now focuses on serious Andean expeditions and high-altitude descents, including summits like Huascarán Sur (22,211 ft) and Chopicalqui (20,846 ft). -
Zach Ulmer
Silverton Mountain Guide
Zach is a seasoned Silverton Mountain guide with four years experience operating in serious, avalanche-prone terrain and three years on patrol at Loveland Ski Area. Holding his Avalanche Pro 1 and Wilderness EMT certifications, he brings disciplined risk management, strong medical training, and a calm, professional presence to every objective. After skiing with local legends at Nevados de Chillán last season, Zach fell hard for the volcanoes and wild Andean terrain - he returns this season with a genuine connection to the mountains, people and culture of Chile.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Trip Length: 8 days (6 ski days, 2 travel days)
Group Size: 6 guests · 2 guides · 1 full-time trip coordinator
Guides: 1 local Chilean ANGM guide + 1 Silverton Mountain guide
Terrain: 5 days lift-assisted touring at Nevados de Chillán · 1 day remote touring (Cerro Las Cabras)
Lodging: 7 nights at Roble Viejo
Transportation: 4x4 Sprinter vans on demand + dedicated 4x4 support vehicle
Ability (Downhill): Confident in steep, consequential terrain
Ability (Uphill): Strong, athletic pace on long, back-to-back touring days
ITINERARY
-
Arrive to Santiago early in the morning and take a domestic flight just over 1 hour to Concepcion where you’re picked up in a Sprinter Van for the 2hr 20min drive into the Andes. You’re greeted at Roble Viejo with a BIG TIME ASADO. Meet your guides, check your gear and sleep tight. Tomorrow’s going to be epic…
-
Use the lifts at Nevados de Chillan to gain nearly 3,000 vertical feet where you start your tour to the top of the active volcano high above the resort. Ski & ride down to Garganta del Diablo, a high mountain backcountry hut, where you’re met with a smorgasbord of local meats, cheeses, bread and fruit. Ski down at sunset with the entire crew and go to dinner at Las Bravas.
-
Start your tour from the top of the resort and climb roughly 2,500 ft. to the top of Volcan Chillan Viejo. Soak in the views from 10,430 ft. into Argentina and the volcanoes to the south before you descend 3,600 ft. to Aguas Calientes, the "hottest hot springs in South America”. Today, you deserve dinner at the best restaurant in town - Olivas.
-
Divert from the main road and go deep into the magical forest of Shangrila where you start your tour to the high alpine of Cerro Las Cabras. Steep chutes and remote powder stashes await. Don’t expect to see anybody else out here - this zone is a true hidden gem. Have dinner at Chill-In, widely considered by locals and travelers as the best food in town.
-
Disappear from civilization from the summit of Cerro Pirigallo, adjacent to the resort, into “The Beautiful Valley”, an endless bowl with a million options. End your day with an exhilarating descent down the steepest face next to the resort called Los Dedos. You’ll want to apres immediately at the resort while the adrenaline is still pulsing through your veins. Share micheladas with locals as the sunset paints peaks with orange and pink hues.
-
It all leads up this - Diguillin Libre is the baddest zone around. Just a short tour, hike and traverse outside the resort, you’ll descend endless spines that will make you feel more alive than ever before. Weather and conditions dependent, there’s always a Plan B, but let’s hope you get the chance to conquer these dreamy lines.
-
We don’t plan down days and keep the schedule open to adjustment depending on weather and conditions. If we weren’t able to achieve previous days’ goals, this is the day to make it up. If the week’s been stellar and we’ve hit all the hot spots, we take over the resort as a team and gang ski or ride its insane sidecountry. Bring your downhill gear - you’ll want to be able to send it! Tonight is your last night in paradise. Enjoy a private dinner at Bagual with a bonfire before we open it up to the public for an evening with Tucuquere, the greatest band in the land…
-
You’ve got till 12:20pm to enjoy the town and taker ‘er easy. We’ve organized a private breakfast at the sweetest cafe/bakery in South America, Dulce Montaña. Arrive to the Concepcion airport for your 4:47pm flight to Santiago where you’ll connect with your international flight home.
LOGISTICS
Transportation
4x4 Sprinter Van+ 4x4 pickup truck support vehicle
Distances
Santiago to Concepcion: 313 miles / ~1 hour flight
Concepcion to Las Trancas: 101 miles / ~2 hour drive
Las Trancas to Nevados de Chillan: 5 miles / ~10 min drive
Elevation
Las Trancas: ~4,000 ft.
Nevados de Chillan (base): ~5,000 ft.
Nevados de Chillan (top lift): ~8,000 ft.
Volcan Chillan Nuevo/Viejo: ~10,400 ft.
accomodations
Frequently Asked Questions
-
USD $5,300
-
Everything is included except for a few dinners at the best restaurants in town. Ski The Andes provides transportation, lodging, guides, lift tickets, an authentic asado upon arrival, a high mountain hut smorgasbord your first day on the mountain, a private dinner, bonfire and band on your last night, a private brunch on your last morning, breakfast at your lodge every morning and a bag lunch every ski/ride day.
-
You should bring your own skis or board, touring setup or splitboard, beacon, shovel, probe and backpack with ski/board carry. Each guest must be intimately familiar with their own avalanche safety gear and well practiced with their touring/splitboarding equipment. If you don’t have your own gear, this trip isn’t for you.
-
We’re vetting every application to make sure that this group of 6 guests are physically fit and prepared to move uphill and downhill at an athletic pace. Skiers/riders should be experts in touring, splitboarding and downhill skiing/riding, comfortable with technical ascents/descents and consequential terrain.
-
We’re not for the masses. This outfit was designed to help high level athletes ski and ride the sickest terrain in South America, as safely as possible. We’ve selected the best, most experienced guides who grew up slaying these mountains and who represent the culture with honor and pride.