El WECHUNTU
July 25 - August 01
Explore the iconic backcountry of Nevados de Chillán with Chilean freeride legend and ANGM Guide Claudia Aliaga and Silverton Mountain guide Tate Runyan. Claudia grew up ripping these mountains before rising to the top of the Chilean freeride scene, while Tate 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. This trip pairs the seriousness and legitimacy of a seasoned Silverton Mountain guide with the soul and local mastery of Chile’s freeride elite.
certified guides
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Cluadia Aliaga
ANGM Chile Ski Guide
Claudia is an ANGM Chile ski guide and instructor and the 2022 IFSA South America Women’s Freeride Champion. She holds an Avalanche Pro Level I Certification with the American Avalanche Association and earned her ISIA Ski Instructor Certification in Switzerland. She was a former member of the Chilean Alpine National Team and has has been dominating South American freestyle competitions for years. -
Tate Runyan
Silverton Mountain Guide
Tate is a seasoned Silverton Mountain guide with four years of experience operating in serious, avalanche-prone terrain. He holds his Wilderness First Responder and Avalanche Pro 1 certifications, bringing disciplined risk management and calm decision-making to every objective. Tate’s approach is professional and direct - built on precise terrain assessment and a deep respect for consequence.
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 Los Hualles
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
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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…
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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.
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Start your tour from the top of the resort and climb roughly 2,400 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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
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USD $5,300
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.