Hiring a Ski Guide in Chile or Bariloche: What to Know

Part 01

Guide or instructor: which do you need?

• A ski instructor teaches technique, usually inside the resort. Great if you want to improve your skiing on the groomers.
• A mountain guide chooses terrain and manages risk off-piste and in the backcountry: avalanche conditions, route choice, rescue. Great if you want powder, sidecountry or a touring day.

Many guides also coach technique, but an instructor certification alone does not cover backcountry terrain.

Part 02

Certifications to look for

• IFMGA (UIAGM): the highest international standard for mountain guides.
• ACGM: the Chilean mountain guide association.
• AAGM: the Argentine mountain guide association.

Ask which certification your specific guide holds, not just the company. National parks such as Nahuel Huapi, where Refugio Frey sits, have their own rules for commercial guiding, so also ask whether your guide is authorized to work there.

Part 03

What it costs

Our single-day guide rates in Chile, per person, in USD (Bariloche on request):

Lift tickets are not included, and transport can be arranged on request. Prices from other operators vary, so compare what is included, not just the number.

Part 04

What a guided day looks like

Near Santiago, a typical day starts in the Tres Valles: La Parva, El Colorado or Valle Nevado. Depending on snow and wind, the guide picks lift-access sidecountry, a short tour from the top lifts, or the best in-bounds runs after a storm.

In Bariloche, the day usually starts at Cerro Catedral, with lift-access powder and sidecountry. Stronger groups can head to classic backcountry zones like the area around Refugio Frey and the Nahuel Huapi mountains.

In both places, the plan is set the night before and adjusted in the morning to the conditions.

Part 05

Questions to ask before you book

1. Which certification does my guide hold?
2. How many guests per guide? (We cap at 4.)
3. Is avalanche gear required, and can I rent it?
4. What happens if the weather is bad: reschedule, refund or an alternative plan?
5. Are lift tickets and transport included?
6. Does your insurance, and mine, cover backcountry skiing?

Part 06

Red flags

• No clear certification, or vague answers about it.
• Pressure to ski a specific objective regardless of conditions.
• No avalanche gear required for off-piste days.
• Very large groups for backcountry.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions