Bariloche Hut to Hut Ski Traverse — Frey & Jakob

Groups are kept small, with a 1:4 guide-to-guest ratio, so the guide can choose daily objectives based on the actual conditions and the energy of your group. Larger groups travel with additional guides. If your group has mixed ability levels, contact us before booking. Private groups can request exclusive dates and customized itineraries.

Both are staffed mountain huts with dormitory-style rooms, mattresses and blankets; bring an ultralight sleeping bag or a sleeping bag liner. Breakfast and dinner are prepared at the hut and included. Refugio Frey sits among granite spires at 1,700 m, and Refugio Jakob overlooks the Rucaco Valley at 1,600 m. Both are reachable only on skis or on foot.

Yes. Touring skis, splitboards, climbing skins, touring boots, ice axe, crampons, and avalanche safety equipment — beacon, shovel, and probe — can all be rented in Bariloche. Esnativa coordinates rentals in advance to guarantee availability during peak season. Contact us at the time of booking to confirm exactly what you need. Rental rates and availability vary by season, so early booking is strongly recommended for August departures.

Included: 4 nights in mountain huts on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner), a UIAGM–IFMGA certified guide for the full traverse, avalanche safety equipment if you don't bring your own, Cerro Catedral lift tickets on Days 1 and 2, daily route planning and emergency communication equipment. Not included: flights, airport transfers, the hotel in Bariloche on night 1, touring equipment rental, lunches on touring days and travel insurance, which is required and must cover mountain rescue.

Each major climbing section involves approximately 400 meters of vertical ascent, with touring days between 5 and 8 hours carrying a loaded pack. The technical crux is the high ridge crossing between Frey and Jakob on Day 4, which may require crampons and ice axe depending on snow conditions. Total accumulated vertical across the 6 days is significant — this is an expedition-style trip, not a day tour. Alpine climbing experience is not required, but comfort with crampons and ice axe on moderate terrain is strongly recommended.

The best window is late July through early September. August offers the most stable snowpack and optimal backcountry conditions in Nahuel Huapi National Park — this is peak season for ski touring in Argentine Patagonia. July can bring excellent powder but with less predictable weather windows. September transitions to spring skiing: firmer morning snow, longer daylight hours, and quieter terrain. We schedule departures across all three months to match different skiing preferences and group availability.

The traverse is designed for advanced intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers. You must be comfortable skiing variable off-piste terrain confidently, managing multi-hour touring days with a loaded 35–45L pack, and operating avalanche safety equipment independently. Previous ski touring experience is mandatory — this is not a trip to learn the basics. Slopes range from 25° to 40° and touring days run between 5 and 8 hours. Physical fitness is as important as ski ability. If you're new to ski touring, our private guiding days in Bariloche are the right starting point before attempting this traverse.

Yes. Cerro Catedral lift tickets on Days 1 and 2 are included.

Night 1 is in a hotel in Bariloche (not included; we share recommended options), nights 2 and 3 at Refugio Frey and nights 4 and 5 at Refugio Jakob.

If the high route back to Cerro Catedral isn't safe, we descend the valley trail, about 15 km through lenga forest, and transfer back to Bariloche. The guide team makes that call each morning.

We can't control weather, snowpack or access restrictions, and we are not liable for them. What we commit to is proactive communication and doing everything we can to keep you skiing the best available terrain.