Chile · Backcountry · 8 days
Chile Freeride Progression Camp
5.0 on Google · 62 reviewsUpdated November 2026
- Duration
- 8 days
- 7 nights
- Dates
- Sep 12 – 19
- 1 departure
- Group
- 3–6 guests
- Destinations
- Farellones, Nevados de Chillán
- Chile
- Level
- Intermediate to advanced
- Fly in
- Santiago (SCL)
Overview
Eight days of freeride coaching with Erika Vikander, pro freeride snowboarder, and Niki Salençon, pro freeskier and Freeride World Tour competitor, and Molly Armanino, Freeride World Tour skier. Work on technique, confidence, jumps and off-piste skills in the Tres Valles above Santiago, then take them to the volcanic sidecountry of Nevados de Chillán, with a mountain guide on every sidecountry and backcountry day. One fixed departure, during Fiestas Patrias week in September.
Good to know
Coaching Focus
Guests rotate between both coaches: Erika leads snowboard technique and Niki ski technique, with a shared progression plan. It is about progression and fun, not competition.
- Technique: stance, edge control, speed management and steeps, for ski or snowboard
- Confidence: line choice, terrain reading and decisions in variable snow
- Jumps: takeoff and landing mechanics with a safe progression
- Off-piste: moving efficiently and safely beyond the boundary
Your Coaches
- Erika Vikander · Pro freeride snowboarder and coach, known for turning complex movements into clear cues.
- Niki Salençon · Freeride World Tour competitor and Esnativa co-founder, with over a decade of freeskiing in the Andes.
- Molly Armanino · Freeride World Tour skier and coach.
- Mountain guide · Manages terrain, avalanche hazard and group safety on every sidecountry and backcountry day.
Camp Week: Fiestas Patrias
The camp runs during Fiestas Patrias, Chile's national celebration around September 18: cueca, empanadas, asados and fondas in every town. Ski hard by day and celebrate like a Chilean by night.
Itinerary
Each day adapts to weather, snowpack and terrain access.
Base 1 · Days 1–4
Farellones
Day 1 – Arrival in Santiago & Welcome to the Andes
Arrive at Santiago International Airport (SCL), where your transfer to the mountain village of Farellones (about 1.5 hours) is included. Settle into the lodge, your base for the next four nights in the heart of the Tres Valles. Depending on arrival time, warm-up laps in the afternoon, then a welcome dinner with Erika, Niki and the team.
Day 2 – La Parva: Coaching Day
First full coaching day at La Parva, known for some of the best on- and off-piste terrain in South America. Morning sessions on technique and stance, afternoon on terrain reading and line choice. Dinner back at the lodge.
Day 3 – El Colorado: Jumps & Freeride Flow
Coaching at El Colorado, with diverse terrain and natural features. Focus on jump progression, speed management and linking features in variable snow, with sidecountry laps if conditions allow.
Day 4 – Valle Nevado: Big Terrain
Coaching day at Valle Nevado, Chile’s largest resort, with high-altitude bowls and the full scale of the interconnected Tres Valles. Sidecountry and off-piste sessions with your certified guide, conditions permitting.
Base 2 · Days 5–8
Nevados de Chillán
Day 5 – Cultural & Culinary Road Trip to Chillán
Scenic road trip south with the group, with cultural and culinary stops along the way to Roble Viejo Lodge in Las Trancas, steps from Nevados de Chillán. Alternatively, fly Santiago to Concepción (booked separately) and transfer to Las Trancas.
Day 6 – Nevados de Chillán: Volcanic Sidecountry
Coaching day at Nevados de Chillán, with volcanic terrain, expansive sidecountry and long natural descents. Backcountry objectives with your certified guide when conditions allow, and the option to relax in the natural hot springs afterwards.
Day 7 – Final Day at Nevados de Chillán
Last day of coaching at Nevados de Chillán, putting the week’s progression together on real terrain. In the evening, we head out together for a Chilean asado in Las Trancas (not included), right in the middle of Fiestas Patrias.
Day 8 – Departure
Transfer to Carriel Sur International Airport (CCP) near Concepción for your departure. Plan flights after 8:00 PM to allow comfortable travel time from the mountains.
What's included
- Coaching and on-mountain hosting with Erika, Niki, Molly and the Esnativa team
- A mountain guide on all sidecountry and backcountry days
- 7 nights accommodation (4 in Farellones + 3 in Las Trancas)
- All meals at the lodge in Farellones on days 1–4
- Airport transfer on arrival (SCL → Farellones) and all ground transport between destinations
- 24/7 on-trip support
Not included
- International flights, and the optional flight Santiago → Concepción on Day 5
- Daily lift tickets (purchased separately at each resort)
- Ski, snowboard and backcountry gear rental (beacon, shovel, probe, touring or splitboard setup; available with advance notice)
- Meals in Las Trancas on days 5–7 (about USD 25–35 per dinner)
- Travel insurance
Where you stay
Nights 1–4, Farellones
mountain lodge, ski-in/ski-out to La Parva, El Colorado and Valle Nevado
Nights 5–7, Las Trancas
Roble Viejo Lodge, steps from Nevados de Chillán's volcanic sidecountry and hot springs
Shared double rooms as standard; private room upgrade on request
Getting there
ARRIVAL
SCL — Santiago International AirportTransfer to Farellones included.
DEPARTURE
CCP — Concepción AirportTransfer from Las Trancas on Day 8. Plan flights after 8:00 PM.
What guests say
5.0 · 62 reviews on Google · Read all reviews
“Niki helped each person progress in their skiing throughout the entire week, and at the end got us all to ski a couloir, which almost all of us had never done before!”
“Everything was perfect from accommodations support, transportation, the ski program and guiding… One of the best experiences I have ever had, and that is saying something as I have been ski vacationing and backcountry skiing/mountaineering for 50 years!”
“The Esnativa team members were phenomenal in every way possible! Thank you to Hannah, Matti, and Jose for making every slope that we skied together in the Andes mountain range truly memorable.”
Chile Freeride Progression Camp 2027 dates
8 days · Pick a week, then inquire
September 2027
Need other dates or a private group? Ask us about private dates · Prices per person.
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5.0 on Google · 62 reviews · From USD 4,100 per person
Chile Freeride Progression Camp FAQ
Still have a question?
Our team in Santiago and Bariloche replies within 24 hours.
Are lift tickets included in the freeride camp?
No. Daily lift tickets are purchased separately at each resort.
Do I need backcountry experience for the freeride camp?
Basic experience, yes: beacon use, avalanche rescue basics and moving in off-piste terrain. You don't need to be an expert, but you need to have been there before. A certified guide manages safety on every sidecountry and backcountry day.
Who coaches the Chile Freeride Progression Camp?
Erika Vikander, professional freeride snowboarder; Niki Salençon, Freeride World Tour competitor and Esnativa co-founder; and Molly Armanino, Freeride World Tour skier. A certified local mountain guide joins every sidecountry and backcountry day.
Are transfers included in the freeride camp?
The arrival transfer from Santiago (SCL) to Farellones and all ground transport between destinations are included. The camp ends in Las Trancas with a transfer to Concepción (CCP) on Day 8; plan flights after 8:00 PM.
Which meals are included in the Chile freeride camp?
All meals at the lodge in Farellones on days 1–4 are included, including the welcome dinner. Meals in Las Trancas (days 5–7) are not included; plan on about USD 25–35 per dinner.
Where does the freeride camp take place?
4 nights in Farellones, ski-in/ski-out to La Parva, El Colorado and Valle Nevado, then 3 nights at Roble Viejo Lodge in Las Trancas, steps from Nevados de Chillán.
When is the Chile Freeride Progression Camp?
It is a fixed departure during Fiestas Patrias week in September, Chile's national celebration around September 18.
Can snowboarders join the Chile freeride camp?
Yes. Erika Vikander coaches the snowboarders, and splitboard setups can be rented with advance notice.
How do we get from Santiago to Nevados de Chillán on the freeride camp?
By road with the group on Day 5, with cultural and culinary stops along the way. If you prefer, you can fly from Santiago (SCL) to Concepción (CCP); that flight is booked separately.