https://outthereoutdoors.com/skiing-in-the-andes-portillo-patagonia/
Hurlen Patano and McBurney used a travel planning service called Kimkim, which set them up with in-country travel agents that are vetted and use Kimkim’s platform for communication. It fit their budget, which wasn’t extreme, and took all the stress out of trip planning in a foreign country. The travel agency planned all the transport, their connecting flights, and they never wasted a second in getting to the ski hill or getting stressed wondering if they were on the right path.
They also worked with a company called Responsible Travel, which partnered them with an in-country Chilean guide who catered to their travel wants. Swimming? In winter? Sure, said the guide, and jumped in with them. They got an inside look at the local farmers’ market and food scene, and were able to communicate the want for an entry-level hike in Patagonia. Their guide hit the mark every time.
The pair would also recommend finding a private van and a good driver for the trip from Santiago up into the mountains. While a bit more costly, they were able to get on the snow and ski for two hours on their first day while other skiers in shared vans had to stop for pick-ups all along the mountain.
At Ski Portillo, it was important to pack your bag strategically before check-in so you could ski the same day you arrived. Hurlen Patano had her ski bag packing down to a science.
McBurney used a service called Powder Quest in Argentina to schedule a tour that included six days of skiing with local guides. They visited three lift-served resorts, showed the group their favorite side-country ski spots, and took care of ordering food at each meal for a great experience.
Ghezzi’s best travel tips are to make sure you have all the required paperwork to drive across the border if you plan on renting a vehicle. He used a rental company called Wicked South America. He also recommends asking about phone charging options or packing a portable charger, downloading maps to access offline before you go (Google Maps, HERE WeGo, or Maps.me), packing Ziploc bags for snacks on the mountain, and bringing a 10-foot extension cord with three outlets to charge multiple electronics while resting. (Lisa Laughlin)
