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Frey Hut Tours

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Price p/p Price is per person based on 3-day tour with group of 4+. Cheaper for 4 people
Base/invoice currency is USD inc tax
*displayed price may vary slightly due exchange rate fluctuations
USD 1,250

FREY HUT SKI TOURING, BARILOCHE
3 or 4 Day Customizable Itinerary

Location: South America | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Price p/p Price is per person based on 3-day tour with group of 4+. Cheaper for 4 people
Base/invoice currency is USD inc tax
*displayed price may vary slightly due exchange rate fluctuations
USD 1,250
This 3 or 4-day customizable tour offers some classic ski touring around Cerro Catedral ski resort combined with 2 or 3 nights staying at Frey Hut (one of Argentina's best ski huts). PRIVATE GROUPS of 2 - 6 guests or a couple of group dates
View inclusions & Add-ons
Click here for rates, dates & availability
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
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Frey Hut Ski Touring Trips

Refugio Frey is renowned as one of the best ski huts in Argentina! The setting is magical: a cirque of golden granite spires and the couloirs in between the towers come down to merge at a frozen lagoon. Frey Hut sits beside the lake in the peaceful wilderness of Nahuel Huapi National Park. The cirque offers all aspects of 5 star alpine touring terrain for every backcountry skier.

The possibilities are endless! Determined by skiers’ preference and the weather conditions, your mountain guide can show you nice open mellow bowls, steep chutes from 30-50 degrees, intermediate-level chutes, and valleys for nice daily ski tours. One highlight for advanced backcountry skiers is the Zebra Couloirs which are chutes of about 2,000 continuous vertical feet at 30-40 degrees. If weather does not cooperate or there is low visibility, there is tree skiing and the cozy hut to come back to.

At the end of a beautiful day of backcountry skiing, Frey Hut offers excellent Malbec wines, beer on tap from local microbreweries, homemade pasta, pizza, and fondue!

The Frey mountain hut ski touring zones is pretty much where we grew up and learned to love the mountains. Andescross have spent many years up there; rock climbing the granite towers in the summer and skiing the chutes in between them in the winter. They've been sharing great experiences with their friends and clients for many years. It is a place to fall in love with!

Ability & Fitness

Skiers & split-boarders should be strong intermediate to advanced backcountry riders. It goes without saying that you should have a good level of fitness as this tour is fully based on ski touring. 

Group Type

These tours are for PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY consisting of 2 - 6 guests in a group. Unfortunately you CANNOT join a group as a solo traveler.

The ideal maximum group size for this trip 6 guests with 1 guide but it is possible to run with up to 8 guests and 2 guides (lead & tail guide)..

Trip Customization

The tour outlined here provides a guide as to what can be done and for what price and provides the basis for the itinerary, however elements such as the ultimate tour duration, destinations and add-on services can be customized to suit your groups needs. Inquire to discuss your requirements >>.

Gear List

  • Backpack 35-42 lts
  • Sleeping bag ideal 600/700 grams of down fill
  • 2 pairs of synthetic ski socks (salomon or similar)
  • Quick dry pants with Schoeller material (North Face, Mammut or similar)
  • Merino wool long underwear
  • Water proof Goretex pants
  • T shirt- Capilene or merino wool ideal
  • Thin fleece, like Patagonia R1 or similar with a hood ideal
  • Mid fleece layer or synthetic jacket with some primaloft insulation
  • Down jacket or warm puffy
  • Water proof Goretex jacket
  • Thin fleece gloves for skinning
  • Thick ski gloves
  • Warm hat, sun hat
  • Sunglasses with UV filter +
  • Goggles
  • Sun screen and lipstick!
  • Iphone/ Ipod music player- optional
  • Earplugs… very recommended (for mountain huts, windy days in tents)
  • Tooth brush and paste
  • Headlamp (Petzl Tikka plus, Black diamond or similar)
  • Pocket knife
  • Waterbottle Nalgene or similar
  • Thermos 0.5 liters ideal for warm drinks
  • Toilet paper – IMPORTANT 🙂
  • Helmet
  • Telemark, split board or ski touring skis and bindings
  • Ski, snowboard or telemark boots
  • Skins
  • Shovel, beacon and probe
  • Boot crampons for ski touring
  • Ski crampons mandatory especially in the spring
  • Ski poles

Sample Itinerary

The following 8-day itinerary may be customized to suit your group and might include ski touring days in different location or off-piste ski access in resorts nearby Bariloche.

Day 1 (Transfer to Cerro Catedral & Drop Into Van Titter Valley):

From the Cerro Catedral Ski Resort you will take the Alta Patagonia Lifts to get above the tree line quickly. Skis on, and you'll skin up for less than an hour to the ridge and the border of the Nahuel Huapi National Park.  There, you’ll have excellent views of the Patagonian Lakes District before dropping into the Van Titter Valley, choosing the best aspect according to conditions and snow quality. Once in the valley, you’ll skin up to Frey Hut, drop your gear, drink some water, and get a snack. Then we can head out to enjoy the area with a mellow run in the forest, an easy tour to explore, or a nice 40 degree couloir. Night in Frey Hut with homemade pizza, fresh pasta, micro-brewed beer and/or fondue. 

Day 2 (Full Day Touring from Frey Hut):

After breakfast the group will get the skis and skins ready, and make your way across the frozen Laguna Toncek looking for the aspect that holds the good snow. It is easy to find hidden powder snow in the cirque. Your ski guide will be able to show you the variety of terrain Frey has to offer for every AT skier to get in a nice long day of fresh tracks. We’ll bring lunch with us so we can eat it while enjoying the views of the Patagonian Andes. Back down to Frey Hut for another homemade dinner. If weather doesn’t cooperate, it is nice and cozy in the hut. Enjoy a cup of tea by the fire while reading a book or chatting with other backcountry skiers who come here from all over the world. Night in Frey Hut.

Day 3 (swap Day 4 if you are on a 3-day trip):

Similar to day 2, ski what we haven’t skied yet according to conditions Night in Frey Hut.

Day 4 (Last Day):

After breakfast, you can ski one more run if you’re up to it, and then start skiing and skinning your way back to Villa Catedral. Your mountain guide will drop you off at your lodging in Bariloche. End of guiding services.

Lodging

The quoted price includes 2 or 3 nights staying at Frey Hut depending on the duration of your tour.

Frey Hut
This magnificent refugio sits in the Van Titter Valley behind Cerro Catedral Ski Resort and is the perfect base for exploring the area.

The hut is fully staffed, providing warm & cozy accommodation and is renowned as one of the best huts in Argentina.

All meals are included and the evening meals consist of homemade pizza, fresh pasta, micro-brewed beer and/or fondue.

Bariloche Hotels
The price quoted does not include any lodging in Bariloche before or after your Frey Hut tour if required.

There is a huge array of accommodation to choose from ranging from inexpensive hostels to up-market hotels and hosterias.

You will certainly find something that fits your budget. Click here to see lodging options>>

Dates, Rates, Inclusions & Add-Ons

Dates

Custom tours operate from mid July to early October each year (subject to snow/conditions).

2024 Rates

Number Days/Nights  Group 2-3  Group 4+
 3/2  1,350  1,250
 4/3  1,650  1,450
Inclusions
  • Professional UIAGM-IFMGA Mountain Guide
  • Private 4WD transportation to/from Bariloche to Cerro Catedral
  • 2 or 3-nights lodging at Frey Hut
  • All meals in the mountains (dinners included at hut nights)
Add-ons
  • Ski touring set up with skins USD $50/ day
  • Avalanche gear (shovel, beacon, probe) USD $25/day
  • Crampons, ice axe for rent USD $10 a piece/day
  • Ski touring boots for rent USD $20/day
Not Included

Andes Cross Terms & Conditions

Payments
For weekend programs full payment must accompany booking. For longer programs the deposit will be 50% when you reserve/ book your trip . Balance of payment is due 6 weeks before program starts. Full payment must accompany bookings made less than 4 weeks before the trip starts.

After Booking: Along with all relevant receipts we will send you a sample copy of our waiver which we will ask you to sign when you meet us and, if appropriate an experience questionnaire.

Booking Conditions

  1. Registration is dependent on waiver completion and you must be covered by a travel insurance.
  2. Andescross and any of its guides reserves the right to change or cancel any itinerary or service at any time due to weather, conditions or other reasons without penalty to Andescross.
  3. The participation of any person on any program is continually subject to the discretion of the program leader and Andescross. 
  4. Andescross accepts no responsibility for the actions of persons and/or companies supplying goods and/or services as part of these packages or for any extra costs that may arise from the complication or prolongation of any program for any reason.
  5. Your physician must clear any health problems that may affect your participation in any program.
  6. In the unlikely event of an emergency, participants may, depending upon program location be liable for any rescue or evacuation costs incurred either on their behalf or as a result of their actions. 

Cancellation & Refunds
Should Andescross cancel a program payment will be refunded.

Should client cancel his booking for any reason the following penalties apply

  1. If canceling most programs up to 8 weeks before program start US$ 400 per participant will be withheld.
  2. Between 8 and 6 week before program start deposit is forfeited.
  3. Cancellation less than 6 weeks before program start and during program results in loss of entire amount paid. 

Cancellations during the activities
The program can be modified and changed anytime if the guide decides that fitness level, weather or other dangers are involved in the original plan. He has the right to modify the itinerary without previous communication to clients

About weather conditions
It is a fact that the weather in Patagonia and the mountains in general is unpredictable, implying situations where the weather can change in few hours forcing the guide to cancel the activity for safety reasons.

Strong winds can be an impediment to access some points where the tunnel shape of the valley makes the wind pickup speed and sometimes is almost impossible to keep moving forward, so in cases like this, or any other meteorological fact, the guide in charge can turn around and change the plan without previous notification.

About physical condition of the client
Mountaineering, trekking, ascents, expeditions, biking, climbing, kayaking are activities of great physical and psychic demand. Bad weather and strong winds demand more energy than normal, so every participant has to be aware of this and be sure his fitness level is according to the trip that they book.

Be aware that for most of the programs you will have to deal with nice open hiking / biking trails. For mountaineering trips you will transit glacier and moraines terrain, scree slopes and other kind of terrain that is physical and psychologically demanding and can cause a problem if participant is not experienced enough.

In case a participant’s physical/ psychic condition is below the average of the group/ program, or does not reach the level required, the guide will have the rights to cancel the activity for the participant. This participant will abandon expedition and will be taken safely back to civilization.

IN NONE OF THESE CASES, WILL THERE BE A REFUND OF THE AMOUNT PAID FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP

ALL EXTRA EXPENSES OF HOTELS, EXTRA GUIDE, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS OR OTHER COST GENERATED BY THIS EXTRA WILL BE COVERED BY THE CLIENT.

Limitations of liability
n many cases, suppliers of tour services are independent contractors to Andescross, not its employees. For example, we use independent ground operators, tour guides, hotels, transportation companies, drivers, and other suppliers. Because we do not own, operate, manage, control, or supervise these entities, we cannot be liable for any acts or omissions, including any negligence, gross negligence, or reckless or willful acts, on their part. Andescross, its owners, agents, directors, shareholders, and employees assume no responsibility for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or death to person or property arising from the negligent or willful act or failure to act of any person who is to or does provide goods or services for this trip or for the action or inaction of any other third party. Without limitation, Andescross is not responsible for acts of God, equipment failures, vehicle accidents, illness from food or otherwise, detention, assaults, theft or criminal activity, annoyance, delays, quarantine, strikes, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the passengers. The right is reserved to substitute hotels, alter the itinerary, and reverse the order of places to be visited. You will be informed of any necessary changes in a timely fashion.

On advancement of deposit to Andescross, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. These are partial conditions.

You will need to accept these terms and conditions prior to being accepted for a tour