Ski touring Refugio Frey, Bariloche / Argentina


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August – October

Ski touring around Refugio Frey in Bariloche is a must on a ski trip down to Argentina!

The hut is legendary and the ambiance is great! Not to talk about the many skiing options between Granite towers and mountain lagoons. Come enjoy a couple great Bariloche skiing days with us in Northern Patagonia.

Ski touring Itinerary

1st day: Cerro Catedral – Refugio Frey
We pick you up at your hotel in Bariloche and drive to the Cerro Cathedral ski area. A few lifts bring us to the top of the mountain where our ski touring trip starts. We will reach the Frey hut after a first nice run down to Vantitter valley and a short ascend up to the hut. There will be plenty of couloirs with fresh snow to be discovered this afternoon.
Night and dinner at the cosy Frey hut

2nd day: Refugio Frey Ski touring
All day skiing around Refugio Frey today. We will discover mountain lagoons, ski between Granit towers and make sure you try a good Mate – Tee at the end of the day.
Enjoy a dinner and night at Frey hut

3rd day: Refugio Frey – Bariloche
There is lots to ski still today before heading back down to Bariloche.


Rates per skier:

2 skiers: 1500.- USD 
4 skiers: 1300.- USD

Included in the price:
Organisation, local IVBV-IFMGA mountain guide, Transport from/to your Hotel in Bariloche, Ski pass 1st day, 2 nights at mountain hut with full board

Not included in the price:
Hotel in Bariloche, personal insurance (accident, annulation, travel etc.), drinks


Refugio Frey

skiing Bariloche Argentina Refugio Frey

Located on the shores of Toncek lagoon, with turquoise cold waters, at the foot of Frey peak in Mount Catedral. Named after Engineer Emilio Frey, a member of the Border Committee presided by Perito Moreno since 1895. He was the park administrator of the Nahuel Huapi National Park and one of the founders of Club Andino Bariloche.


How to get to Bariloche
  • Flights: Air transport is more comfortable and most widely chosen to travel from Buenos Aires to Bariloche (BRC). Flights are offered by LATAM and Aerolíneas Argentinas airlines. Flight time is about 2hrs.
  • Bus: There is a large offering of buses in Argentina, and most offer services from and to Bariloche. You can choose from among basic services, seats partially convertible into beds, fully convertible into beds or executive bed service. They all offer comfortable seats, onboard movies, drinks, breakfast, lunch or dinner during the trip. Find your bus here
  • Coming from Chile: There are buses from Puerto Montt or Osorno. This is a good website to find your bus connections.

Packing list for Refugio Frey ski touring

There are no showers in the huts but you will find running water and toilets to clean yourself.

Ski gear

  • Ski touring Skis with skins (Ski around 80mm under foot, max 90mm)
  • Ski touring boots
  • Ski poles
  • Avalanche probe, shovel and beacon 
  • Boot crampons
  • Ski crampons
  • Helmet (optional)

Personal gear

  • Backpack 30-40 Lts
  • Sleeping bag (thin, for the hut)
  • Headlamp 
  • Pocket knife or Leatherman
  • Waterbottle / Thermosbottle
  • Crocs or light weight sandals 
  • 2 pairs of skiing socks 
  • Warm skiing underwear
  • T shirt
  • Fleece
  • Insulated jacket 
  • Water proof Goretex jacket
  • Water proof Goretex pants
  • Water proof Goretex gloves with insulation or similar
  • Thin gloves
  • Warm hat
  • Buff or similar
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses with UV filter + Goggles
  • Sun screen and lipstick
  • Earplug
  • Tooth brush and paste
  • Personal toiletries and medicaments
  • Bag to keep things waterproof in your backpack
  • Camera/phone/batterie pack

Paper work

  • Valid passport/visa (with/photo copy carried separately. Also leave a copy with someone at home)
  • Cash in U.S. dollars (not smaller than 50US for a better change)
  • Bring cash in pesos (or change in US$) up to the huts for beers/wine

Change of plan

Anyone familiar with the backcountry knows to expect the unexpected and the weather is unpredictable.
Be prepared for a potential Plan B if the conditions/ weather change.


About Bariloche

Located in Argentina’s Río Negro province, Bariloche is a city surrounded by thousand-year-old forests, mountains covered in snow and crystal clear lakes. It’s quintessentially Patagonian and located within the Nahuel Huapi National Park. A city that is home to excellence and surrounded by some of the country’s most beautiful natural spots.


Wonderful private house in Bariloche

Are you looking for the perfect spot to relax before and after the tour? We offer a beautiful house in the forest and near the lake. You can book it trough Airbnb or directly with us:


Book Pataagoniatiptop


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Hut to Hut trekking Bariloche, Patagonia

Dates: December – April; pick your date

Impressive 4-day trekking traverse trough Bariloche’s nicest mountain ridges and mountain valleys, in the heart of Nahuel Huapi National park, in North Patagonia.
On the shore of lake Nahuel Huapi, the city of Bariloche is the entrance door to the Patagonian Lake District. While crossing forests and valleys, we will appreciate beautiful views of the different lakes and volcanoes in the area.

For this trip, we’ll stay at the mountain huts Frey, San Martin and Italia. Although there are no showers, there are a lot of beautiful Lagunas to take a swim each day. As for each day meals, we will carry our lunches in our backpacks but enjoy dinner and breakfast from the huts.

view over the lakes in Bariloche

Highlights:
  • The fantastic atmosphere in the Argentinean refuges. People are very welcoming, friendly, relaxed and open minded. Sometimes they even play music.
  • The chance to admire some breathtaking views along the way. One of the most beautiful is the one of the Nahuel Huapi from Mount Lopez and Cerro Tronador, an old sleeping volcano.
  • Our last stop in Colonia Suiza. This beautiful village is preserved like it was 150 years ago in Switzerland.

Hiking Itinerary trekking Bariloche:

Arrival Day:
Meet your UIMLA hiking guide in  Bariloche and enjoy a dinner together.
Night at a hotel in Bariloche (D)

Day 1 – Cerro Catedral – Refugio Frey (1700m)
Our trekking starts at the feet of the ski area Cerro Catedral, one of the most known ski areas in South America. We’ll follow the “picada del Frey” up to Refugio Frey (1700 m) next to the Toncek Laguna.
It’s surrounded by nice granite towers which are famous for rock climbing.
Night at Refugio Frey (B,L,D)

  • Total ascent: 750 m / Distance: 12km

Day 2 – Refugio Frey – Refugio San Martin (1650 m)
We walk up to la arrest del Cerro in-between the granite towers (los Catedrales) and down to Rucaco valley. After reaching Brecha Negra pass it’s only an hour down to Refugio and Laguna San Martin.
Night at the beautiful and new Refugio San Martin (B/L/D)

  • Total ascent: 743 m / Total descent: 917 m /  Distance: 9.5 km

Day 3 – Refugio San Martin – Refugio Italia (1650 m)
A technical trail brings us up to Cerro Navidad. From here we descent the Goyes valley for a bit an take a short ascend up on the Laguna Negra trail to the Refugio Italia.
Night at Refugio Italia (B/L/D)

  • Total ascent: 850 m /  Total descent: 840 m / Distance: 10 km

Day 4 – Refugio Italia – Refugio Cerro Lopez – Bariloche
Last trekking day with great views over the Nahuel Huapi Lake. We leave the Laguna Negra behind us and climb up to Cerro Baileys on an easy trail.
On our way down to Bariloche we will stop at Refugio Lopez (1670 m) for a drink. After a refreshing beer in Colonia Suiza we take the bus back to the Hotel in Bariloche.
Night at Hotel in Bariloche (B,L,D)

  • Total ascent: 750m / Total descent: 1100m / Distance: 16km

Prices:

2-3 guests: 1700.- USD / guest
4 guests: 1500.- USD / guest

Included in the price: Organisation, local UIMLA-mountain leader guiding for 4 days, 3 nights in mountain huts with half board, pick nick lunches, transportation from Bariloche airport to Bariloche airport or town

Not included in the price: First and last night at Hotel in Bariloche, Drinks, personal insurances, equipment 


Personal requirements

You need to be in good physical shape for this trip. You should be able to walk around 6hrs each day with your backpack with a sleeping bag, some extra cloth and your lunch/drink.


Area map with the 4 mountain huts and Bariloche:

Map with the 4 mountain huts in Bariloche that we use for our trekking bariloche tour, Patagonia

1. Hiking start at Cerro Catedral

2. Refugio Frey

3. Refugio San Martin/Jacob

4. Refugio Italia / Laguna Negra

5. Refugio Lopez

6. Bariloche with the Bus terminal and the airport


Your perfect private house in Bariloche – Casa Verde Paraiso

If you’re looking for a house before and after the tour to relax in Bariloche and explore the area, here is a wonderful option. You can book it directly trough Airbnb or book with us.


Make a booking with Patagoniatiptop

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