International (Europe/Japan/Southern Hemisphere) Patagonia Argentina August 2019

[pliny the elder]

We went to Argentina for three weeks in August. Our primary mission was to bring performance based boot fitting to the race and ski instruction community. And to ski and eat carne rojo and drink vino tinto. We flew into Bariloche from Buenos Aires and skied for three days in impenetrable fog at Cerro Catedral.It was incredibly disorienting. Above tree line, unfamiliar terrain and zero visibility. Everyone assured us it was very beautiful, but we didn't see anything, at times you couldn't see the chair in front of you.

 

[pliny the elder]

We then drove north to San Martin de los Andes. We had plans to ski Cerro Bayo, but a road closure due to a major landslide near Villa Angostura changed our plans and we drove across the steppes to San Martin. We saw guanacos, wild horses, deer and condors
along with incredible scenery.

 

[pliny the elder]

San Martin de los Andes is a charming town on the shore of a beautiful lake. There is a strong European influence in the food and architecture. The nearby ski area Chapelco, has a low key small town feel to it, very friendly, and enough terrain for three or four days of skiing.

 

[pliny the elder]

The gondola cars will be quite familiar to anyone who rode the old Silver Queen Gondola at Aspen Mt. It wasn't a question of have you been in this car but how many times.

 

[pliny the elder]

After a few days in San Martin de los Andes it was time to return to Bariloche for another week. The landslide had been cleared which meant La Ruta de Siete Lagos was open. The "Route of the Seven Lakes" between San Martin and Bariloche is one of the most beautiful drives we have ever done. Understandably famous it is on par with the Icefields Parkway, US 1 on the California coast or any other great road you can name. Because it is almost all National Park there is almost no development.

 

[AmyPJ]

Super cool! S. America is on my bucket list. Skiing in August would be amazing.

 

[pliny the elder]

Back at Cerro Catedral, we had a couple of days of visibility. It was true, it's quite beautiful.

 

[pliny the elder]

The area was closed the next two days due to high winds. But then we were rewarded with a 30cm powder day.

 

[pliny the elder]

The food was amazing as well, assuming you are a carnivore who likes Malbec.

 

[pliny the elder]

After the powder day we figured it was perfect timing for cat skiing at Baguales. It was a 45 drive in a van along Lago Guitterez to a dirt road where we were met by two four wheel drive trucks, for another twenty kilometers into the back country with several river crossings. Once the road became too snowpacked we were met with a tracked vehicle and some snowmobiles that took us the rest of the way to the lodge. The terrain was awesome and the staff and guides were top notch. Unfortunately extremely high winds create a breakable crust that combined with extremely low visibility, made for less than optimal conditions.

 

[luliski]

yum

 

[pliny the elder]

A couple of more days at Cerro Catedral, a few more steaks, and it was time to return to the US. One of the best parts of the trip was the Argentinian people themselves. Their hospitality was exceptional and we were made to feel welcome everywhere we went despite our less than stellar espanol. While we lost a couple of days to the weather it was an incredible trip and we look forward to next year.

 

[karlo]

View attachment 79985 View attachment 79984 View attachment 79983 View attachment 79977 View attachment 79978 View attachment 79979 View attachment 79980 View attachment 79981 View attachment 79982 View attachment 79984 View attachment 79983 The food was amazing as well, assuming you are a carnivore who likes Malbec.

That’s in town, in Bariloche?

 

[pliny the elder]

That’s in town, in Bariloche?

The food pictures are from several places, the restaurant Rincon Patagonico is in Bariloche, and is highly recommended.


pliny the elder

 

[Doug Briggs]

View attachment 79994 View attachment 79993 View attachment 79992 A couple of more days at Cerro Catedral, a few more steaks, and it was time to return to the US. One of the best parts of the trip was the Argentinian people themselves. Their hospitality was exceptional and we were made to feel welcome everywhere we went despite our less than stellar espanol. While we lost a couple of days to the weather it was an incredible trip and we look forward to next year.

I spent three weeks training and racing at Cerro Catedral when I was 18. I can heartily agree that the Argentinians are wonderful. The food was fantastic and I've never had more wonderful beef.

Thanks for bringing back the memories. Your trip looks like it was a blast.