Conditions Report – Cerro Chapelco, Argentina with Freerider Sascha Geist

Featured Picture: Maximiliano Artoni | Skier: Sascha Geist

You in all probability learn the headlines or noticed the viral movies which have circulated on the web over the previous few weeks relating to South America. No, we’re not speaking about Argentina’s Copa America win. We’re speaking concerning the over-the-head, mind-blowing snow totals the Andes Mountains obtained to kick off their 2024 winter.

Whereas the final two weeks have been comparatively dry, the circumstances freeride skiers have had had been outstanding. Massive traces stay stuffed in, and it’s nonetheless early within the season. Usually, South American winters within the Andes don’t attain their peak snow totals till August. Now that the powder fever and subsequent snow pack have settled and stabilized a great majority of high-alpine journey, we wished to listen to how it’s, and the way the earlier weeks have been. FREESKIER went to the supply, and bought ahold of skier Sascha Geist. As an skilled skier and alpinist, Geist has been having one in every of his most memorable seasons in recent times —

“I dwell in San Martin de Los Andes, in northern Patagonia, an space of nice lakes and volcanoes. This season began with massive snow storms in autumn, which left an excellent base within the mountains. The previous few seasons have typically been good when it comes to snowfall, though this season began earlier and with colder temperatures all through South America. We noticed unimaginable quantities of snow, harmful at occasions.

With a lot snow and a few very moist precipitation earlier, there have been massive avalanches in uncommon areas. It took time and we needed to play it simple for a little bit, however these massive storms gave nice snowboarding as soon as the circumstances had been steady! On this chilly climate, I prefer to benefit from snowboarding the japanese faces, which get the solar within the morning. And you’ll’t all the time discover them. The place I dwell is an excellent space with nice channels and entry to many mountains.“

Geist and pals exploring close to Cerro Chapelco, Argentina

The immense snowfall in earlier weeks gave Geist a cause to discover his native resort, Cerro Chapelco. However as soon as circumstances settled and avalanche hazard declined, he headed to the backcountry, the place he spends most of his time.

“I normally choose to ski within the backcountry though I additionally benefit from the native resort, Cerro Chapelco. It has superb entry to the backcountry and close by mountains. One among my favourite areas is Las Leñas within the north. It’s a backcountry paradise, though it could actually get very windy. Due to that, it takes some time to discover ways to navigate it nicely. I additionally love the realm of the lakes Chapelco, Catedral and Cerro Bayo. All three have good surroundings, and it’s normally definitely worth the journey even when the snowboarding isn’t nice.”

After all, it’s no secret that adventuring within the mountains isn’t a solo effort. The whole lot from the training course of to the journey itself takes the end result of many individuals coming collectively, sharing data and serving to each other out. This is without doubt one of the issues that make Argentina so particular. The freeride neighborhood there’s famously robust and passionate, coming collectively to raised one another and be taught. “The Argentinean ski neighborhood could be very passionate. Many individuals do double seasons and ski most months of the yr,” Geist instructed us. “What I believe makes the Argentinean backcountry skier and neighborhood stand out is the perseverance it takes. The entry to the mountains may be lengthy and troublesome when touring by means of the Andean-Patagonian forests. You be taught the power to adapt to completely different snow circumstances and routes, and to share that data.”

A longtime backcountry associate of Geist’s, Maximiliano Artoni was proper behind him able to seize the great thing about this unimaginable season. Check out the picture gallery under to get a really feel of the unimaginable terrain these skiers traverse by means of within the Andes Mountains. Cheers to what has been a outstanding 2024 winter in Argentina thus far.