Ski and adventure
Cross country skiing in Manantiales (a non-working ski resort)
Available: from June to October (depnding on the amount of snow)
Duration: two days
Due to its altitude –between 3,000 and 4,000 meters-, the steep slopes of Manantiales, Guanaquitas and Portillo Argentino (Tunuyán, Mendoza), are the ideal landscape for winter activities. Manantiales was a project of ski center that never came to working, and the reward for climbing the long snow slopes are miles of lonely tracks and virgin snow slopes, for the off-piste skier to explore.
We offer a weekend of exploration and skiing, while our seasoned guides take care of the safety and services in the mountain –a gaucho-style barbecue and a night in a traditional hut, all covered by snow, included-.
For those skiers with a feeling toward adventure, this program puts together the experience of a mountain expedition with the best off-piste spots in Mendoza, that the advanced skiers will appreciate.”
Marcos Crisi, guide. Skiing instructor, 20 seasons at Valle de Las Leñas, 10 seasons in Europe and the US.
Itinerary
Day 1- 08 h: Departure from Mendoza, in 4x4 vehicles (Land rover Defender). We travel for 130 km, in about two and a half hours.
As we ride the legendary Route 40 towards the Uco Valley (South), the stories of the place go along with coffee or “mate”. The snow-capped peaks of the Central Andes put the frame. At Tunuyán we turn towards Manzano Histórico.
This place is the gate to a historical trail that crosses the Andes to Chile, the Portillo Argentino-Piuquenes pass trail. At the Gendarmería (Border Patrol) post (2,400 m), we leave the car. We have a snack while we get ready.
10:30 h: Trek to the Scaravelli hut, or "Real de la Mula Muerta". Skiing or with the skis in the backpack -depending on the amount of snow- we climb following the 4x4 trail and the stream. We have lunch at Scarabelli (3,100m). While members of our team get everything ready for a good comfortable night, gaucho barbecue included, we can either ski one of the valleys nearby, or just relax. We share our "asado criollo" (bbq), with fine local wines and vegetables. The night can be in the hut (with no services but a couple of old beds) or in four seasons tents.
D2: The whole day for cross country skiing. Box lunch. If the conditions are good, it is possible to get to the projected ski areas of Manantiales (4,000 m), climb them and ski down in never-trodden snow.
15 hs: Descent to Gendarmería and to Mendoza. End of the program.
Included services
Transfer Mendoza-Portinari-Mendoza, 4x4 vehicle.
Ski randonne gear: skis, boots, skins, ARVA, poles, helmet, shovel, etc.
The Norh Face or Mountain Hardware tents, models 2006 on.
Ski guide. Mountain guide.
Full board: Box lunchs, barbecue with wine, breakfast, snacks. Chocolate, tea, coffe.
Handies.
Rescue and first aid gear.
Not included
Personal equipment
Any expenses derived from leaving the program.
Prices
Prices
U$S 250 per pax (4 pax minimum)
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