Photo: Tijs Michels / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Mountains & volcanoes
Cerro El Plomo Ascent
A 3-day guided climb of Cerro El Plomo (5,424 m) from Valle Nevado, with a base camp at 4,100 m and mules carrying the heavy gear.
3 days
Snow · Central Andes
Backcountry Ski Touring in Cajón del Maipo
At a glance
A full day of guided ski touring in the Cajón del Maipo, about 2 hours from Santiago, skinning up and skiing the couloirs of Valle Las Arenas.
- Duration
- Full day
- Level
- Intermediate–Advanced
- Group
- 1–6
- Season
- Winter (June–September)
- Elevation gain
- 4–6 hours of ascent (meters not confirmed)
- Start
- Pickup at your hotel in Santiago, confirmed when you book; private transfer of about 2 hours to the trailhead
Overview
The Cajón del Maipo is Santiago's backyard canyon, and in winter its upper valleys hold snow with no lifts, no groomers and no resort crowds. This day of ski touring starts with a private transfer from Santiago, about 2 hours to the trailhead, and puts you on skins with a certified mountain guide (UIAGM or national certification).
The main objective is Valle Las Arenas, at the foot of Volcán San José near Lo Valdés and Baños Morales, and its couloirs. After a safety briefing and an ARVA (avalanche transceiver) check, you climb for 4–6 hours and then ski the descent your guide has chosen for the day's snow. If the snowpack or the visibility does not allow it, the alternative is Cerro Unión (3,658 m), with its own ascent and descent. Lunch is a trail pack eaten in the field, and you are back in Santiago in the evening.
Your guide brings the judgment and you bring the legs. Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe) is included, and groups stay small, up to 6 people. This day suits intermediate to advanced off-piste skiers who already know their touring gear and have basic transceiver skills.
Highlights
- Ski the couloirs of Valle Las Arenas, in the upper Cajón del Maipo
- Cerro Unión (3,658 m) as an alternative objective when conditions call for it
- Terrain with no resort infrastructure
- Certified mountain guide (UIAGM or national certification) and full avalanche safety kit included
- Small group, up to 6 people
The day
Early pickup at your hotel in Santiago
Pickup at your hotel in Santiago, confirmed when you book, and a private transfer up the Cajón del Maipo, about 2 hours to the trailhead.
Safety briefing and ARVA check
Your guide runs through the plan for the day, checks every avalanche transceiver and makes sure everyone has shovel and probe.
Ascent and descent of Valle Las Arenas
Skin up for 4–6 hours and ski the couloirs of Valle Las Arenas. If snowpack stability or visibility rule it out, the group climbs and skis Cerro Unión instead.
Lunch in the field
A trail lunch pack, eaten on the mountain.
Drop-off at your hotel in Santiago
Transfer back down the valley, with drop-off at your hotel in Santiago, confirmed when you book, in the evening.
Included and not included
Included
- Certified mountain guide (UIAGM or national certification)
- Avalanche safety equipment (ARVA transceiver, shovel, probe)
- Safety briefing and ARVA check
- Trail lunch pack
- Private transfer from Santiago
Not included
- Ski touring equipment rental (quotable on request)
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities and personal expenses
What to bring and who it's for
What to bring
- Your own ski touring setup (skis, skins, touring boots), or ask us to quote a rental
- Your winter touring clothing
- Travel insurance details
- Your completed health form and liability waiver
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced off-piste skiers with experience on touring equipment and basic ARVA (avalanche transceiver) handling. You need good physical condition for 4–6 hours of ascent.
Good to know
- The objective depends on snowpack stability and visibility. Valle Las Arenas is the plan; Cerro Unión is the alternative.
- A health form and liability waiver are required.
- Valle Las Arenas is on private land, and access is managed by the landowners.
- Snow cover on the lower part of Cerro Unión can thin out from mid-August, which can mean carrying skis on the first section.
Where it happens
The map loads from Esri when you open it.
- SantiagoPickup at your hotel in Santiago.
- Valle Las ArenasSki touring in the Cajón del Maipo.
- SantiagoDrop-off at your hotel in Santiago.
Make it part of a trip
Combine it with other days in a trip designed around you.
Plan a tailor-made trip
Ready to go?
FAQs
Expect 4–6 hours of climbing on skins before the descent, so fitness matters as much as skiing. The couloirs of Valle Las Arenas call for intermediate to advanced off-piste skiing.
Yes. You should already be comfortable on touring equipment and know the basics of using an avalanche transceiver. Your guide runs a safety briefing and an ARVA check before you start.
About 2 hours by road to the trailhead. A private transfer from Santiago is included, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Santiago, confirmed when you book. You are back in the city in the evening.
We run this day in winter, from June to September.
No. Valle Las Arenas is the main objective, but if snowpack stability or visibility do not allow it, your guide takes the group to Cerro Unión instead.
A certified mountain guide (UIAGM or national certification) and avalanche safety equipment: transceiver, shovel and probe. Ski touring equipment is not included, but we can quote a rental on request.
Up to 6 people with your guide.
SOURCES · Vertic field notes · laderasur.com · wikiexplora.com · blog.andesgear.cl