OVERVIEW
SASS Argentina is a full service, big-mountain, backcountry, skiing and snowboarding camp for all ages. Located at the base of Catedral Alta Patagonia, South America’s largest resort, SASS takes advantage of the full-on winter conditions to crush pow in August. With the help of an all-star cast of professional backcountry guides, clients choose how to spend their day on the mountain alongside a small group that is on the same page in terms of both skill level and desired terrain. Tick the “endless winter” box on your bucket list and join us in Patagonia.
SASS ARGENTINA ADULT SESSIONS INCLUDE:
- Airport Transportation from Bariloche (BRC) to Cerro Catedral
- Breakfast, Afternoon Tea & Dinner daily
- On-Mountain Lodging at the SASS Lodge @ Base41
- All Lift Tickets (lifts are open from 9:30 am-4:30 pm)*
- Daily Backcountry Guiding & Coaching*
- Backcountry & Avalanche Awareness education
- Access to exclusive DPS touring demo skis and Jones splitboards.
- Weekly Asado (Argentine barbecue featuring the world famous organic, free-range lomo beef) with the SASS crew.
*Important Note: Daily guiding and coaching is subject to weather and operational conditions. Each 8-Day session includes a seven-day pass and up to six days of professional guiding. Saturdays (transfer days) may be an independent, unguided ski day, depending on the clients’ departing travel schedule. There are no refunds for unused guiding days or lift ticket days.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Airfare to/from Argentina.
- Nights out in town for dinner and nightlife. Organized group transportation is sometimes available for a nominal charge.
- Public transportation to explore Bariloche and the surrounding area.
- Other activities, including museum tours, boat tours, excursions, climbing, etc.
AVAILABLE ADD-ONS
- Nominal Lodging Fees for Overnight Backcountry Excursions to the huts or refugios in Argentina.
- Travel Insurance (Waiver required for non-purchase)
- Transfer from the international airport (Ministro Pistarini International Airport, EZE) to the domestic airport (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery) in Buenos Aires
- Rental of required backcountry equipment (backpack/beacon/shovel/probe). *Clients will be required to rent if they do not bring their own equipment.
- Photo packages by staff photographer Ben Girardi, click HERE for more info…
- Backcountry education classes, click HERE for more info…
- Clasecitas (culturally topical Spanish lessons), INQUIRE for more info…
- Rental cars
GETTING HERE / TRAVEL
SASS Argentina Travel Tips
- Our programs begin and end at the Bariloche Int’l Airport (BRC). Our facility is located at: Cerro Catedral, San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina
- Transportation between the airport and the mountain is included.
- If possible, book your flights on a single ticket to Bariloche Int’l Airport (BRC), served by LAN/LATAM (OneWorld partners with American Airlines) or Aerolineas Argentinas (SkyTeam partners with Delta Airlines), both with multiple daily flights.
- Most clients will connect and clear customs in Buenos Aires, where SASS has staff to greet clients. From Buenos Aires, clients will connect to a two-hour flight to Bariloche. Please be aware, Buenos Aires has two airports located about one hour apart:
- Ministro Pistarini – Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)
- Jorge Newbery – Aeroparque (AEP)
- SASS has a travel agency partner to assist with your bookings. Especially if you are traveling to SASS from elsewhere in South America, contact us for assistance with your itinerary and integrating SASS into your travel plans.
SASS Argentina takes the legwork out of South American logistics and makes the best use of your travel time and money. We understand South American ski / snowboard travel logistics better than anyone. Your desired connections can be easily facilitated by ground or air as part of your complete itinerary, whether you just choose to explore Bariloche or the surrounding ski areas of Chile or elsewhere in Argentina. Put our years of experience to the test and understand why SASS is your best route to Patagonia and beyond.
A DAY AT SASS ARGENTINA
Life in our Argentina lodge resembles a backcountry summer camp — clients eat together, ride together and work as a team to travel safely through the backcountry. Many pursue backcountry education; avalanche certifications are offered in-house by certified AIARE and CAA course leaders, along with Spanish, Filmmaking, CPR and Wilderness First Aid. Our private lodge, walking distance from the gondola, features comfortable shared rooms with an indoor/outdoor pool, ping-pong table, media room and private dining room. We also offer private apartments and custom lodging.
Every morning you will be able to choose how you want to spend the day on the mountain. Each coach will have a plan for the day and you get to decide which option suits your desires best. Mountain Operations Director Pete Connolly keeps the groups small and makes sure everyone is on the same page in terms of both skill level and desired terrain. Our groups never exceed a 5 to 1 client to coach ratio, giving you direct access to your guide or coach and keeping the pace up for the entire crew.
ADULT PRICES –
8-Day: $3495 USD
15-Day: $6890 USD
22-Day: $10,285 USD
29-Day: $13680 USD
Two Options for Payment:
Sign up for TripLayaway and get $50 off per session.
Book now with a 30% deposit. Total due 30 days before your departure.
For help booking your package, call us at 800-851-4660
OVERVIEW
SASS Argentina is a full service, big-mountain, backcountry, skiing and snowboarding camp for all ages. Located at the base of Catedral Alta Patagonia, South America’s largest resort, SASS takes advantage of the full-on winter conditions to crush pow in August. With the help of an all-star cast of professional backcountry guides, clients choose how to spend their day on the mountain alongside a small group that is on the same page in terms of both skill level and desired terrain. Tick the “endless winter” box on your bucket list and join us in Patagonia.
SASS ARGENTINA UNDER 18 SESSIONS INCLUDE:
- Airport Transportation from Bariloche (BRC) to Cerro Catedral
- Breakfast, Afternoon Tea & Dinner daily
- On-Mountain Lodging at the SASS Lodge @ Base41
- All Lift Tickets (lifts are open from 9:30 am-4:30 pm)*
- Daily Backcountry Guiding & Coaching*
- Backcountry & Avalanche Awareness education
- Access to exclusive DPS touring demo skis and Jones splitboards.
- Weekly Asado (Argentine barbecue featuring the world famous organic, free-range lomo beef) with the SASS crew.
*Important Note: Daily guiding and coaching is subject to weather and operational conditions. Each 8-Day session includes a seven-day pass and up to six days of professional guiding. Saturdays (transfer days) may be an independent, unguided ski day, depending on the clients’ departing travel schedule. There are no refunds for unused guiding days or lift ticket days.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Airfare to/from Argentina.
- Nights out in town for dinner and nightlife. Organized group transportation is sometimes available for a nominal charge.
- Public transportation to explore Bariloche and the surrounding area.
- Other activities, including museum tours, boat tours, excursions, climbing, etc.
AVAILABLE ADD-ONS
- Nominal Lodging Fees for Overnight Backcountry Excursions to the huts or refugios in Argentina.
- Travel Insurance (Waiver required for non-purchase)
- Transfer from the international airport (Ministro Pistarini International Airport, EZE) to the domestic airport (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery) in Buenos Aires
- Rental of required backcountry equipment (backpack/beacon/shovel/probe). *Clients will be required to rent if they do not bring their own equipment.
- Photo packages by staff photographer Ben Girardi, click HERE for more info…
- Backcountry education classes, click HERE for more info…
- Clasecitas (culturally topical Spanish lessons), INQUIRE for more info…
- Rental cars
GETTING HERE / TRAVEL
SASS Argentina Travel Tips
- Our programs begin and end at the Bariloche Int’l Airport (BRC). Our facility is located at: Cerro Catedral, San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina
- Transportation between the airport and the mountain is included.
- If possible, book your flights on a single ticket to Bariloche Int’l Airport (BRC), served by LAN/LATAM (OneWorld partners with American Airlines) or Aerolineas Argentinas (SkyTeam partners with Delta Airlines), both with multiple daily flights.
- Most clients will connect and clear customs in Buenos Aires, where SASS has staff to greet clients. From Buenos Aires, clients will connect to a two-hour flight to Bariloche. Please be aware, Buenos Aires has two airports located about one hour apart:
- Ministro Pistarini – Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)
- Jorge Newbery – Aeroparque (AEP)
- SASS has a travel agency partner to assist with your bookings. Especially if you are traveling to SASS from elsewhere in South America, contact us for assistance with your itinerary and integrating SASS into your travel plans.
SASS Argentina takes the legwork out of South American logistics and makes the best use of your travel time and money. We understand South American ski / snowboard travel logistics better than anyone. Your desired connections can be easily facilitated by ground or air as part of your complete itinerary, whether you just choose to explore Bariloche or the surrounding ski areas of Chile or elsewhere in Argentina. Put our years of experience to the test and understand why SASS is your best route to Patagonia and beyond.
A DAY AT SASS ARGENTINA
Life in our Argentina lodge resembles a backcountry summer camp — clients eat together, ride together and work as a team to travel safely through the backcountry. Many pursue backcountry education; avalanche certifications are offered in-house by certified AIARE and CAA course leaders, along with Spanish, Filmmaking, CPR and Wilderness First Aid. Our private lodge, walking distance from the gondola, features comfortable shared rooms with an indoor/outdoor pool, ping-pong table, media room and private dining room. We also offer private apartments and custom lodging.
Every morning you will be able to choose how you want to spend the day on the mountain. Each coach will have a plan for the day and you get to decide which option suits your desires best. Mountain Operations Director Pete Connolly keeps the groups small and makes sure everyone is on the same page in terms of both skill level and desired terrain. Our groups never exceed a 5 to 1 client to coach ratio, giving you direct access to your guide or coach and keeping the pace up for the entire crew.
UNDER-18 PRICE –
8-Day: $3695 USD
15-Day: $7290 USD
22-Day: $10885 USD
Two Options for Payment:
Sign up for TripLayaway get $50 off per session.
Book now with a 30% deposit. Total due 30 days before your departure.
For help booking your package, call us at 800-851-4660
OVERVIEW
The SASS Argentina Session 5 VIP Week is a full service, big-mountain, backcountry, skiing and snowboarding experience for adults seeking upgraded or private lodging and a social, self-directed trip without the camp-style vibe of the Lodge. Located at the base of Catedral Alta Patagonia, South America’s largest resort, SASS takes advantage of the full-on winter conditions to crush pow in August. With the help of an all-star cast of professional backcountry guides, clients choose how to spend their day on the mountain alongside a small group that is on the same page in terms of both skill level and desired terrain. Tick the “endless winter” box on your bucket list and join us in Patagonia.
SASS ARGENTINA VIP SESSION INCLUDES:
- Airport Transportation from Bariloche (BRC) to Cerro Catedral
- Breakfast daily
- On-Mountain Upgraded Lodging at the Base41 Apartments
- All Lift Tickets (lifts are open from 9:30 am-4:30 pm)*
- Daily Backcountry Guiding & Coaching*
- Backcountry & Avalanche Awareness education
- Access to exclusive Folsom touring demo skis and Jones splitboards.
- Weekly Asado (Argentine barbecue featuring the world famous organic, free-range lomo beef) with the SASS crew.
*Important Note: Daily guiding and coaching is subject to weather and operational conditions. Each 8-Day session includes a seven-day pass and up to six days of professional guiding. Saturdays (transfer days) may be an independent, unguided ski day, depending on the clients’ departing travel schedule. There are no refunds for unused guiding days or lift ticket days.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Airfare to/from Argentina.
- Lunch and Dinner.
- Nights out in town for dinner and nightlife. Organized group transportation is sometimes available for a nominal charge.
- Public transportation to explore Bariloche and the surrounding area.
- Other activities, including museum tours, boat tours, excursions, climbing, etc.
AVAILABLE ADD-ONS
- Upgrade to private lodging
- Nominal Lodging Fees for Overnight Backcountry Excursions to the huts or refugios in Argentina.
- Travel Insurance (Waiver required for non-purchase)
- Transfer from the international airport (Ministro Pistarini International Airport, EZE) to the domestic airport (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery) in Buenos Aires
- Rental of required backcountry equipment (backpack/beacon/shovel/probe). *Clients will be required to rent if they do not bring their own equipment.
- Photo packages by staff photographer Ben Girardi, click HERE for more info…
- Backcountry education course, click HERE for more info…
- Rental cars
GETTING HERE / TRAVEL
SASS Argentina Travel Tips
- Our programs begin and end at the Bariloche Int’l Airport (BRC). Our facility is located at: Cerro Catedral, San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina
- Transportation between the airport and the mountain is included.
- If possible, book your flights on a single ticket to Bariloche Int’l Airport (BRC), served by LAN/LATAM (OneWorld partners with American Airlines) or Aerolineas Argentinas (SkyTeam partners with Delta Airlines), both with multiple daily flights.
- Most clients will connect and clear customs in Buenos Aires, where SASS has staff to greet clients. From Buenos Aires, clients will connect to a two-hour flight to Bariloche. Please be aware, Buenos Aires has two airports located about one hour apart:
- Ministro Pistarini – Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)
- Jorge Newbery – Aeroparque (AEP)
- SASS has a travel agency partner to assist with your bookings. Especially if you are traveling to SASS from elsewhere in South America, contact us for assistance with your itinerary and integrating SASS into your travel plans.
SASS Argentina takes the legwork out of South American logistics and makes the best use of your travel time and money. We understand South American ski / snowboard travel logistics better than anyone. Your desired connections can be easily facilitated by ground or air as part of your complete itinerary, whether you just choose to explore Bariloche or the surrounding ski areas of Chile or elsewhere in Argentina. Put our years of experience to the test and understand why SASS is your best route to Patagonia and beyond.
A DAY AT SASS ARGENTINA
Our upgraded apartments are walking distance from the gondola, feature comfortable shared rooms with easy access to our indoor/outdoor pool and breakfast dining room.
Every morning you will be able to choose how you want to spend the day on the mountain. Each guide will have a plan for the day and you get to decide which option suits your desires best. Mountain Operations Director Pete Connolly keeps the groups small and makes sure everyone is on the same page in terms of both skill level and desired terrain. Our groups never exceed a 5 to 1 client to coach ratio, giving you direct access to your guide and keeping the pace up for the entire crew.
VIP PRICES –
8-Day: $3095 USD
Book now with a 30% deposit. Total due 30 days before your departure.
For help booking your package, call us at 800-851-4660
We get a lot of questions, and we try our best to answer them below. Please scroll down and see if yours has been asked before. You can also click here and ask us specific questions and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
How do I get there?
The moment your registration for SASS Argentina goes through, our partner travel agency is notified of your flight itinerary, and will shop to find you a discounted round trip flight to Bariloche booked on one ticket. You will most likely fly through Buenos Aires, where a SASS Logistics Rep will meet you to ensure you make your connecting flight to Bariloche. You may be required to transfer from Buenos Aires’ international airport to their domestic airport. Your options include taxi/remise (approx. $40-$60 USD one way) or a scheduled shuttle bus ($20-$25 USD plus bag fees). Either option works, but be prepared to use basic spanish if you choose public transit. This said, we do our best to book all flight without the airport transfer. Note: flight cost is not included in SASS Argentina pricing.
Safety in Argentina
The majority of your time will be spent in and around Cerro Catedral’s village area which is very safe and basically crime-free. Outside of this, San Carlos de Bariloche is a safe city and a comfortable place for tourists to spend time. As is true with any city, there are certain places to avoid, but these areas are nowhere near where we spend any time at SASS Argentina. If you choose to spend time in Buenos Aires on either end of your trip, again be prepared to speak some moderate spanish in navigating the city. While it may get the reputation of being a dangerous city, BA is on the rebound from their economic crises in the 1980s and again in 2001. Downtown Buenos Aires and popular neighborhoods like Palermo and Recoleta give the city its European flair, and tourists feel comfortable walking the streets alone during the day. As always when traveling, keep an eye on your luggage or store it in a safe place at all times.
Currency & Money
Complimenting Argentina’s gradual economic turnaround is an increased stability in their peso. Unlike past years, where an unofficial (known as the “blue market”) exchange rate differed from the official exchange rate, you’ll now get the best possible rate pulling out pesos from any ATM, and using credit or debit cards for purchases is no problem. Normal foreign transaction and ATM fees will apply. After taking into account the exchange rate, Argentina’s price points are comparable if not lower than those in the US. A quick google search of “ARS to USD” will give you today’s exchange rate.
Medical Facilities
Directly next door to our headquarters at Base 41 is the mountain’s medical clinic. Services like x-rays, evaluations, and other preliminary procedures can be provided, and the clinic has its own doctor on staff. Bariloche is also serviced year-round by a private Medivac helicopter and several modern ambulance/paramedic services. Most procedures require payment at the time of service, which can be reimbursed via your travel insurance or international health insurance using the receipts collected at the hospital.
The “A Factor”
Ah yes, the “A Factor” – that wonderful, unexplainable variable of daily life in Argentina that might initially drive schedule-hungry Americans crazy but with time, will relax you and truly get you into the rhythm of life in Argentina. Buses may be late, restaurants may only take cash even after posting a Visa sticker in the window, lifts may not run for no justifiable reason – hey, it’s Argentina! It’s not the US, Canada, or Europe and you should be prepared for something to not work out perfectly during your trip. Just relax, take a deep breath, be tranqui and enjoy the adventure of experiencing another culture with both its ups and downs.
What’s the mountain like?
Clocking in as the largest ski resort in South America, we are proud to call Cerro Catedral home to SASS Argentina. Catedral’s peaks hold steep technical lines that sit above treeline, and lower on the mountain lie some of the only lift-access tree skiing in the country. Scattered throughout are natural airs, cliff hits, and wind lips to throw up slashes on or huck your meat off of… we call it a freeride playground.
Stats
- 1,500 acres in-bounds, 3,000+ acres including sidecountry terrain
- 33 lifts and pomas
- 3 peaks
- 3,500 foot vertical drop
- 7,800 feet summit elevation
Who are the coaches and guides?
Our coaches and guides at SASS Argentina represent the industry’s top backcountry professionals. They all have years of experience with us in the Patagonia and have completed a Level II Avalanche Safety course and carry a WFR certification. But, what separates our guides from the rest of the crowd is their personalities and temperaments. The SASS Experience is one that is round-the-clock, so you can expect to get to know your guides on a personal level both on and off the hill.
What is the weather like?
You’ve heard stories about the Patagonia, Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with down there. In any given Session at SASS Argentina, you can expect to see howling wind and snow, beautiful bluebird conditions, and everything in between. In general, the climate is a bit warmer (think Tahoe / PNW temps), but with large amounts of moisture in the area due to Bariloche’s proximity to the ocean and lakes. This allows storms to bring rain to the base and powder to the upper mountain at any given moment
What’s the food like?
Food-wise, Argentina is famous for two things above all others: beef and wine. If you eat red meat, be prepared to be so blown away by the quality of the beef here that you will consider vegetarianism when you return home – no cut of meat in the world can beat the taste of a cut of lomo fresh off the asado! Also one of the world’s most famous regions for Malbecs is only six hours north, so amazing wine is a given. Food is cheap, so eating out a few times while in Argentina is a must, and a lomo and picada are two dishes you have to try. Bariloche is also famous for its chocolates, so a stop through Mamuschkas in downtown is necessary to fill up on every kind of chocolate concoction conceivable.
Argentines like to eat a lot of meat and pasta and seem to find a way to put ham and cheese on everything possible, and is historically not an easy place for vegitarians to navigate. However, Bariloche is one of the world’s top destinations for anglers, and has unbelievable fish, especially trout and salmon. As well, SASS has the flexibility modify its menu for vegetarian clients, and we make sure to have plenty of salads and vegetables on the table as well.
What are the people like?
Bariloche, along with the rest of Argentina, speaks a distinct dialect of Spanish called castellano – very different and much more staccato than the Spanish we hear in the US influenced by countries like Mexico. That being said, if you have any competency in Spanish you will be very welcome here, and being that this is one of the most-visited cities in all of Argentina, you will find plenty of English-speaking locals to help you out should you need it (but try it in Spanish, first!). The people are generally very friendly and nice and it’s a small enough community that locals consider hitch-hiking along Avenida Bustillo, the main avenue in Bariloche, a commonplace and safe activity.
Bariloche, like much of Argentina, has a lot of European heritage thanks with boatloads of Europeans that arrived during and after the last two World Wars. You will see plenty of distinctly European names around town, from Cabalgata Tom Wesley to Casita Suiza (Swiss House). A lot of the architecture, views, and people will look like something out of the Alps.
What’s the city of Bariloche like?
The city is about twenty minutes away by taxi or bus from the base of Cerro Catedral and is home to over 100,000 people. Situated right on the shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi at the south end of the extensive lakes region, Bariloche offers all the modern conveniences of a small city while also being the perfect venue for clients to explore the Argentine culture and practice their castellano. For those looking for nightlife, the city is also home to several famous nightclubs including Dusk, Pacha, and Wilkenny, and SASS will organize excursions into town to sample the nightlife for adult clients.
What’s the time difference?
Conveniently, Bariloche is only one hour ahead of US East Coast Time, making it easy to communicate with friends and family in the states. This also keeps jetlag relatively low.