The SASS Global Travel Experience

What do you get when friends old and new come together for the most epic and memorable global adventure? We would call that the SASS Experience, and you just drank the punch.

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Top 10 Best Places to Ski in South America: #1 Cerro Catedral

The snow. The story. The legend. It’s really no surprise after sending tours down to Cerro Catedral for the last nine years, SGT awards this world class resort the highly coveted ‘number one spot’ on our list of ‘Top 10 Best Places to Ski in South America.’ With immediate access to an incredible amount of insane backcountry sweet spots, even the most intrepid backcountry explorer will find enough terrain here to stay occupied for days into weeks into seasons. The extent to which you enjoy the potential of this epic South American ski resort just depends on how much time you have. Catedral has everything: gnarly big mountain faces, couloirs, cliff drops and even wicked tree lines with bottomless powder. In addition to the top quality terrain, snow and breathtaking views, Cerro Catedral also boasts Bariloche (think food, drink and partying with hot girls) just down the road.

Here at SGT, we are basically defiling our underwear right now waiting for the moment when we get to to shred again with the family at Cerro Catedral this summer. Actually, while that’s certainly the case, we’re still taking time to enjoy the moments as they come, killing the waves here in Puerto Rico at the Rincon Surf School. But as much fun as we are having (and you are undoubtedly having) the Argentina backcountry experience we share with you is honestly the highlight of each year. Here’s to sharing another year of snow massacre this summer!

Number of Lifts: 38
Proximity to Nearest Major City: 22 km to Bariloche
Vert: 1150m (3773)
Skiable Terrain: 2965 acres
Terrain Park: Yes (snow permitting)
Country: Argentina

Check out our program in Argentina!

2012 Session Uno: Snowboard from SASS Global Travel on Vimeo.

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Best Places to Ski in South America: #2 Valle Nevado de las Tres Valles

Best Places to Ski in South America: #2 Valle Nevado de Tres Valles

Valle Nevado offers the greatest amount of skiable terrain in South America. With unprecedented access to wicked backcountry lines, this renowned ski area shreds into second place on our list of the top 10 best places to ski in South America. As you can see at their highly functional website, and reputation for high level services, Valle Nevado certainly deserves its elevation high in the mountain air. The season starts in June and ends in October. Think of yourself, cutting out on all your friends stuck in fall while you tear the Patagonian mountains to shreds. We think Valle Nevado sometime in the fall (perhaps September?) would be a delight.

Check out these treks around Valle Nevado.

Vert: 906m (2971 feet)
Skiable Terrain: nearly 7,000 acres
Terrain Park: Yes
Number of Lifts: 13 in Valle Nevado, 20 in El Colorado, and 15 in La Parva
Country: Chile

Check out our program in Argentina!

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Best Places to Ski in South America: Las Leñas

In what can only be described as a ridiculous amount of skiable terrain, Las Leñas offers some of the most badass, grow-hair-on-your-nuts skiing in the southern Hemisphere. Check out the video posted if you don’t believe me. What do you like skiing or riding? If your answer is: skiing off Andean summits into couloirs, off drops and onto gnarly steep descents into oblivion, you should probably stop by Las Leñas at some point in your life journey.

However, there is one thing to consider if you’re considering making the trip. To access the big mountain you must take The Marte lift, which is due to avalanche and snow pack, is not always be open. So look at reports before you go.

Number of Lifts: 10
Proximity to Nearest Major City: 203 km to San Rafael, 367 km to Mendoza
Vert: 1190m (3904 feet)
Skiable Terrain: 43,200 acres
Terrain Park: No
Country: Argentina

Check out our program in Argentina!

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Best Places to Ski in South America: Portillo

Top 10 Ski Areas in South America: Portillo

As the oldest ski resort in South America, Portillo definitely claims legendary status. Isolated in the Patagonia, visitors must commit to one week of an all inclusive lodge package deal if they wish to stay and ski this epic mountain. This has pros and cons but it means that development is limited to one lodge at the bottom and a multi cultural community environment that is always worth the experience. There could definitely be worse requirements if you ask us. Also, the limited access means more untouched powder and terrain for your selfish enjoyment. Awww yeah!

Number of Lifts: 13
Proximity to Nearest Major City: 142 km to Santiago
Vert: 768m (2486 feet)
Skiable Terrain: 14000 acres
Terrain Park: Yes
Country: Chile

Check out our program in Argentina!

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Top 10 Ski Areas in South America: Nevados de Chillan

Tucked away in the southern Andes on the slopes of the Chillán volcano, at this ski area you will find plenty of amazing powder, trees and backcountry skiing. After a long day of skiing visitors can look forward to natural outdoor thermal pools to relax and renew tired muscles. Termas stands out from the rest for its fantastic backcountry terrain for advanced and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, but lift service at the top is via drag lifts.

Number of Lifts: 9
Proximity to Nearest Major City: Chillån is 82km away
Skiable terrain: 24700 acres
Vert: 870m
Terrain Park: Yes
Country: Chile

Check out our program in Argentina!

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Top 10 Ski Areas in South America: Caviahue

So Caviahue has access to lots of powder – both in the trees on the hill as well as plenty off-piste backcountry access – but you want more? Good. Caviahue in addition to excellent skiing and snowboarding offers visitors mineral rich hot tubs, turquoise lakes and even a view of the majestic Copahue Volcano. In addition the ski area sits just a couple km from Chile if you feeling like exploring more of the surreal scenery of Patagonia. If you’re look for a kick ass vacation, Caiahue really delivers the whole burrito!

Number of Lifts: 9
Proximity to Nearest Major City: Neuquen
Vert: 772m (2533 feet)
Country: Argentina

Check out our program in Argentina!

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Top 10 Ski Areas in South America: Cerro Bayo

This South American ski resort is still under development which means each year this South American ski resort gets a little bit better. The runs here range from beginner to expert – with plenty of off piste skiing for those badass enough to make the trek. We’re talking fresh tracks and plenty of powder for all those adventurous enough to visit this up and coming ski area. As an added kickbutt bonus, this ski area gets an annual average of 20 feet of snow! With all these features, we suggest if you’re coming through South America to backcountry ski or snowboard make a stop at Cerro Bayo to find this hidden gem.

Number of Lifts: 12
Proximity to Nearest Major City: 9 km to Villa de la Angostura
Vert: 660m (2,165 feet)
Skiable terrain: 1977 acres
Terrain Park: Yes
Country: Argentina

Top 10 Ski Resorts in South America: Chapelco

The Best South American Ski Resorts: #9 Chapelco

Most famous for its enchanted forests, Chapelco definitely reserves a spot on every powder junky’s bucket list. In addition to perfectly spaced tree runs, big mountain freestylers and backcountry skiers looking for that adrenaline fix will find enough terrain here to stay occupied for days into weeks. Whether you’re looking for gnarly cliff drops and high gradient back bowls or magical rides through open and lower angle tree runs, Chapelco has got something to offer each and everyone of you powder junkies out there.

Just 20 minutes from the charming town of San Martin de los Andes, after a full day on the slopes, visitors can finish off the day with a healthy slab of steak and a large glass of fine Argentine wine.

Check out our program in Argentina!

Number of Lifts: 10
Proximity to Nearest Major City: 20 km from San Martin de los Andes
Vert: 730m (2395 feet)
Skiable terrain: 140 acres
Terrain Park: Yes
Country: Argentina

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Top 10 Ski Resorts in South America: Cerro Castor

The Best South American Ski Resorts: #10 Cerro Castor

Located in Argentina’s southern Patagonian region known as Tierra del Fuego, Cerro Castor claims notoriety as the southernmost ski area on the continent. Although lacking the extreme terrain found at other South American ski areas, the bountiful powder spread deep across the spacious slopes of Cerro Castor makes the effort to discover this “secret” at the “end of the world” worthwhile.

Also (ir)relevant, Cerro Castor’s has two of the creepiest mascots we’ve seen yet. Whoever thought a human sized rat and a giant “tickle-me-here” Elmo make great mascots… We may never know.

Check out our program in Argentina!

Skiable Terrain: 600 acres

Vert: 772m (2533 feet)

Number of Lifts: 9

Nearest City: Ushuiaia is 30 minutes away

Terrain Park: Yes

Country: Argentina

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