So Much Snow – A Photo Gallery

We have been receiving some massive storm totals down here in Patagonia. We apologize in advance for having to put you through this kind of temptation during your summer beach time. It’s just that the energy down here at the SGT Compound is turned all the way up to 11, and minds are being blown, while quads are burning. Enjoy and if you still want to make it down then we still have spots available in Session 3B August 31st to September 7th make this your year.

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mikegordon Mikey Gordon having a nice laid back kind of day. Photo: Ben Girardi

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The Views are alright. Photo : Ben Girardi

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Program Director Lucas Moore still has it. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Josh Trosky and Garrett Russell sharing a nice Chairlift Ride. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Mauri Cambilla having some Deep Thoughts. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Such style, such class he has to be European, Piers Solomon. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Diego when he isn’t serving us our Tostado Americanos, loves his old tractor. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Josh Trosky this kid was just everywhere, out for another hike. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Too many to name all of them, but top of the bottom of the world…yeah that makes sense. Photo: Ben Girardi

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Josh Trosky again, not just riding lifts and hiking, he also can ski, quite well. Photo: Ben Girardi

Check out the New Video As well

So Much Snow – SASS Global Travel Argentina – SUMMERized Episode #1 – Ski from SASS Global Travel on Vimeo.

How to get off the couch and become a backcountry skier and/or snowboarder

Talking to skiers and snowboarders, it is amazing how reticent many of our peers are about getting out the gates of the resorts and into the backcountry. It’s like standing on the top of the high dive where many people refuse to take the plunge even though they know it will be exciting and make them feel alive. Are you one of those people? Than this blog post is for you.

Check out our program in Argentina!

Many of the folks we talk to say they would love to experience the wonder of the mountain wanderer but they simply do not believe they have the ability. That’s crap. Our potential abilities are limitless, one must only make the choice to realize. Take concrete steps. Get out there and go skiing, go snowboarding, spend time shredding snow and skills will improve. An even better way to improve? Come down to Argentina with SGT where we deliver individual attention to each every one of our campers, clearly laying out the logical steps to improve ability and increase confidence. Ability is confidence and at SGT building confidence is our job.

Other shreddy friends say they don’t go backcountry skiing because they don’t have the gear. While that is a valid point, it is not insurmountable. What kind of gear does the backcountry adventurer need? Well it depends on what they’re trying to do… but here’s a basic list:

Beacon, shovel and probe (for avalanche safety)
Telemark, Alpine Touring (AT) or splitboard set up
Backpack
First aid kit

Find good deals on backcountry gear on these websites: backcountry.com backcountryaccess.com geartrade.com. Also, SGT provides rental backcountry gear for those coming down to Argentina.

In our opinion, probably the greatest consideration to be made before taking on the backcountry is risk analysis. The backcountry presents plenty of dangers, such as avalanche, accidental injury and other issues that are not very prevalent in the resort. One does not just walk into the backcountry without doing their homework. SGT offers AIARE Level One avalanche courses as well as an in-house avalanche awareness course for all of our campers so that we have the knowledge about how to approach terrain, minimizing and avoiding high risk situations.

While other limitations exist holding our friends from the backcountry we think we’ve presented a pretty good start here. Take these steps and you too can shred the backcountry:

Sign up for SGT Argentina 2013
Take an SGT AIARE Level One Avalanche safety course
Look at buying or borrowing AT gear
Get in shape by starting a dynamic daily fitness routine
Improve your skiing and snowboarding skills
Gain backcountry experience with solid SGT guides and coaches in Argentina

So there it is folks. Whatever you do and however you do it: have fun, be safe, and never stop exploring the limits of being alive!

Signed, Your friends and fam at SASS Global Travel

Check out our program in Argentina!

SGT: Reviews of our South American Ski and Snowboard Summer Camp

Testimonials! We’ve always known the first and foremost when it comes to running a backcountry ski and snowboard camp the most important part is creating the best camper experience possible. Without that we have nothing.

While we have always taken careful note of our closing surveys after sessions end, until now we never thought to ask you the camper, “What makes SGT special?”

Luckily, in the past weeks we decided to do just that, collecting testimonial reviews and statements from campers who have experienced our program. And let me say, the results have been amazing! Putting in the seemingly endless hours in the office year after year to make this happen, it is amazing how far a little bit of validation can go. It is because of these experiences that we share together that makes this all worth while!

Check out the testimonials page here. If you recently sent us a testimonial SGT review, but it isn’t up yet, give us a minute we are still working on it. We received A LOT of great testimonials and is taking a little than we expected. If you want to show off your internet fame, click here to share these testimonials on Facebook.

Hey, did I mention? YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!! Cannot wait to see you all soon! Maybe in Puerto Rico?

Check out a few testimonials below:

DJ Scott Waxenbaum throws down 25 tracks for backcountry skiing in Argentina

SASS Global Travel presents a list of carefully chosen songs from the track collection of DJ Skeewax. The list is designed to bump through your headphones as you lap the park, hike a lengthy line or rip backcountry turns this summer in Argentina.

30 freestyle skiers set the record for largest synchronized backflip in history

Any which way you slice dice and roll it. this constitutes an impressive feat of human ingenuity and athleticism. How many freestyle hours spent on the mountain went into completing something like this…? An unanswerable question, but we surely know it’s substantial. At SASS Global Travel Argentina this summer we will hone your freestyle skills on sick big mountain backcountry runs and killer terrain. Who knows maybe we will work in some synchronized freestyle shots for kicks and skittles – I’m sorry, I clearly mean to say shits and giggles.

Check out our program in Argentina!

Top 10 Best Places to Ski and Snowboard in South America

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After nearly a decade of sending skiers and snowboarders into the Patagonian backcountry, we at SASS Global Travel feel the time has come to drop some knowledge because we are basically defiling our underwear right now waiting for the moment when we get to shred again with the family and we want reprieve from the anticipation. Without further ado, we present to the world our list of the biggest, baddest and overall best spots to ski in South America. Can’t wait for the snow massacre this summer!

Continue reading Top 10 Best Places to Ski and Snowboard in South America

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

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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

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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

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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

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