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.

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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

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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

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SGT Signature Women’s Session Returning to Argentina in 2013

SASS Global Travel (SGT) is proud to announce the return of our Signature Women’s Sessions with guiding and coaching by pro snowboarders Robin van Gyn and Hana Beaman at Cerro Catedral, Argentina this summer.

SGT’s Signature Women’s Session offers a bridge for women riders who want to make the leap into the backcountry by improving their snowboarding skills in deep powder conditions and by expanding their knowledge about avalanche awareness and safety. The vast terrain of these Patagonian mountains offers the perfect setting for adventure fun, and camaraderie by pushing individual limits through big mountain backcountry riding in a supportive team environment.

Year after year, we at SGT find ourselves at the forefront of progression in the women’s big mountain freeride movement and this year we promise to continue along and expand upon the tracks we have already set. “You’ve heard me say it a hundred times, but I just can’t seem to say it enough: SGT Argentina is the highlight of my summer. Family, friends, epic powder and mind-blowing terrain in one of the most interesting cultural settings you can imagine. I’ve been fortunate enough to ride all over the world and I can honestly say there is nothing else like it… anywhere,” said pro snowboarder Robin van Gyn. “Get down here.”

The SGT Argentina Women’s Session runs at the perfect time to experience biggest powder dumps of the Southern Hemisphere season, known as the Santa Rosa. “After the response to this program last season, we couldn’t be more excited right now for 2013,” said SGT Managing Director Travis Moore. “We’re definitely expecting another sell-out season.”

Starting at $2495 for a signature 8-Day program, Women’s Session riders will have access to all of SGT Argentina’s amenities, including lodging just steps from the gondola, daily breakfast, tea and dinner, backcountry education, 24/7 logistics support, local airport transfers, and discounted airfare through LAN Airlines. In addition, SGT Women’s Session coaches will be offering women-specific coaching, guiding and optional apres and evening activities. More details and booking information are available online at sass2016.wpengine.com/argentina/women or by calling 1.800.851.4660.

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.

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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!

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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

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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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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

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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