Baguales Cat Skiing | The Real Patagonia

[this article is sponsored by Baguales Mountain Reserve]

45-minutes south of the bustle of Bariloche, Argentina is a special place called Baguales Mountain Reserve. Baguales is a large cat skiing operation with three huts, expansive terrain, unique wildlife, and nothing around for miles. The amount and variety of terrain here is impressive. This is the real Patagonia. The Patagonia you read about in books and hear about in stories.

Baguales Mountain Preserve is a cat skiing/snowboarding operation in the heart Andes mountain range of Argentine Patagonia. Baguales is the largest cat skiing operation in Argentina with huts at 5,250-feet and peaks up to 8,000-feet.

Baguales supports cat skiing and riding, snowmobiling, backcountry skiing and riding, crosscountry skiing, and more. All activities are performed under the supervision of their fully certified UAIGM mountain guides.

There is something for all ability levels and anyone will appreciate the beauty and serenity of spectacular Patagonia.

Baguales is home to three mountain huts or refugios:

La Mesada Refugio

Skiing expeditions begin at La Mesada Refuge sitting 5,300-feet. This gorgeous wooden cabin gives visitors stunning views of the nearby Ciruela and Villegas mountains as well the La Mesada Valley, and the Carerra Mountains. This refugio can host up to 20 guests in four twin bedrooms each with private bathrooms, and one common bedroom with a shared bathroom. La Mesada refugio sports a large dining room adjacent to a spacious living room with a comfortable bar and sprawling deck allowing for s360º view of the surrounding wilderness. The comfort of this refugio is juxtaposed to the vibrant wilderness that surrounds it creates a feeling of ease not found many places on Earth.

Villegas Refugio

Refugio Villegas is located at 4,600-feet at the base of the impressive Villegas mountain. Cerro Villegas is a freeskier’s paradise. Steeps, cliffs, roll overs, chutes, and wide open faces. Time spent living in this refugio at the base of Villegas would be a dream come true for any freerider. Refugio Villegas is easily accessed via snowmobile or snowcat and provides lodging for 10 guests in one large bedroom with a shred bathroom, hot showers, a kitchen/dining room, and cozy living room complete with fireplace and large windows overlooking the surrounding freeride terrain and forests.

Del Pinado Refugio

Del Pintado Refugio is the refugio located deepest in the Baguales wilderness. Del Pintado sits at 5,300-feet immediately between the Carreras and Hermanos mountain ranges. This refugio lives on a high wetland where the tributaries of the Pichileufu River makes their start. Del Pintado holds 10 guests, is ideal for backcountry skiing as it’s located at the base of some incredible freeride terrain. Many consider these slopes near Del Pintado the best and most fun Baguales has to offer.

Main Activities at Baguales:

Catskiing. With no traditional lifts, this type of skiing allows you to easily experience virgin snow and gorgeous terrain. Guest travel via 2 snowcats that hold of 12 people clients and 2 guides. Depending on the overall ski level, weather and snow conditions, a total of around 8 to 14 daily descents with an approximately of 16,000-vertical-feet.

Backcountry Skiing. Baguales offers a enormous amount of terrain for backcountry skiing that can or cannot be assisted with snowmobile or snowcat. Weather out for a day trip or staying overnight, the terrain and snow at Baguales will certainly be able to satisfy the gnarliest freerider as well as the mellowest backcountry tourer.

Baguales Mountain Reserve offers a wide choice of programes for every kind of client – from those looking for a ski-and-relax weekend to the most demanding skiers. An unforgettable experience is easily acquired wether you desire catsking, backcountry skiing, a mix of both or a simple relaxing weekend in the mountains away from everything.

Baguales Mountain Reserve, a natural universe to be discovered.