It was July
2025 when in search of a ski and adventure destination in Latin America,
we chose Peru.
The region
that captivated us was the Cordillera Vilcanota, located near Cusco in southern
Peru. This mountain range is home to numerous peaks and summits, many of which
have never been ascended on skis. It was an expedition-style journey into
high-altitude, uncharted mountains (reaching up to 6,000 meters), with no
information available regarding ski mountaineering routes.
We were
fortunate to have John Biggar wish us, a legendary figure in
the Andes with over 100 expeditions in Latin America and of course, Jim
Blyth, a true mountain whisperer, who has quite literally explored every
snow-covered corner of the planet on skis.
We spent
several days in Cusco (at 3,700 meters), visiting many archaeological sites and
hiking up to altitudes of 4,000 meters to ensure proper acclimatization before
heading into the mountains.
Using 4×4
vehicles, we advanced into the Cordillera Vilcanota for our ski ascents. The
landscape in Peru is uniquely striking and easily recognizable, as most of the
snow-free mountains are covered in geometric terraces, carved into the slopes,
for agricultural use. These terraces, dating back to the Inca civilization,
continue to shape the Andean mountainsides to this day.
Our camps
were established at altitudes of 4,800 meters and 5,100 meters, strategically
located near flowing water for cooking needs and relatively close to our
snow-covered objectives.
Skiing in
these mountains demands real effort. The combination of long approaches with
heavy packs and the high altitude posed a serious challenge to our endurance.
However,
the snow conditions were exceptional! We encountered ideal spring-like snow,
stable and easy to manage, which made both the ascents and transitions
remarkably smooth.
Though the
climbs required significant effort, the Andes rewarded us in the best possible
way, offering some of the most beautiful and enjoyable descents we’ve ever
experienced.
Latin
America and the Andes in particular, will always be a unique and special
destination for ski mountaineering. We sincerely hope to return in the future
and continue exploring other slopes of these magnificent mountains on skis.
