What brought nearly a hundred veteran skiers to the town of San Martin de los Andes at the end of August? Freeride. Freeride and a the promise of unceasing powder. Most skiers will speak lovingly of their powder days but that concept remains largely a Northern Hemisphere fixation. That won't last long as the South American ski scene is charging through the 21st century will the promise of more Patagonian Powder days even in an uncertain climate for skiers.
Enjoy the ride through Chapelco's pristine woods with some of the finest skiers I've ever seen tear through a glade.
Just don't let these powder stashes get too popular, not every place needs to be Vail, Squaw, or any other industry behemoth. Sometimes the best skiing is just a walk in the woods taken at breakneck speed.