South America Travel Tips: Part 2
Ski Conditions to Expect and What DPS Skis to Bring
So you’ve booked the trip. Now you need to begin thinking about what kind of snow and terrain you'll be skiing, and which skis are the best tools for the job. In this guide, we’ll walk you through potential conditions to expect, how to decide which skis to bring, and other ways to prepare.
Typical Conditions:
Mid-winter in the Andes, typically July through early September, can bring everything from storm cycles and powder days to warm sunshine and spring corn. It's important to expect and embrace a wide range of conditions, rather than just praying for powder.
Unlike many North American ski destinations, much of South America skiing happens above treeline. That means wide-open high alpine terrain, which can offer both incredible visibility on good days, and flatter light when storms move in.
In terms of snow conditions, be prepared for everything from dry powder to chalk and variable hardpack. Make sure to bring a ski (or multiple pairs!) that can handle varying types of terrain.
What Skis Should You Bring?
For most trips, versatility wins. First, determine if you’ll be traveling with one or two pairs of skis.
If you're only bringing one ski:
All our ambassadors agree: If you can only bring one, make it something versatile enough to handle mixed conditions. The standout recommended skis to bring was the Kaizen 105 for resort, or the Pagoda Tour CFL 105 if its a backcountry trip.
The 105 shape remains one of our favorite tools for handling the mix of powder, firm snow, corn, and touring access that South America often delivers. It adapts well to any terrain, and you can rest assured that you'll feel confident even when skiing new terrain for the first time. This shape is a great option for anyone who needs one ski to handle it all, and wants to minimize travel expenses by only bringing one ski.
If you can bring more than one ski:
If you have the luxury of traveling with two pairs, we recommend a slightly different approach. Go for a wider ski and a narrower option, having one paired with a touring setup if some backcountry access is part of the plan.
For our backcountry skiers, the Pagoda Tour CFL 94 is recommended to take advantage of spring corn conditions with a light setup that you can go all day with. If spring-like backcountry objectives are on your list, you'll want this ski.
For resort skiers, the Pisteworks 94 or Kaizen 100 would be a great option as your narrower ski. They share condition versatility, and will be a great option on any corn, hard pack or variable snow you might find.
For the second ski in your South American quiver, our experts opt for a true powder ski.
For some, that means the Koala 111 or Kaizen 112, or even a larger ski like the Lotus 117. Whatever you choose, make sure you're well equipped in case you get lucky with a big storm.
Other Gear to Bring:
South America tends to stay warmer than midwinter North America, meaning you’ll want layers for sunny spring-like afternoons. But it is winter after all, so don't skimp on warmer layers for colder storm days.
A few essentials:
- Spring and winter gloves
- Low-light and sunny lenses
- A lightweight layering system
- Touring gear if you plan to leave the resort
Guided Trips:
For first-time visitors, our team recommends hiring a guide for at least a day or two to learn the terrain and maximize your time on snow. Since there aren’t many trails that are cut tree runs like in North America, it can be tricky to navigate directions on your own. A guide will help you to get the lay of the land initially.
Several of our ambassadors run summer camps and guided programs in South America. Check out what they have planned for this year below:
- Davenport's Portillo Superstars Camp runs August 15 to 22, 2026. It's a six-day ski camp at Portillo alongside an all-star lineup including Cody Townsend, Elyse Saugstad, Mike Douglas, and Ingrid Backstrom. Groups are capped at 10 guests, so don’t delay. Details and inquiries at chrisdavenport.com.
- Caleb Merrill runs guided Chile trips through his outfit Wallowa Backcountry Guides, based out of Enterprise, Oregon. His Summer '26 Chile program runs two trips: August 28 to September 3 and September 5 to 12. Groups are small, 6 guests and 2 guides, with flexible daily options ranging from ski area laps and lift-assisted volcano touring to backcountry skiing and hot springs. Optional add-ons include heli-assisted touring and horse-packed ski camping. Details at wallowabackcountryguides.com.
