Patagonia Ski Zone Takes a Full-Depth Avalanche

A rainstorm dramatically changed a ski area in Patagonia, sending large avalanches from the upper peaks to the ground. After five inactive days and one wet powder outing, another three days of rain left the zone heavily damaged. The later avalanche cycle included slides rated D3, with one roughly 200 yards across and about 3 feet deep.

When the weather briefly improved, the skiers toured the area to assess possible routes and avalanche debris. They found only about 3 inches of fresh snow at road level, but the day proved more rewarding than expected. A first run offered soft snow over a hard layer and dropped 1,950 vertical feet. Later, one skier completed a difficult line through exposed rocks and hardened debris before reaching softer turns lower down.

The trip ended with that final day together. A forecast calling for five more days of rain and cloud led one traveler to leave Patagonia a week early, avoiding a long drive-and-ferry journey to the original flight and making room for time at home before a return trip to Antarctica.