Utah skiers will soon bring professional helicopter skiing to Patagonia for the first time ever. Patagonia Heliski launched their inaugural season on Friday in Park City at the Jaybird headquarters. This will be the first and only official heliski operation in Patagonia, Argentina. My friends, Justin Lozier and Catalina Lalor, are the driving force behind this venture. Along with investors and Patagonian ski guides, Patagonia Heliski is ready to pioneer untouched mountains in a corner of the world that has rarely been skied.
Patagonia Heliski
The operation is located central Argentine Patagonia near the border with Chile. These mountains are huge, and look more like peaks one would find in Alaska. Patagonia Heliski’s tenure includes over one-million acres of these mountains. Glaciers, high-elevation peaks, and limitless views provide the backdrop for skiing here. First descents are a sure thing.
The Founders and Guides
Justin is the co-founder and lead guide. He has been guiding for Wasatch Powderbirds for nine years, which had given him the experience and talent to branch off and start his own operation in South America. Justin is no stranger to the south either. He started Patagonia Ski Tours in Bariloche, Argentina, and has been guiding trips there for years.
The other co-founder and lead guide is Gabriel Rapoport. An Argentina native, he skis and mountaineers in Patagonia as a certified UIAGM-IFMGA mountain guide. He is recognized as one of the foremost experts on heli-skiing in Patagonia and will be essential in opening up new terrain within the operation’s tenure.
Patagonia Heliski Operation
Patagonia Heliski will run two aircraft, a Bell 407GXP and a Eurocopter AS350 B3. Both will ferry guests to the wild mountains from the lodge. And that lodge is luxurious. The newly constructed Carrileufu River Lodge is the base of operations. In the summer, the lodge hosts fishing guests. But when the snow flies, skiing will take over. It features six guest rooms, each with two queen-sized beds. There is also a bar, gourmet dinners, and a huge great room for relaxing after a long day exploring endless mountain terrain.
I’ve known Justin and Cata for years. In 2013 I joined them in Patagonia along with other buddies for a “friends tour” of Argentina. We skied the mountains above Bariloche, toured to Refugio Frey, and were among the first guests at Baguales Mountain Reserve. Watching them build Patagonia Ski Tours into a successful business, and then have the bravery and determination to start a heliski operation from the ground up has been inspiring. I am confident that Patagonia Heliski will be a success because nothing like it has ever been done in that part of the world. These mountains are entirely new territory for skiers. The adventure would be tremendous.
Patagonia Heliski is now taking bookings for 2018 and 2019. The season runs from the beginning of August through September.
For more information, pricing, or to book your trip, contact Justin and Cata at 801-960-2754. Or send them an email at info@patagoniaheliski.com
Of course you can also go to patagoniaheliski.com for a program list, photo gallery and more.
See also:
Backcountry skiing Patagonia: Bariloche and Cerro Catedral
Backcountry skiing Patagonia: Refugio Frey
Backcountry skiing Patagonia: Catedral Norte
Backcountry skiing Patagonia: Refugio Baguales
Video: Patagonia Ski Tours 2015