Story by: Sarah Giffin

We came to ski. More specifically, to ski great terrain, avoid spending too much money, and chase snow through the Andes in a campervan that was definitely not built for three people. Three women, one van, a pile of gear. We left Santiago with skis, skins, peanut butter, and a loose idea: chase the lines, and figure the rest out as we went. 

We traveled South through Chile, then North through Argentina. We started in Farellones at the Santa Teresa face before traveling south to Cajon Del Maipo where we found steep faces and narrow couloirs. From there we summited and skied four volcanoes, Viejo, Lonquimay, Villarica, and Llaima, before working our way back north through Laguna del Maule, Las Leñas and Portillo.

From the moment we left Santiago, the trip was defined by improvisation. There were no strict itineraries, no booked hotels, no certainty beyond the next line of snow. Each day demanded decisions in real time: where to go, which lines to ski, how to respond to weather, and when to turn back. 

Ultimately, the Andes were a masterclass in progression. We experienced extremes: the joy of untouched powder, the thrill of steep descents, the reward of grueling summits, and the adrenaline of unexpected challenges. Volcanoes taught us patience, persistence, and perspective. Some days, progress was measured in vertical meters; other days, it was measured in resilience, judgment, and connection.

By the end of the trip, skiing had become a lens for understanding broader lessons. We learned to trust our instincts, rely on our crew, and accept that uncertainty is not a threat but a teacher. 

We relied on strangers, and they became friends. We took risks, and they made us stronger. We stepped outside our boundaries, physically, emotionally, and culturally, and found something much bigger than powder turns. It all added up to a kind of progression that wasn’t just physical. It was mental, emotional, even philosophical.

What began as a mission to ski, became a journey of growth, perspective, and connection. And the Andes, with all their beauty and unpredictability, were the perfect teacher.