He’s right on time, 10 a.m., sharp…a good sign. These are some other things you look for in a guide–organized, prompt, smiling, efficient, and on time. No casts on his or her body helps, too. Some qualifications might be nice, as well: how about a lifetime skier, former examiner for the Professional Ski Instructors of America, an aspirant ski guide with the American Mountain Guides Association, a Level 3 professional with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, a former alpine racing coach, a regular AIARE 1 avalanche instructor for Alpine World Ascents, and a sponsored Dynafit athlete?
Woh, that’s quite the CV, eh? Add to it a smiling face and locals-only knowledge and you’ve got yourself Donny Roth and his Chile Powder Adventures. Donny’s been a Front Range guy off and on for the past 20 years, but ten of those northern summers he’s spent in Chile, harvesting corn, summitting peaks, and carving volcanoes. Not a bad gig.
I caught up with Donny to talk about his upcoming winter season, south of the border…and there he was, 10 a.m. on the dot.
“I’m definitely showing off the country,” Donny says of his Chilean adventures. “My trips aren’t wine tours; we’re not just sitting around soaking up the culture, but I can show people Chile.”
And the skiing?
“The volcanoes offer really big descents; some of them are 5000 feet, 35- to 40-degree slopes the whole way. It can be some of the best corn skiing ever,” he says.
Donny balances the skiing with comfortable travel, including “beautiful, often handmade hotels and lodges, where we’re dealing with the owner every night. These people take pride in it.”
As does Donny. He’s been to the southern winter every year for the past decade. He was one of, if not the, last person to ski Volcan Puyehue, in October 2010, before it erupted the following spring. “My friends down there called me up and said, ‘Hey, you remember that volcano we skied? That’s the one that’s erupting right now!'” He’s guided out of Portillo, skied first descents down to Patagonia, and sussed out more than a few hidden gems along the spine of the Andes.
His season starts in late August and runs through October. He’s got two spots open for his September 14 trip…he’s planning on skiing three volcanoes (Osorno, Casa Blanca, Mocho-Choshuenco) during the week. Sounds, cool, eh? Buy your ticket into Osarno (usually $1500 or so) and $2900 covers everything except alcohol, gifts, and random stuff. Hotels, food, wine at the dinner table, hot springs…Donny covers it. Sounds just about right on another 95-degree day here in Boulder!
The Chilean winter thus far has cooperated with his itinerary–dry in the north (around places like Portillo), but snowy in the south, where his trips run. Most of his pre-set itineraries are perfect for solid skiers, with at least moderate fitness. They’re not doing 10000-foot days, nor is the terrain excessively technical.
“For the volcanoes we’re usually skinning one-half to two-thirds of the way up, maybe using ski crampons if it’s firm, then bootpacking to the summit,” he says.
His trips sound like a great way to learn more about ski mountaineering and gain experience in a different snow climate, one he likens to the Cascades. Donny’s lived and skied in Slovenia, Spain, throughout the US (Bozeman, Boulder, Jackson); passed his aspirant exam in Pemberton, British Columbia; and guides the length of the Andes in Chile. On top of that, he’s an excellent teacher and a fun dude!
If you’re torched from the heat or just looking to get your 2013/14 winter season started a few weeks early, then give Donny a call. He’ll give you a helping of Chile you won’t forget!
