Eight Friends, One Week: A Group Ski Trip Report From Cerro Catedral

Eight friends skiing together in Patagonia for a week works best with one shared daily plan, two ability groups that meet for lunch, and one person in charge of money and logistics. We ran this trip in July with a group of eight friends from the United States and Canada, aged 34 to 52, ranging from solid intermediates to two strong experts. This is what went right, what went wrong, and what we would change next time.

Who was in the group and what did they want?

The group was eight adults who had skied together in the Rockies and wanted something new. Two were expert skiers who wanted steep terrain and off-piste at Cerro Catedral. Four were confident intermediates who wanted long cruising runs and views. Two were advanced beginners, newer to skiing, who mostly wanted to enjoy themselves without being left behind.

That mix is typical, and it is the main challenge of group skiing. Everyone said "we all ski about the same" in the first email, and by day two it was clear that was not quite true. Our advice is to ask each person to rate themselves honestly and then ask one friend to rate them as well. The two answers are often different.

How did we split the days between three ability groups?

We split the group into three each morning and met for lunch at the same refugio at 12:30. This is the single most useful trick for group trips, because it lets everyone ski at their own pace and still feel like part of one trip.

The pattern, every day:

1. 09:00 - meet at the base, split into three groups with a guide for the experts and a guide for the intermediates
2. 09:30 to 12:15 - each group skis its own terrain
3. 12:30 - everyone meets for lunch at the same refugio, as covered in our guide to lunch at the refugios
4. 14:00 to 16:00 - groups re-form, sometimes mixed, sometimes the same
5. 17:00 - back in town for a shared dinner

On two afternoons the experts joined the intermediates and the beginners for one long run together, which the whole group remembered afterwards more than any powder turn.

What went wrong on the trip?

Three things went wrong, and all three are common. On day one a rental boot hurt one of the beginners badly, and we lost the afternoon fixing it. On day three the wind closed the upper lifts, and the group had no plan B. On day five two friends had a small argument about money after a dinner, and it lingered for a day.

Here is how we handled each one:

• Boots: we went back to the rental shop at 14:00 on day one and swapped them, which fixed the problem. Check boots on the first morning, not at lunch, and read our advice on renting skis in Argentina
• Wind: we moved the group to a long lunch and a hot-bath afternoon in town
• Money: we introduced a shared kitty the next night, with one person paying and everyone sending their share the same evening

How should a group handle money on a ski trip?

The simplest way is one organiser who pays shared costs and collects equal shares by transfer or cash at set points in the week. In our group, one friend paid for dinners, transfers and group activities, and everyone paid back at the end of day three and day six.

Argentina adds a complication, because cash and cards behave differently from home. Our money and cash guide for skiers explains what to bring and what to expect. As a rule, do not try to split a restaurant bill eight ways on the table. Agree one payer and settle up later. Also decide before the trip whether the two beginners are paying for the same guide time as the experts, since group costs often differ.

What did the group love most?

The things the group talked about afterwards were not the steepest runs. They were the shared lunch at the refugio, a long afternoon run in good light, an asado on the fourth night, and a rest day at a lakeside cafe. Two of the intermediates said the best moment of the week was watching one of the beginners link turns on a blue run for the first time.

The expert pair got their powder day on day four, after a snowfall of about 25 cm overnight, and skied with a guide in terrain beyond the marked runs. Our guide on powder days at Cerro Catedral covers how that works.

What would we change next time?

We would change four things, and all four apply to any group of eight. First, book a rest day on day four or five, not leave it to chance. Second, book the evening meal at least 24 hours ahead, because Bariloche restaurants fill quickly in July. Third, share one WhatsApp group with all the guides. Fourth, agree on a "no one is left behind" rule on the first morning.

With eight people, the logistics matter as much as the skiing. A good week is one where nobody feels they were a burden to the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can a ski group be in Patagonia? Groups of 6 to 10 work well and can be split into ability groups with two or three guides. Larger groups need more planning, especially for transfers and restaurant bookings.

Can beginners and experts ski together? Yes, if they split in the morning and meet for lunch. A full day of the same pace usually leaves one side bored or exhausted.

Is a group trip cheaper per person? Often yes, because transfers, private guides and apartments are shared, and some operators offer group rates. See our group experiences for how we price and organise them.

When is the best time to book a group trip? For July and August, six to nine months ahead is sensible, since lodging for eight is limited. Our booking timeline lays out each step.

This story was written by the Ski Patagonia Co. team, based on a group trip we guided at Cerro Catedral. The names and details have been left out at the group's request, and the day-by-day pattern is typical of the groups we host.

If you are planning a trip for friends or family, we can build a group itinerary around everyone's ability and budget. Start with Plan My Trip and tell us how many people are coming and how they ski.

Hero photo by boris misevic on Unsplash