Destiny on a Powder Day — The Story Behind Esnativa Ski South America

A chance encounter in Bariloche

We ran into each other by chance, both walking on a day of powder snow and blue skies. Neither of us knew at the time that it was destiny that had brought us together. We had no idea we’d become great friends, let alone partners — and that we’d end up talking to each other more than to our own girlfriends.

That day, he told me they were working on a video project in the mountains around Bariloche and kindly invited me to join. I remember asking if the cameraman flew drones… haha, thinking back now, what a silly question! In fact, I met his racing drone before I met him — and he first saw me through his camera lenses rather than in person.

When friendship meets the mountains

Great friendships are forged by destiny… on days of powder snow and blue skies. I often wonder if any of it would have happened if Agus or I had walked just a bit slower that day, or if the skin had come off, or if a hundred little things had gone differently. But no — from that moment on, nothing was the same.

The very next day, I met Pato’s drone — it buzzed right past my helmet. What an epic day. After that run, I hiked back up and finally met him in person. I suggested to the three of them that we go for a run that I was sure hadn’t been skied yet. Agus couldn’t join — he had to go talk to the Wattis. But Martín and Pato agreed without hesitation, even though they didn’t know me and it was already around 3 p.m.

That run would be etched in memory. The way Pato filmed it, the aesthetic of the place — it was a true work of art. The video even got shared by some major Instagram pages, including MSP, one of the biggest ski film companies in the world.

Shooting for the love of it

The following year, with no budget but tons of motivation, we got together again to shoot. Just for the love of it. For the passion, the teamwork, the visual art — no clear plan, no set goal. Just filming whatever happened.

We had already gone on two outings and had some beautiful footage. Then Pato saw a post: that same night was the deadline for a mountain sports video contest held by Outside Magazine, a huge outdoor media outlet in the U.S. and worldwide. He edited the piece in two hours, rushed it through — and we submitted it just five minutes before the deadline!

The result? We won a major award.

A friendship that became Esnativa

For all of this, I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have crossed paths with Agus that day. Everything we’ve achieved has come from passion and effort.

From friendship to Esnativa International

The following year, Agus invited me to ski with him and his American clients — Watti, Art, and John. What an unforgettable trip we had — and how much deeper our friendship grew, between runs and beers, laughs and dances.

Agus would tell me about his project, and I found it really interesting. I also saw him as a mature, hardworking, and passionate person. I liked the way he looked at things, the way he approached life and work.

At the end of that winter, I suggested we join forces. He said yes.

And that’s how ESNATIVA International was born — out of a friendship, born from a shared passion for skiing and for life in the mountains.e mountain,
– Niki