From the Andes to Alaska: A Journey into the Heart of the Chugach Mountains

From April 10th to 20th, we embarked on a journey from the southernmost point of the world to the wildest corners of the North: Valdez, Alaska. A trip that, beyond skiing, was about sharing, learning, and connecting with that raw energy that only the purest mountains can offer.

It all started with an invitation. James W, a friend I’ve skied with for three consecutive seasons in Chile, introduced me to Tyson Bradley, a guide and founder from Utah Mountain Adventures. Along with Raymond A, another friend of James, we formed a crew driven by curiosity, a thirst for exploration, and the desire to experience firsthand one of the most legendary backcountry and heli-ski destinations in the world.

For me, the journey began in Santiago, flying to Chicago to meet up with James and Ray. We were lucky; both of them had several years of experience skiing in Alaska and knew the logistics like a well-practiced dance. After catching a flight together from Chicago to Anchorage, we rented a truck, packed all our gear in a perfectly executed game of Tetris: skis, backpacks, layers, boots, and hit the road. Essentials first: we stocked up at a local grocery store, making sure we had everything from Tyson’s favorite bitter chocolates to beers, and the ingredients for what became, hands down, the best sandwiches in Alaska.

The five-hour drive to Valdez was a reminder of just how vast and untamed Alaska is. We crossed glaciers, endless forests, and mountains that seemed to grow taller with every mile. The landscape was something out of a dream; the Chugach Mountains rise dramatically from the ocean fjords, creating a stunning and humbling scene that feels light-years away from home.

Once near Valdez, we finally met Tyson in person. We passed by the base of VHSG, where Tyson was waiting for us, ready to join the adventure. Meeting him face-to-face after so much anticipation added a whole new level of excitement to the trip.

Valdez itself is like something out of a storybook: a small port town with just enough, everything essential but nothing extra. During this time of year, it becomes a gathering point for riders and guides from all over the world, drawn by the magnetic pull of the mountains. Despite feeling like the end of the world.

We spent six days exploring Valdez and the surrounding areas, like Alyeska, Turnagain, and especially Thompson Pass, about 45 minutes from town. Thompson Pass is a true playground for all skill levels, with wide-open lines, consistent snow, and quick access to dream-like terrain. The weather was classic Alaska: moody and unpredictable, with heavy snow, rain, dense clouds, and occasional golden windows that we immediately jumped on to fly and do heli-drops.

While heli-skiing was an amazing part of the experience, the true heart of the trip was backcountry touring. Skins on, packs loaded, and a shared rhythm of moving through the wilderness together, mind and body fully in sync with the landscape. There’s a special connection that forms when you’re out there, a silent understanding between you and the mountain, and between those you share the experience with.

Being in Alaska is humbling. It shows you how small you are, how powerful nature can be, and yet it connects you to something much larger. The trip was also an incredible opportunity to observe how local operations run, connect with companies on the ground, and build new relationships that continue to inspire us at Esnativa.

Our group dynamic was key to making it all happen. We shared everything: music, laughs, frustrations about the weather, and turned every moment into a memory. With only two restaurants in town, we quickly found our favorites and became regulars, repeating meals and jokes as if we had been living there for years.

Alaska left us with more questions than answers, but with the certainty that we were part of something special. It’s wild, remote, and challenging. It’s a place that reminds you why we do what we do, because the real journey is in the discovery.