Backchillan Backcountry Guides was founded and its running by a group of 3 friends passionated about the outdoor sports and adventure, and we have a strong commitment to provide a high quality service to our guest, wether your are looking to have fun, to learn or to challenge yourself in your ski trip to South America. We have been running since winter 2012 based out of the magical mountain town of Las Trancas, Chile; at the base of the Nevados de Chillan volcanic complex, formerly known as Termas de Chillán Ski Resort.
After finishing his Industrial Civil Engineering degree Manu went full on following his love for the mountains. He is a certified ANGM Mountain Guide (Asociación Nacional de Guías de Montaña - Chile), CSGA Level 1 Ski Guide (Canadian Ski Guide Association), CSIA Level 3 Ski Instructor (Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance), he holds a CAA Avalanche Operations Level 1 and is a Basic Avalanche Educator Member of the CAA (Canadian Avalanche Association), also have an AIARE Level 2 (2014) Avalanche Certifications, he is a Certified Hiking Guide in the Torres del Paine National Park in the Chilean Patagonia, a Wilderness First Responder and a member of the Chilean Search and Rescue Organization - Socorro Andino de Chile since 2013, Trained in Glacier Travel, Crevasse Rescue and Advanced Ski Mountaineering techniques in the Canadian Rockies. Manu has more than 20 years of experience skiing different mountain ranges and 10 years of ski mountaineering in the most beautiful volcanoes of the Andes. Internationally he's been exploring the beautiful snowy peaks of Rogers Pass, around Revelstoke in British Columbia, and also spend time in the Northern Japan island of Hokkaido. When it's not winter or he can't ski, he enjoys rock climbing, hiking, playing music with friends or planning his next adventure along with a good cup of coffee.
Felipe is a mountain lover; this mountaineer dad lives with his family in Valle Las Trancas year-round. Passionate about mountain sports, Pipe is a Level 1 ski instructor certified by ENISSCHAG (Chile's National Ski School). He is Certified Level 1 PMBI Professional MTB Instructor (Canada) and a PMBIA Kids instructor. Additionally, he has completed the Wilderness First Aid Course (WFR), Glacier Travel, Crevasse Rescue and Rope Work Techniques Courses (ENAM - Escuela Nacional de Montaña), and the Leave No Trace program by NOLS. He holds an AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Certification (2014) and has been a member of the Chilean Search and Rescue Organization (Socorro Andino de Chile) since 2013. Pipe is currently training to become a Certified Ski Guide in Chile with the ACGM (Asociación Chilena de Guías de Montaña y Escalada). Pipe has over 15 years of experience skiing in various locations and backcountry skiing on the volcanoes of the Andes. He is the president of a community club responsible for trails, MTB school, and a ski school. When he is not skiing, he enjoys spending time with his family, mountain biking, Big Mountainbike rides, or bikepacking through Las Trancas in search of new routes. He also enjoys woodworking and playing music with friends. Instagram @pipe.sepulveda.a
Panchi is a graduated Technician in Mountain Adventure. His home mountain is Las Trancas town, where he spent most of his time gaining experience and crafting his love for the mountain sports. Panchi is a Certified Level 1 Ski Instructor from ENISSCHAG (Chile`s National Ski School). He holds an ANENA (France) Level 2 avalanche certification, AIARE Level 1 avalanche certification, AST 2 avalanche course, also a Wilderness first responser course and backcountry skier with more than 15 years of experience. Professional Mountain Bike Instructor (PMBI) Level 1. When is not winter, Panchi spends his days guiding mountain biking, doing enduro bike packing, exploring the valley with long hikes into the wild, trail builder and enlarging the trail network on days off. Fluent in English and in the Aprés
Fabián "Harry" Flores is a graduate of Technician in Mountain Tourism. Harry has the certifications of Professional Mountain Bike Instructor PMBIA Level 1 (Canada), Ski Instructor Level 1 ENISSCHAG, Avalanche Certification AST 2 - Avalanche Skills Training (Canada), Remote Area First Aid Certification WFR - Wilderness First Responder, He has training in Glacier Progression, Crevasse Rescue and Technical Rope Work, he is an active member of Chilean Search and Rescue organization since 2017, Harry is also a Level 1 Professional Skiman AESKIMAN - Spanish Skiman Association. Passionate about sports and mountain life, Harry can be found in his workshop preparing equipment, planning new adventures or climbing with his partners. When it is not winter he is working hard in the mountain bike trails in las trancas and teaching this sport to the new generations.
José Neira León studied Expeditions and Ecotourism Engineering at Universidad San Sebastián. Today he teaches at the same school. A native from Santiago, he always wanted to live in the mountains, a childhood linked to sports between the sea and the mountains. He defined Las Trancas as the perfect place between mountain, nature, sport and community. He works as an expedition guide, ski mountaineering and mountain biking guide. José holds certifications in the field of wilderness safety WFR and WAFA. He has done expeditions along the Andes mountain range in countries such as: Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia. Lover of high altitude and high mountains. He has participated in training in Vertical Rescue (RANDIS), Glacier progression and ski mountaineering. In his spare time Jose likes to work with tools, he is a construction enthusiast, he maintains and creates trails in the valley with his mountain club. Skiing and biking for him is the perfect combination to spend the year always on the move
