About Us

Home / About / About Us

Backchillan Backcountry Guides | Chile

Freeride & Backcountry Experiences

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.

Backchillan Team




Manuel Olivares
Co Founder & Lead Ski Guide

After finishing his Industrial Civil Engineering degree Manu went full on following his love for the mountains. He is a certified 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 (Canadian Avalanche Association) and AIARE Level 2 (2014) Avalanche Certifications, he is also a Certified Hiking Guide in the Torres del Paine National Park in the Chilean Patagonia, is a Wilderness First Responder and he is also a member of the Chilean Search and Rescue Organization - Socorro Andino 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, the last couple years he's been exploring the beautiful snowy peaks of Rogers Pass, the Selkirks and Monashee Mountains around Revelstoke in British Columbia. 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 Sepúlveda
Co Founder & Lead Ski Guide

Freeski Backcountry + 10 years experience, PMBI Profesional MTB Instructor, Big Mountainbike,  Tiny House builder, Climb, percussions. Pipe is a Certified Level 1 Ski Instructor from ENISSCHAG (Chile`s National Ski School). Holds an AIARE Level 2 avalanche certification, Wilderness First Responder, Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue Course - ENAM, Rope Work Techniques Course - ENAM,  Leave no Trace - NOLS, Vital Support trained. Member of the Chilean Search and Rescue Organization - Cuerpo Socorro Andino - since 2013.

       


Francisco Bocaz
Co Founder & Lead Ski Guide

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


What Our Customers Says


  • Thank you so much for inviting me along on the heli adventure.  It was one of the highlights of my trip.  I'm looking forward to our next meeting.  If you land something in the mountains then please let me know so I can bring some friends.
    Regards Ski Family!
     
    Bily Biscoe
    -
    Virgin Islands - USA
  • You took us on awesome adventures, made us feel very calm and relaxed and no pressure. You both have a very accommodating vibe which makes the day very enjoyable. I loved that you where able to split the group up on our first day so that some people could go home and some could do another run. It worked really well. Also the photos were an added bonus, everyone loves them. I will be returning next winter hopefully with more groups and I hope we can work together again.
    Rachel Findler
    CEO
    -
  • It has been now a year that we travelled to beautiful Chile. One of the things that made our time so special in Chile was our Splitboard Tour with lovely, funny and kind Francisco of BackChillan. The tour was very professional and well chosen for beginners. But at the same time not at all boring, just amazing and beautiful. Francisco had answers to all of our many questions and taught us so well how to behave in case of an avalanche. We still love to remember this amazing tour always facing the ash spitting volcano. It didn't felt like being on tour with just some random Guide, it nearly felt like spending time with a good friend. Thank you Back Chillan, Thank you Francisco for this special part of our trip.  
    Jenny & Manuel
    Germany
  • Excelentes días en el valle Las Trancas, a los pies del Nevado de Chillán, junto a nuestros amigos de BackChillan conocimos Valle Hermoso, Valle Aguas Calientes y las montañas nevadas de la región del Bio Bio. Lindo Lugar.

    Fernando Armani, Bariloche, Argentina
    -
  • Thank you for the tour. We had a wonderful time and it was a very special experience to go to Aguas Calientes. We will certainly recommend your touring service to other backcountry skiers.

    Robin, California, USA