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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 Guide

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 Sepúlveda
Co Founder & Lead Guide

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        


Francisco Bocaz
Co Founder & Lead 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



Fabián "Harry" Flores
Guide

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.


Jose Neira
Guide

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

What Our Customers Says


  • Just wanted to thank you for an excellent few days of touring with the team at BackChillan.  We really enjoyed ourselves, it was the highlight of our entire trip to Chile. You were well prepared, we learned a lot and saw some amazing terrain and Ben is ready for his next ascent.  We felt safe at all times and appreciated your patience as I was behind!

    Adam Gridley
    Boston, USA
  • Cheers man! So great to meet you, and I hope that we cross paths again someday. That day will go down as the best ski touring day I've ever had.

    Nathan Masopust
    Thailand
  • Gracias BackChillan!!! ( Manu, Pipe y Panchi). Gran equipo de profesionales. Saludos desde Calafate, Patagonia!
    Rodrigo Haardling
    El Calafate, Argentina
  • These guys are great. I have no reservations in recommending them. It is 20 years since I did any real touring. I had three days with Felipe and Manuel, introduction to modern (post-telemark) touring gear and off-piste safety, and some fabulous skiing. They impressed me with their concern for safety of guests and themselves, and ensuring that we ski in a party with similar abilities. Pre-tour email exchanges ensured they understood my hopes, to be adventurous but within my fitness levels, it's a long time since I was 24 and "robust". Meeting the day before ensured I understood their offering and they my abilities. I was impressed with their professionalism, their experience, and on top of that they are just really nice people enjoying the snow. I hope to be back next year.    
    Richard Silverstein
    -
    Australia
  • Touring in the Nevados de Chillán was beyond amazing. The terrain is simply breathtaking and very accessible from the top chair lift.Having such a vast area of amazing, virtually untouched skiing within easy touring distance, was something truly special compared to most places in North America and Europe I've been to. I was very impressed by the professionalism and friendliness exhibited by our Backchillan guide, Filipe. I especially appreciate the high attention to avalanche safety, as well as making sure to tailor the experience to the skill level of each participants. To top it off, having lunch while sitting in the hot waters of Aguas Calientes and then skiing down the beautiful Valle Hermoso made this a truly special experience!

       
    Erik Junberger
    -
    Stockholm - Sweden