If you want to really experience Chilean culture and ride some of the best snow and terrain on planet earth then STEEP-N-DEEP is a must! Ian is an experienced snowboarder, photographer, artist and an amazing guide on top of being an incredible person in general. From the city of Santiago for a Chile history lesson and beautiful architecture, to the beaches of Vina Del Mar, Con Con and my favorite Valparaiso for some great seafood, amazing art and beautiful sunsets on the pacific coast, to the Andes Mountain ranges of the three valleys of Valle Nevado, El Colorado and La Parva and down to the Termas De Chillan for endless pow and terrain, this is guaranteed to be a trip of a lifetime! - Curtis Woodman, Pro Snowboarder, Arbor Snowboards
Our recent trip to Chile started off with a bang. Ian met us at the airport, took us right to the hotel and then we hit the town. It was huge not having to worry about any of the details once we got there (especially after just getting off a 15 hour flight and not speaking any Spanish). Santiago is a great city, and Ian’s intimate knowledge of its history coupled with his current local’s view, elevated our experience to a whole other level. After an entire day exploring the city including more than a few Pisco sour pit stops, a couple great meals, some history, a mountain top sunset and a late night on the town, we were already ready to consider the trip a success. Then we got to the skiing, which was definitely among the best I’ve ever done. Unfortunately, the winter down there had been as weak as we had in the north in the 2011/2012 season and Ian made a fabulously clutch call the week before we flew down to switch our reservations from the mountains around Santiago to head a bit further away, to Termas de Chillan. This was just one of several times during the trip when Ian proved himself invaluable, as the skiing down there was fantastic, and without his ‘boots on the ground’ take on the current environment/conditions and his connections to the various resorts, we would have flown half way around the world to ski dirt patches. After just a few hours into our first blue bird powder day, we knew we had made the right call and were lucky to have chosen the right guide. It’s also certainly worth noting that Ian is an incredibly skilled photographer. That we left Chile with hundreds of professional quality photos, taken both on the mountain and off, documenting our whole experience, was a distinguishable luxury not lost on us. Ian happily worked within our budget to provide us with an unparalleled South American experience, that I am certain could not have been matched by either trying to plan the trip by myself or using a different guide service. - Dylan Elkind, NYC Entrepreneur
If you're up for an adventure this summer you should look no further and book a STEEP-N-DEEP tour! Snowboarding in the middle of August is awesome, but there is so much more to this tour that you will enjoy. You really get a bit of everything; beautiful sights, delicious food and wine, and a unique cultural experience. Not to mention the photos Ian takes of you are priceless. When I arrived in Santiago I wasn't sure what to expect, but Ian navigated us around the city always making sure we were in the right place at the right time. One of the first things he introduced me to was a little treat called the Pisco Sour, it was delicious and the perfect start to a great trip! After a night in Santiago we made our way up to the mountains, they were stunning! I wasn't blessed with a snowstorm during my trip, but still had lots of fun riding. I loved the hotel Ian brought us to, location was convenient, staff was very friendly and they served us delicious breakfast and dinner everyday. I felt completely safe there and never had to worry about stuff that I left in the room. After a few days of riding we headed to Viña Del Mar on the of coast of Chile. While we were there I had some of the best seafood of my life! It was fresh and inexpensive. We also checked out a few clubs in the city, one had six floors with different types of live music on each floor, and a sweet rooftop. The only bad part about this trip was leaving. I felt like the week I spent there flew by, but I had seen and done so much in that short amount of time. I had a great time on this trip, I would do it again in a heartbeat and I wouldn't do it any other way, except I would stay longer! If you go to Chile with SND you will be in great hands and have the time of your life! Enjoy! - Jackie Adamcewicz, Manager, SNO Haus
If you are reading this and thinking about booking a trip with STEEP-N-DEEP I have two words for you: DO IT!! The week my friends and I spent in Chile will be something I remember and think about for the rest of my life, thanks in large part to Ian and SND. From the moment we got off the plane Ian was on point and in control. He handled everything from arranging transportation and hotels, to knowing where to find the best empanada and Pisco sour, to finding the sneaky powder stashes on a windswept day. Throughout our trip everything was well planned and thought out, and when conditions beyond our control altered those plans; Ian was always ready with an alternate course of action that was sure to please the entire group. Ian's extensive knowledge of the cities and the mountains of Chile, local hotspots, culture, and his acting as a translator (the Chilean dialect is very difficult to understand, even for someone who speak Spanish relatively well!!), proved to be invaluable time and time again. I went down to South America in search of some mid-summer powder turns; thanks to Ian we found that and much, much more. With Ian's friendly and knowledgeable leadership and guidance, I not only shredded some of the most unbelievable terrain I have ever seen, but left feeling I had seen what Chile is all about, and not just the mountains. He is a man who truly loves what he does, and wakes up every morning looking to show you all the best that Chile has to offer no matter the conditions. So if you are looking for some amazing snowboarding and an insider's peek into Chilean life don't hesitate, start planning your trip with Ian and SND today!!
- Lucas Perkins, Engineer, MASS DOT highway
I dislocated my arm while hitting a big backcountry kicker in Chile. Ian was instrumental in helping me navigate the Chilean healthcare system. He was with me every step of the way. At the hospital, Ian translated the doctor’s comments and helped keep me calm. I would have been in serious trouble had Ian not been our guide. He even helped me negotiate a cheaper bill! I highly recommend STEEP-N-DEEP South American Powder Tours when riding in Chile. - Greg Zolman, NYC Stock Broker
