Note: The following words have been provided by Tom Winter of the Freeride World Tour.

Earlier this month, on September 4th and 5th, the small, remote ski area of Penitentes, Argentina hosted a Freeride World Qualifier event. The comp came together quickly, in the wake of a series of epic storms that pounded the Andes and took stoke levels high.

Organized with a unique Argentine flair, where hospitality took precedence over details, the event came alive with a global group of athletes who descended on this remote outpost to ski some amazing terrain, drink plenty of vino tinto and soak up the beauty of this spectacular part of the Andes.

The two days of competition featured firm, wind-buffed snow, but bluebird sunshine blessed the comp. The venue has plenty of promise and word has it that once some of the organizational blips get ironed out that Penitentes has the potential to become a mainstay on the FWQ circuit.

Until then, it’s a great place to compete or just freeski, with vast hike-to terrain lurking high above the ski area’s six lifts, well worth the visit and with the advantage of being much more affordable than the better-known Portillo, which sits just on the other side of the Andes across the border in Chile.

Men’s Results:

[table id=95 /]

Women’s Results:

[table id=96 /]