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Stories: Ecuador Ring of Fire

Mountain adventures create the best stories, and we want to share some of ours with you. Dive into Alpenglow Stories to stay up to date on expeditions in the field, read blogs, and get tips and tricks from guides.

2025: A Year in Review at Alpenglow Expeditions

As 2025 comes to a close, we have been taking a moment to look back. Not just where we went, but how we showed up, and who we shared it with.
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Skiing the World: A Look at Our International Ski Expeditions

At Alpenglow, we’ve built our international ski trips around more than just skiing. Each destination offers its own rhythm — from bottomless powder to high-alpine volcanoes, from European valleys to the sharp spires of Patagonia. Here’s how they stack up.
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Skiers ascend a glacier through crevassed terrain under dark, cloudy skies.

One Itinerary, Two Styles: Climb or Ski Ecuador’s Big Volcanoes

With Alpenglow Expeditions, you can do either—on the same 16-day itinerary. The Ecuador Climbing School and the Ring of Fire Ski Expedition both summit Cayambe (18,996’ / 5,790m), Chimborazo (20,564’ / 6,268m), and either Cotopaxi or Antisana, depending on mountain conditions.
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Skiing Through Prehistory: Why the Ring of Fire Feels Primordial

There’s something surreal about skiing on an active volcano. Steam rising from vents, snow underfoot, and dense jungle at the trailhead. It feels otherworldly. But there’s a reason these places feel so ancient: they are.
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Two ski mountaineers on a snowy slope of a volcano in Ecuador with Alpenglow Expeditions' professionally guided ski mountaineering trip to Ecuador's Ring Of Fire.

Ski the Ring of Fire!

Ever wondered what skiing a volcano is like? Come put your backcountry skills to the test on some of the tallest volcanoes in the world!
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Beyond the Summits: Immersive Andean Culture on the Ecuador Climbing School

Climbing Ecuador’s towering volcanoes isn’t just about the summits. The Ecuador Climbing School  offers an immersive experience that goes beyond the physical challenge of ascending peaks like Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. From visiting vibrant indigenous markets to tasting traditional highland cuisine, the expedition introduces climbers to the rich culture of the Andean highlands.
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A skier stands on a blank snowfield beneath the summit of Cayambe and cloudy skies above.

From Backcountry Skier to Ski Mountaineer on Ecuador’s Ring of Fire

If you’re looking to delve into the world of ski mountaineering, the Ecuador Ring of Fire Ski Expedition is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills while perfecting familiar ones in a unique high altitude environment. This expedition offers hands-on experience on some of Ecuador’s most spectacular volcanoes: Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo.
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Tahoe Intermediate Backcountry Tour

Breaking Down Alpenglow’s Backcountry Ski Expeditions

We offer three distinct backcountry ski & ride expeditions to cater to a wide variety of backcountry enthusiasts. Below, we’ll break down the three expeditions: the Ecuador Ring of Fire, the Japan Backcountry Ski, and the Chile Backcountry Ski Expedition.
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Ski mountaineers on the summit of a volcano in Ecuador with Alpenglow Expeditions' professionally guided ski mountaineering trip to Ecuador's Ring Of Fire.

Courses & Trips To Learn Ski Mountaineering

So you’re looking to go from backcountry skier or splitboarder to stepping into bigger, steeper terrain? Here are the courses and trips that we offer that will help you do just that
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One of the volcanoes in Ecuador's Ring Of Fire.

Quiet Rage and the Limits of Mountains

A client recounts the transformative experiences in the mountains while on our Ecuador Ring Of Fire Ski Mountaineering Expedition.
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