Ski the Ring of Fire!
If you’ve ever dreamed of skiing volcanoes on the equator, now’s your chance on our Ecuador Ring of Fire Ski Expedition!
This expedition is designed for experienced backcountry skiers and riders who want to explore high-altitude glaciated terrain, sharpen their ski mountaineering skills, and make turns on some of the tallest volcanoes in the world. Over 16 days, we’ll climb and ski Cayambe and Cotopaxi, explore Chimborazo, and experience Ecuador’s vibrant Andean culture.
Why Ecuador?
Ecuador offers some of the most unique ski mountaineering terrain on the planet. With multiple peaks above 18,000 feet, the Andes here are glaciated, accessible, and surrounded by rich culture and wild landscapes. The itinerary is carefully designed to allow for proper acclimatization while maximizing time in the mountains.
What to Expect
This 16-day expedition starts in Quito (9,350’) with acclimatization hikes and skills training before attempting ski descents on:
Cayambe (18,996’ / 5,790m): The only major mountain located directly on the equator, Cayambe features large glaciers and excellent skiing conditions.
Cotopaxi (19,347’ / 5,897m): One of the highest active volcanoes in the world, Cotopaxi is known for its stunning symmetry and long summit descent.
Chimborazo (20,564’ / 6,268m): We’ll wrap up the expedition trying to ski Chimborazo – the highest point in Ecuador and the farthest point from Earth’s center due to the equatorial bulge.
Who It’s For
This trip is built for experienced backcountry skiers and splitboarders with prior mountaineering and glacier travel experience. You should be:
Confident using crampons and an ice axe
Comfortable skiing steep, variable snow in control
Familiar with rope systems and glacier travel
Physically prepared for full summit days at altitude
If you’ve done Shasta or have spent a lot of time in the back country and want to push higher, Ecuador Ring of Fire is a natural next step.
We’re heading to the equator to ski massive volcanoes—and you can come with us.
Questions? Let’s Talk
Reach out to Griffin Mims, our International Client Manager. He is happy to answer your questions and can help you decide if this trip is the right fit.
📩 Email: griffin@alpenglowexpeditions.com
📅 Book a Call with Griffin HERE.
Other Expeditions You Might Like
Mount Shasta Ski – A classic California peak for ski mountaineering training and glacier travel skills.
Patagonia Backcountry Ski Expedition – Ski remote lines in the rugged peaks of Cerro Castillo, Chile.
Volcanoes of Chile Ski Expedition – Explore remote volcanoes and rich culture in southern Chile’s Araucanía region.
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