How South America Trains IFMGA Guides: Argentina, Chile and the Three No Ski Associations of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador | IFMGA Mountain Guides
South America has five IFMGA members. Argentina and Chile are full members whose training includes skiing; Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador are No Ski associations. All teach in Spanish (an inference for Chile and Bolivia, which do not say). Bolivia is the most transparent on fees (US$11,700 in total for 2025) and has a process for foreign candidates; Peru runs a 3-year technical degree; Chile joined only in 2024 and charges CLP 7,270,000 for the high-mountain stage in 2026–27; Argentina's GPAM requires an Argentine tax ID, so foreigners need residence first.