La Historia de CASA Tours
It all started in 1998, when CASA commenced operating the first guided ski and snowboard tours of the Chilean and Argentine Andes. With more than 900 guests since, CASA has learned the intricacies of skiing and traveling in South America, and established itself as the premier South American ski and snowboard tour operator and devoted resource for travelers. Today we visit a dozen South American ski resorts and offer 7 unique tours in Chile and Argentina from July through September. 40% of our guests are repeat customers returning to CASA Tours to ride the amazing terrain of the Andes and reunite with their friends in the Southern Hemisphere.
Founded by best friends Jeremy Thomas and Aaron Bear Chan, CASA became a success due to their passion for riding the Andes, sense of humor, hard work ethic, reliability, attention to safety, and intimate knowledge of the Chilean and Argentine cultures, landscapes, and mountains.
In 2007, CASA Tours experienced another landmark in its evolution, long time CASA guide and friend – Dave ‘Gomez’ Johnson - purchased CASA Tours from Aaron and Jeremy as a sole proprietor. Dave comes from an extensive guiding background, and has skied, traveled and adventured all over the globe. He is dedicated to continuing and improving the quality of CASA Tours for years to come.
CASA is a grassroots organization whose mission is to increase exposure to South American landscapes, mountains, and cultures. CASA is about traveling safely in the mountains; introducing our guests to new places, people, cuisines, language and customs; achieving personal ski and snowboard goals; and developing lifelong friendships and memories. By building cultural bridges and embracing sustainable travel principles, we hope to promote global peace and prosperity while introducing people to some of the best skiing and snowboarding on the planet.
CASA Tours Staff
M David Johnson (Gomez) - President & Owner
Dave Johnson, aka “Gomez”, hails from topographically challenged Connecticut. At the age of 18, he moved west to the Rockies where he graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Since 1996 he has had a PO Box in Bozeman, Montana splitting time between North and South America. Dave worked as a guide in the adventure travel industry for more than a decade, running active vacations throughout the Americas in order to support his rabid travel habits and ski addiction. Dave began guiding for CASA in 2002, purchased the business in 2007, and has led all the trips CASA offers. Dave’s on-mountain skills include: American Avalanche Association Levels I & II Cert, 12 years EMT certification, 6 years Big Sky ski patrol, and 4 years guiding/instructing at Moonlight Basin.
Craig Ross - Director of Operations Argentina
You won’t find many Argentine-born Scotsmen in the world, and even fewer that are as skilled in the mountains as Craig Ross. Don’t let his Scottish accent fool you, Craig was born near Buenos Aires and spent the last 15 years living in Bariloche. A certified Argentine Association Mountain Guide (AAGM) Craig is in charge of CASA’s Argentina operations. Craig and his wife Sylvia are raising their 2 daughters Sarah and Camila to be Bariloche’s future rippers and climbers.
Travis Toelkes - CASA Guide
Travis spends his North American winters guiding skiers and snowboarders around Montana’s Yellowstone Club. Travis comes from Northern California and worked in the adventure travel industry for the last 10 years. Travis is a PSIA Level 3 certified snowboard instructor, holds his Level 1 American Avalanche Association certification, and Outdoor Emergency Care certification. Travis is also a licensed massage therapist. Although Travis loves the snow he also enjoys traveling the world in search of remote surf breaks.
