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In Chile, ski resorts are within a few hours’ drive of Santiago, the capital. In Argentina, the majority of them are located in North of Patagonia and near Mendoza.
Some ski resorts will amaze you with their views from the top of the ski slopes, as well as the remarkable quality of the snow. Some high-level European teams come to train in these latitudes during the southern winter. Why not take advantage of your vacation in Chile and Argentina to go skiing? Here are some examples of ski resorts that I offer you, knowing that many others are possible and in regions other than those presented below.
The largest ski area in Patagonia
Skiing with spectacular panoramas
Cerro Catedral is the most important ski center in all of South America, located in San Carlos de Bariloche. There are numerous ways to reach the slopes and the snow quality is excellent. The “Cerro Catedral” has 600 hectares of ski area, 34 ski lifts, more than 120 km of prepared and suitable slopes for all styles and levels. The skier will enjoy spectacular views and incomparable snow.
To ski in Bariloche, it’s possible to rent skis on site, surfboards, snowboards, shoes, wetsuits, glasses, etc. And, if necessary, friendly ski instructors are available.
High altitude ski spot
Skiing in Mendoza
The Las Leñas ski area is the sport to go to in Argentina when you love incredible slopes and off-slope skiing. Marte is the only chairlift that serves the top of the area. We are at high altitude, the wind is constant and sometimes extremely violent, which often forces the staff to close the lift. And there, the station then loses a lot of its interest. In front of the chairlift, a multitude of very steep and easily accessible corridors (or even a little too much…).
You also have direct access to the most beautiful visible side of the station, which offers a fairly impressive choice of lines and above all access to a magnificent ridge, offering very tempting valleys and corridors, with approaches ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Spend a moment observing the panorama of this last sector and let your imagination, in need of powder snow, draw curves, each one as beautiful as the next… And not to spoil anything, the view of the Cordillera during the entire climb is breathtaking, even to the most jaded eyes!
To ski in Mendoza, it’s possible to rent skis on site, surfboards, snowboards, shoes, wetsuits, glasses, etc. And, if necessary, friendly ski instructors are available.
One of the best ski resorts in the world
Skiing in San Martín de Los Andes
Cerro Chapelco is located 19 km from San Martín de Los Andes, in the province of Neuquén, surrounded by the great peaks of the Cordillera de Los Andes. This complex is part of the Mountain Range. From its platforms you can admire the Lácar Lake and the Lanín Volcano. The Andean forest has not suffered from any deforestation and has a very special climate, a forest that can be appreciated during the descent along its different tracks dotted with ancient woods, decorated with lichens, called “barbas del diablo”. which gives them a magical and enchanting appearance.
The base of the ski resort is located at 1,250 m and its summit is more than 2,000 m above sea level. This privileged location allows snow cover throughout the southern winter. There you can find excellent Patagonian gastronomy, shops, boutiques, cell phones, ATMs, etc…
To ski in San Martín de Los Andes, it’s possible to rent skis on site, surfboards, snowboards, shoes, wetsuits, glasses, etc. And, if necessary, friendly ski instructors are available.
The oldest in South America
Skiing in Chile
Portillo is a famous winter sports resort in the Andes Mountains in Chile. It’s the oldest ski resort in South America, its creation coinciding with the desire of many mountaineers to climb the peaks of this mountain range. But the establishment of a real ski resort was realized in 1961, thanks to the will of the Americans Bob Purcell and Dick Aldrich.
1966 remains a key date for the ski resort, which hosted the Alpine Ski World Championships, the first and only time these championships took place on the South American continent. These world championships saw, among others, the French victories of Jean-Claude Killy, Marielle Goitschel, Annie Famose and Guy Périllat. During these championships, the skiers of the French team won 16 medals out of the 24 possible.
Located at an altitude of 2,859 meters, with slopes offering a drop of 840 meters, Portillo has the particularity of offering exceptional off-slope. Although hotel capacity remains limited, the ski resort still employs more than 480 people, which represents a unique rate in the world!
To ski in Chile, it’s possible to rent skis on site, surfboards, snowboards, shoes, wetsuits, glasses, etc. And, if necessary, friendly ski instructors are available.
Defy the Andean volcanoes
Skiing on the Patagonian Volcanoes
In Patagonia, in the lake region of Argentina and Chile, there are many volcanoes. At the end of the southern winter, during the months of September and October, it is possible to ski on several of these volcanoes. The spectacle is astonishing and definitely worth experiencing.
I offer you a program of several days, with which you will ski down one volcano per day. Among the best known: the Tronador, Lanín, Osorno, Villarrica, Llaima volcanoes…
To ski on the volcanoes of Patagonia, it’s possible to rent skis on site, surfboards, snowboards, shoes, wetsuits, glasses, etc. And, if necessary, friendly ski instructors are available.
The southernmost ski resort
Skiing in Ushuaia
Mount Castor (Cerro Castor) is built on the southern slope of Mount Krund, 26 km from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world! It is a new complex inaugurated in 1999, located in the fascinating geography of Tierra del Fuego National Park. It has all the services of a real ski center. The ski lifts are of the latest generation.
It also has a variety of slopes and off-slope areas that will suit all requirements. The climate in Ushuaia is ideal for skiing, the snow quality is excellent and the ski season is the longest in South America.
The temperature is stable, between 4° and -2°, which allows the conservation of snow crystals and prevents it from transforming into ice, giving us excellent quality powder snow. Thanks to the low temperatures and the fact that the sun does not always shine on the slopes, because the slopes are strategically placed on the southern slope of the mountain, the snow keeps better and longer. This is how the season extends until spring, that is to say until mid-October, in perfect conditions.
To ski in Ushuaia, it’s possible to rent skis on site, surfboards, snowboards, shoes, wetsuits, glasses, etc. And, if necessary, friendly ski instructors are available.
The beautiful valley in winter
Skiing in Esquel
In the Chubut Province, we find a former small ski center, La Hoya in Esquel. The ski resort has good infrastructure, excellent services and affordable prices. The entire area is overrun with ancient legends, many of them relating to the adventures of the famous US gangsters, Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, outlaws who arrived in this area doing whatever they wanted.
Through American-style repression and European freedom in off-slope skiing terms, “La Hoya” imposes an almost flawless system in terms of safety. The exposure of several of its ski slopes to avalanches fully justifies this mode of operation.
To ski in Esquel, it’s possible to rent skis on site, surfboards, snowboards, shoes, wetsuits, glasses, etc. And, if necessary, friendly ski instructors are available.
