What’s not to love about Argentina.
Whether it’s tango, fascinating Patagonian culture, or Malbec Wine, the South American country is a great holiday destination.
As temperatures rise in the north, the spirit of snow sports is reborn as the Southern Hemisphere winter begins.
Argentina has a formidable terrain blanketed in deep, dry powder, loved by beginners and pros. And with an extended skiing and snowboarding season, you’ll have ample time to shred powder and enjoy the blissful country.
At Brealpa, we know you’re not keen on waiting another six months for a snow adventure. To help you explore the snowy slopes in the south, we’ve created a list of top resorts in Argentina.
So get your gear out of storage, hot wax your boards and skis, and get ready for an unforgettable southern winter experience. As you explore superb cuisine and comfy accommodation, ask about the Valley of the Yellow Firewoods.
1 Las Leñas
The ski field was built in 1983 and was the site of the Winter Pan-American Games in 1990.
It is one of the largest ski resorts in South America, famed for its massive skiable area and often thought to exceed Canada’s Whistler Blackcomb. Its ski fields are some of the most accessible in Argentina.
The resort’s excellent all-rounder terrain with steep chutes and descents makes it a popular destination for world-renowned athletes. In addition, the snowfield has some of the best accommodation facilities and has a great après-ski and nightlife.
The Las Leñas area is also known for its wine tours from lush Argentinian vineyards.
How To Get to the Las Leñas Resort
Las Leñas resort is located in Mendoza province in eastern Argentina. It is nestled within the Andes and far from any major city, with the closest one being 5.5 hours away.
Visitors arrive via the Comodoro D.R. Salomón Airport in Mendoza, about 349 kilometers away. From Mendoza City, transfer options include shuttle busses and rental cars. You may also take a short flight from Buenos Aires to Malargüe, about an hour’s drive from the resort.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Las Leñas
The resort receives a decent amount of snowfall annually, with a seasonal best of 6 meters. It uses 30 snow machines scattered around the mountain to compensate for low snowfall.
The ski field occupies a vast 17,500 hectares, with 29 trails adding up to 52 kilometers and accessed through 14 lifts. It has a varied terrain with gnarly features loved by more advanced skiers and snowboarders.
The snowfield has one of the longest trails in the Southern Hemisphere. The trail is about 7 kilometers, located on a gentle slope suitable for beginners and intermediates. The green and blue areas descend a mild 1000-meter drop.
Key Highlights of the Las Leñas Resort
- Diverse activities, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
- The resort is open during the summer months with activities such as mountain biking, horse riding, climbing, and hiking
- A vibrant après-ski with a great nightlife
2 Cerro Catedral
This is Argentina’s most well-developed modern ski resort and Patagonia's go-to skiing and snowboarding destination.
Cerro Catedral is Spanish for “Mount Cathedral.” It is named so because of its powdery granite spires shaped like a medieval gothic cathedral.
The resort has an international feel, making it popular with tourists and locals. It has an easily accessible terrain with various skiing activities, including randonée, Nordic, alpine, and off-piste skiing. In addition, skiers, snowboarders, and tourists get treated to magnificent views of the National Park Nahuel Huapi and Mt. Tronador.
The resort is a frequent location for hosting international snow competitions such as the downhill parade.
How To Get To the Cerro Catedral Resort
The resort is located about 20 kilometers from San Carlos de Bariloche. It is situated within the Nahuel Huapi National Park in the lake district of Rio Negro.
Visitors arrive via the San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC) airport, about 30 minutes from the resort. Bariloche City is a mere 25-minute drive via a paved road to the resort.
From the airport or Bariloche, you may take the shuttle buses that leave every 30 minutes. You can also take taxis to the resort, which will help you beat traffic. However, renting a car is the best way to connect to the resort.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Cerro Catedral
Due to its high altitude, Cerro Catedral receives a lower average snowfall of 6 meters. As a result, the resort has invested in snowmaking equipment to compensate for the reduced snowfall.
The ski field is South America's largest lift-accessed terrain, covering an extensive 1,200 hectares. It has a vertical drop of 1,150 meters and 120 kilometers of trails, served by 22 lifts.
The terrain is classified as follows:
- 15% beginner
- 60% intermediate
- 20% advanced
- 5% expert
Key Highlights of the Cerro Catedral Resort
- A remote on-mountain hut system for extended skiing trips
- Tree skiing
- Ski schools for all ages and levels
- Great nightlife with amenities such as pubs, restaurants, and internet cafes.
3 Cerro Chapelco
The resort is named after the mountain on top of which it sits.
The ski resort has been awarded the Best Ski Resort in the country from 2018 to 2020 by the World Ski Awards.
Cerro Chapelco is popular with tourists due to its proximity to the San Martin de Los Andes, a Swiss-like vacation resort town. The town also lies in the picturesque region of the enchanting Lake District Villages.
The resort is the only snowfield in Argentina powered by renewable energy. It is also the only ski field that is a part of Protect Our Winters, a climate-focused movement.
Skiers and snowboarders get treated to stunning views of Volcan Lanin and the beautiful turquoise water of Lake Lácar.
How To Get To the Chapelco Resort
The ski field is located in Lanín National Park, southwest of Neuquén Province. The closest town is San Martin de Los Andes, about 12 kilometers away. You can take a 20-minute ride from this town via shuttle bus or rental car on the Ruta 234 highway.
The closest airport is Aviador Carlos Campos Airport, about 13 minutes away. From the airport and the town, you can take inexpensive vans that shuttle revelers to the resort. You can also take a weekend bus that departs from the San Martin bus terminal.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Chapelco
The resort receives an average of 3 to 5 meters of snowfall every season. However, snow guns compensate for the low natural snow, keeping revelers entertained.
Chapelco occupies a massive 1,600 hectares of skiable terrain, with 22 trails adding up to 45 kilometers, served by 13 lifts. The terrain is variable and has trails suiting all abilities, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders.
The resort’s terrain is classified as follows:
- 40% Beginner
- 30% Intermediate
- 15% Advanced
- 15% Expert
The resort is family-friendly, with week-long vacations in Chapelco and San Martin. However, pro athletes also enjoy the resort as part of a great Patagonia skiing or snowboarding tour.
Key Highlights of the Chapelco Resort
- Skiing and snowboarding lessons for all ages and abilities
- A slew of activities including racket trekking, dog sledding, cat skiing, and snowmobile rides
- Great onsite equipment rentals
4 La Hoya
This resort has the longest winter season, and due to its terrain’s orientation to the sun, it has the best snow in Argentina.
It sits on a wide, almost circular bowl and runs into a narrow area. This gives the resort a family-friendly atmosphere. It has plenty of activities to keep the whole family engaged, from randonnée skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.
The terrain is varied and includes gentle slopes for beginners and intermediates. There are also off-piste and backcountry opportunities for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
La Hoya has excellent accommodation options, with comfortable lodging and dining options. It includes two cafés, La Piedra and Del Refugio, and a hotel at the base of the hill.
How To Get To the La Hoya Resort
The resort lies 13 kilometers from Esquel City, on the northwestern side of Chubut in Patagonia. Paved routes join La Hoya with Neuquén, Puerto Madryn, Bariloche, and Trelew. The resort is located at the gateway to the scenic Los Alerces National Park.
Visitors arrive via the regional Esquel Airport from places such as Buenos Aires. There’s also an alternate route via the Bariloche Airport if you are visiting the airport along with other resorts such as Cerro Catedral.
You can take shuttle buses from the airport that offer convenient transfers to the resort. Alternative transfer options include taxis and rental vehicles.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love La Hoya
The unique geographical location of this resort guarantees excellent snow conditions that last all season. It receives a seasonal average of between 7 and 10 meters, ensuring deep fluffy powder all season.
The resort sits on 60 hectares of variable terrain with 24 trails totaling 22 kilometers. The longest trail in this resort is over 5 kilometers, down a gentle slope. It has 12 lifts that transport over 4,000 skiers and snowboarders per hour.
The terrain is classified as follows:
- 10% green trails for beginners
- 30% blue runs for intermediates
- 40% red trails for advanced skiers
- 20% black runs for expert snow lovers
The resort is a family-friendly destination with wide beginner tracks on gentle slopes. It also has excellent accommodation facilities for families, groups, and individuals. La Hoya also has chutes, bowls, off-piste, and backcountry opportunities for expert skiers and snowboarders.
Key Highlights of the La Hoya Resort
- Inexpensive lift tickets
- Less crowded than other resorts in the region
- Skiing and snowboarding school for all ages and abilities
5 Cerro Castor
This is the southernmost resort in the world and is touted as skiing at the “end of the world.”
It is a medium-sized resort with state-of-the-art facilities located on Mount Krund. Its proximity to Antarctica and cold temperatures ensure a long winter sports season, lasting from June to October. This location also has smooth and thick snow, perfect for activities such as cross-country skiing.
Besides skiing and snowboarding, Cerro Castor offers other activities, including ice skating, snowmobiling, and sledding.
Thrill-seekers are treated to magnificent views of snowcapped mountains and the Beagle channel.
The resort is also the venue for the Freestyle Slopestyle World Cup.
How To Get to the Cerro Castor Resort
Cerro Castor is 26 kilometers from Ushuaia, on the city's northeast end. This is in the southernmost end of Patagonia in the Tierra del Fuego Province.
Visitors arrive in Ushuaia by air via a 3.5-hour flight from Buenos Aires. Several transfer options exist from the airport, including daily shuttle busses, rental cars, and taxis. The road to the resort is paved, and it takes 15 to 30 minutes to the resort, depending on traffic conditions.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Cerro Castor
Cerro Castor has the most reliable snow in Argentina’s Patagonia. It receives an average snowfall of about 5 to 6 meters per season. Several snow guns are scattered throughout the terrain to top up the natural snow.
The resort has about 1600 acres of skiable terrain with 26 trails served by 21 lifts. The terrain has gentle slopes for beginners and intermediates and ample off-piste trails for expert skiers and snowboarders.
Cerro Castor’s terrain is classified as follows:
- 30% for beginners
- 30% for intermediate level
- 25% for advanced skiers
- 15% for experts
The ski field has many useful amenities, including retail shops, ski gear rental services, and medical facilities.
Key Highlights of the Cerro Castor Resort
- Modern fast lifts
- A skiing and snowboarding school with experienced and multilingual instructors
- Excellent accommodation facilities with apartments, cabins, restaurants, and bars
With Brealpa’s Help, Your Next Winter Holiday Destination Can Be Adventure-Packed and Unforgettable
If you’re looking to escape the northern summer, the snowy mountains of Argentina have some of the best ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere.
Aside from the beautiful landscape and the rugged scenic mountains, ski resorts in Argentina have terrain that favors skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. With a long winter sports season lasting from June to September, you’ll have a great time shredding powder in the South American country’s Patagonia.
If you’re planning for your next winter holiday to the Southern Hemisphere, Brealpa can help you make a well-informed choice. We provide you with practical, first-hand information on:
- Resorts with top-tier accommodation options
- Inspiration for snow activities to keep your whole family engaged
- Snow conditions in popular resorts
- How to get to the resorts
