Most people in the Northern hemisphere aren’t aware of South America’s incredible ski and snowboard terrain.
This is probably because it takes longer to get there. Most winter holiday companies also focus their marketing budget on local ski resorts
However, when skiers and snowboarders learn about the potential of South American ski resorts, they quickly add them to their bucket lists!
In this article, I’ll highlight the best ski resorts in South America:
- La Hoya, Esquel, Argentina
- Nevados de Chillan, Chile
- Cerro Catedral, Argentina
- Cerro Bayo, Argentina
1. La Hoya, Argentina
- Elevation: 1,850m (6070 ft)
- Trails: 24 runs covering 148 acres.
- Snow Parks: 1 (small one)
- Lifts: 9
- Off-Piste: Lots of nice steep stuff!
Description:
La Hoya Ski Resort may be a small Argentinian ski resort, but it has a whole lot of history attached to it. For example, this is where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hung out in the 1930s.
La Hoya still has that historical charm, and combined with incredible powder and terrain, it creates a unique experience for skiers and snowboarders.
Due to the altitude and local geography, La Hoya is mainly treeless. The small ski area is only 60 hectares (148 acres) but it has runs to suit all abilities. Most of the runs are suitable for intermediate and advanced riders, and there is a small snowpark for practising your freestyle.
If you're into steep and deep, La Hoya has you covered. There's a lot of backcountry terrain featuring steep chutes, cornices, and bowls.
La Hoya's snow coverage is well known for its reliability and depth. The area gets 8.9m (350") of dry snow each winter. Most of the slopes face south, so the snow is kept in good condition while extending the season from June to October.
Fun Fact:
When La Hoya opened in the 1940s, it was only accessible by horse!
- Excellent powder
- Not very touristy
- Easy to get fresh tracks
- As it is an old mining town, some parts are unattractive
Lift Ticket Prices
A day pass will cost around ARS 4470, which is about $26. The cheapest in South America!
How To Get To La Hoya
La Hoya is 14km (about 8 miles) from Esquel on the RA 259. It’s also about 282km (175 miles) from the Lake District. It’s best to fly into Esquel.
2. Nevados de Chillan, Chile
- Elevation: 2,500m (8202 ft)
- Trails: 32
- Snow Parks: 1, but it's often closed
- Lifts: 12
- Off-Piste: Lots of easily accessible backcountry
Description:
Nevados de Chillan is certainly one of the best ski resorts in South America. It sits next to three active volcanoes, offering views you won't get in any other ski resort. It is the perfect spot for beginners and intermediate riders, but it also offers exciting terrain for advanced riders. The backcountry slopes are the result of lava flows from historical eruptions.
Heading into the Nevados de Chillan backcountry lets you score epic powder lines away from the crowds.
Nevados de Chillan is quite a large ski resort and is home to South America's longest run, the 13 km-long Tres Marias. It also has a 2,500m long chairlift, which is quite old-fashioned, but it gives you a much needed 24-minute rest.
Nevados de Chillan receives the most snow in South America, and it's easy to access, allowing you to easily claim first tracks. There are many beginner and intermediate skiers in Nevados de Chillan. Therefore, they usually stick to the easier slopes; consequently, you'll often have the tasty terrain all to yourself.
Fun Fact:
The Nevados de Chillan Ski Resort used to be called Termas de Chillan. It is renowned for its natural hot springs (termas), where you can rejuvenate your sore legs after smashing all that powder.
- Fantastic and interesting backcountry terrain
- Great snow cover
- Pretty much deserted outside of the school holidays
- Relax in thermal springs in your downtime
- Slow lift system. Although it is gradually being modernized.
- Bad weather often causes the higher lifts to close
- The hotels on the mountain can be pricy
- Not that easy to get to
- Not great for English-speaking kids
- Zero nightlife
Lift Ticket Prices
Lift tickets are usually included in the price of your lodgings when you stay in one of the on-mountain hotels. This one is particularly nice and well worth checking out.
How To Get To Nevados de Chillan.
Fly into Santiago and head to Nevado de Chillan as part of a multi-day tour on a bus or hire car. Alternatively, you fly to Concepcion and take a bus or train to Chillan, and get a transfer to the resort.
3. Cerro Catedral, Argentina
- Elevation: 2,180m (7152 ft)
- Trails: 55 runs across a huge ski area!
- Snow Parks: 1
- Lifts: 37
- Off-Piste: Lot of good stuff when the snow is good
Description:
Cerro Catedral (aka Catedral Alta Patagonia) got its name from the granite spires at the top of the mountain - thay resemble a gothic church. The area attracts skiers and snowboarders with its awe-inspiring views and relatively modern infrastructure.
The resort has spent millions of dollars to bring it up to scratch. But it also has a village at its base, which is unusual in South America.
Cerro Catedral has the largest lift-accessible area in South America, and about half of it is in the backcountry. With this in mind, Cerro Catedral is enjoyed most by intermediate and advanced riders. However, there is some excellent beginner terrain too.
If you like riding through trees, Cerro Catedral is a fantastic place to go. While the bowls and chutes in the backcountry are excellent for advanced riders.
The main negative of Cerro Catedral is that the snow can get pretty wet, affecting the quality of the powder. The snow can be quite patchy, too, due to the low altitude. But when the snow is good, it's really good! (The resort gets 6m of snow every winter).
Fun Fact:
Catedral Alta Patagonia's longest descent is 9 kilometers long!
- Great backcountry terrain
- Well-developed by South American standards
- The snow quality can be unreliable
Lift Ticket Prices
Around 5900 Argentine Pesos ($34) per day for an adult. But there are deals to be had.
How To Get To Cerro Catedral.
Cerro Catedral ski resort is about 20km from San Carlos de Bariloche, which has its own airport. You can get to Bariloche on a 2-hour flight from Buenos Aires.
There are regular buses from Bariloche to Cerro Catedral, but you can also hire a car.
4. Cerro Bayo, Argentina
- Elevation: 1,710 m (5610 ft)
- Trails: 25 runs covering 494 acres
- Snow Parks: 1
- Lifts: 16
- Off-Piste: Plenty but needs strong snow cover
Description:
Cerro Bayo is one of the best ski resorts in South America. It's an Argentinian resort that has evolved into a unique boutique destination offering something entirely different from other South American ski resorts.
It has incredible views over the Andes and Chile. The views over Lago Nahuel Huapi are nothing short of spectacular and can be seen while you ride the fantastic tree-lined slopes.
The marked ski area is pretty small, but the backcountry is comprehensive and ideal for advanced riders with a thirst for powder. You can enjoy some excellent tree runs and alpine bowls in Cerro Bayo, but there are some nice mellow runs that anyone can enjoy.
Cerro Bayo receives an average of 6 to 9 metres of snow during the winter. The quality of snow is as variable as the amount. You can get fantastic powder with a dry consistency or choppy mashed potato-style snow. It can also be quite patchy, as the altitude is only 1,050m.
Fun Fact:
In 2007, Cerro Bayo was started as a small, family-run resort by Belgian, Jean Pierre Raemdonck.
- Amazing views
- It's becoming a classy ski resort
- Uncrowded slopes
- Fresh powder is easy to come by
- Good variety of terrain for all skill levels
- Bad weather often closes the higher lifts
- There's no accommodation, so you need to stay in Villa La Angostura, which is gorgeous
- The snow can be patchy
Lift Ticket Prices
An adult day pass costs between 5000 and 7100 Pesos ($28.50-$41) depending on the time of year.
How To Get To Cerro Bayo.
Cerro Bayo is 9km/5.6 miles from Villa La Angostura, which is one hour from (70km/43 miles) San Carlos de Bariloche, and 1.5 hours from San Martin de Los Andes.
Most people get to Cerro Bayo from Villa La Angostura via the Bariloche airport. You can then rent a car or take a bus to Villa La Angostura, where the accommodation is.
Final Thoughts
The best ski resorts in South America are well worth a visit. You’ll especially love them if you’re a powder hound, even more so if you’re lucky enough to time your visit with good snowfall and great weather.
Some of these resorts are great for spending a week or two, but others are best for a flying visit while you’re in the area. After all, it would be rude not to experience the infamously dry powder of the Andes!
If however, I haven’t managed to convince you to visit South America, there are plenty of amazing ski resorts in North America. Go check them out…
Happy riding!
