Argentina's ski season runs from late June to mid-October — which means that while the European resorts are closed and showing in summer prices, the Andes are under deep snow and the lifts are running. The ski Argentina proposition is not simply skiing at the right time of year. It is world-class mountain terrain, significantly lower prices than comparable European or North American resorts, and the ability to combine skiing with wine country, Patagonian wilderness, and Buenos Aires in a single journey.
Cerro Catedral, Bariloche: The Main Stage
Cerro Catedral is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere and the centrepiece of ski Argentina for most international visitors. The resort sits above Bariloche and Nahuel Huapi Lake — a setting that is, by any standard, extraordinary. On a clear day from the top of the lifts, the panorama of Andean peaks reflected in the lake below is as dramatic as anything you will find at a European resort.
The mountain has 119 marked runs across approximately 1,200 hectares of skiable terrain, served by 36 lifts with a vertical drop of over 1,000 metres. For intermediate and advanced skiers, the variety of terrain is excellent — long groomed runs for cruising, steeper pitches for those who push their skiing, and significant off-piste terrain for those who want to explore beyond the marked routes.
Our ski and snow experiences in Bariloche include private instruction, lift pass coordination, and off-piste guiding for those who want to explore beyond the marked runs. The Wine, Lakes & Mountains journey is our dedicated itinerary combining Mendoza wine country and Bariloche ski in a single eleven-night sequence.
Las Leñas: For Expert Skiers and Powder Hunters
Las Leñas is remote, uncrowded, and among the most technically demanding and rewarding ski resorts in the world. Located in Mendoza province, five hours south of the city by road, it is reached by flying to Mendoza and driving into the mountains.
The mountain is extraordinary in scale and difficulty — some of the longest and deepest off-piste runs in the world, heli-ski routes that descend 2,000 metres through untouched powder, and annual snowfall that guarantees conditions. Las Leñas attracts serious skiers from North America, Europe, and Australia who come specifically for the off-piste terrain.
Combining Las Leñas with Mendoza wine country — skiing in the morning and vineyard visits in the afternoon — is one of the most unusual and rewarding pairings in Argentine travel.
Chapelco: Families and Intermediates
Chapelco, near San Martín de los Andes, is the quieter, more family-oriented alternative. Smaller and less challenging than Catedral or Las Leñas, but the setting above the lake district is beautiful and the resort has a more intimate feel. For families with children learning to ski, Chapelco is an excellent choice.
Ski Argentina vs Chile
Chile's ski resorts — Valle Nevado, Portillo, El Colorado — are generally better-known internationally and have strong lift infrastructure. Portillo in particular is legendary: a single hotel above a frozen lake at 2,880 metres, with a self-contained ski week culture that has existed since the 1940s.
Argentina wins on price (considerably lower than Chilean equivalents), on the terrain at Las Leñas for expert skiing, and on the ability to combine skiing with wine country, Buenos Aires, and Patagonian wilderness in a single itinerary. The Argentina & Chile journey for winter departures allows you to ski both countries in sequence.
Best Time to Ski Argentina
July and August offer the most reliable snow depth and the best conditions across all resorts. July is peak season. August has the same conditions with slightly fewer crowds.
September offers spring skiing conditions — softer snow in the afternoon, excellent in the morning — and significantly lower prices. An underrated month.
June opens the season with variable conditions but minimum prices and maximum quiet.
Planning a Ski Journey
Our ski experiences are designed for international visitors who want to ski well. Private instruction from local guides who know the mountain's hidden terrain, lift pass coordination, and accommodation arranged to maximise time on the snow. Talk to us about your skiing level and dates and we will design the right Andean ski experience.
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