Argentine Patagonia is home to South America's best ski resorts, offering quality snow, extraordinary scenery and a season running from June to October. Cerro Catedral in Bariloche is South America's largest ski resort with 120 km of runs and views of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Chapelco offers top-quality powder snow. Cerro Bayo is a boutique resort skiing through forests. Cerro Castor in Ushuaia (lat -54.75, lng -68.32) is the world's southernmost ski resort with the longest season.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires → Bariloche | 1640 km | 2 h 20 | 22 h | 18 h |
| Buenos Aires → El Calafate | 2700 km | 3 h 15 | 40 h | 35 h |
| Buenos Aires → Ushuaia | 3050 km | 3 h 35 | 50+ h | — |
| Bariloche → El Calafate | 1490 km | 1 h 45 | 28 h | 24 h |
| El Calafate → Ushuaia | 600 km | 1 h 15 | 18 h | 14 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | High season | |
| Feb | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | ||
| Mar | 6° / 18°C | 50 mm | ||
| Apr | 3° / 14°C | 70 mm | ||
| May | 0° / 10°C | 90 mm | ||
| Jun | -2° / 6°C | 110 mm | Ski season | |
| Jul | -2° / 6°C | 120 mm | ||
| Aug | -1° / 8°C | 90 mm | ||
| Sep | 1° / 12°C | 60 mm | ||
| Oct | 4° / 16°C | 40 mm | ||
| Nov | 6° / 19°C | 40 mm | ||
| Dec | 7° / 21°C | 40 mm |
Ski Resort Comparison
Cerro Catedral — South America's Largest
20 km from Bariloche. 120 km of runs across 40 pistes (beginner to expert). 38 lifts. 1,030 m vertical drop. Spectacular views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the Andes. Day pass: from USD 40-60. Best variety and infrastructure in South America.
Chapelco — Powder Snow and Family Atmosphere
19 km from San Martin de los Andes. 28 pistes across 140 hectares. Famous for powder snow quality. More family-oriented and exclusive than Catedral. Day pass: from USD 35-55.
Cerro Bayo — Boutique Among Forests
9 km from Villa La Angostura. 20 pistes through coihue and lenga forests creating a unique atmosphere. Smaller and more exclusive. Day pass: from USD 30-50.
Cerro Castor — World's Southernmost
26 km from Ushuaia. 34 pistes across 600 hectares. Argentina's longest season (mid-June to mid-October). Natural snow almost guaranteed. Beagle Channel views from upper runs. Day pass: from USD 35-55.
Ski Season
- June: Season opening. Fresh snow, few skiers. Good prices.
- July (winter holidays): High season. Maximum crowds, highest prices. Good snow. Book everything ahead.
- August: Excellent accumulated snow. Longer days than July. Less crowded. Probably the best month.
- September: Spring skiing. Longer, warmer days. Good prices. Ideal for beginners.
- October: Season closing at most resorts. Cerro Castor may operate until mid-October.
Practical Information
Equipment Rental
All resort bases have rental shops. Full ski kit (skis, boots, poles): USD 20-35/day. Full snowboard: USD 25-40/day. Lessons: USD 40-60/hour (private) or USD 25-40 (group). Renting in town is usually cheaper than at the resort base.
Accommodation
Bariloche: the widest range, from USD 15 (hostel) to USD 300 (premium hotel). San Martin: from USD 20 to USD 250. Villa La Angostura: from USD 25 to USD 200. Ushuaia: from USD 20 to USD 250. Book ahead for July.
