South America Ski Trips - Best South America Ski Resorts

This updated travel guide will teach you everything you need to know about the best skiing in South America.

Let's dive right in, the ski season in South America starts in June!

Skiing in South America: Welcome to skiing in the Andes Mountains

Snowboarding and skiing in the Andes mountain range during the northern hemisphere summer is one of the most impressive experiences in the world and a must-do activity on any snow lover's bucket list.

As the longest mountain range (4,300 miles) with the second highest peaks on the planet, the Andes not only provide a lifetime adventure, but reverse seasons that allow northerners to escape the hot days of summer and keep "Winter" alive. endless".

Although Latin America is home to 20 countries (South America has 12 sovereign countries), only 2 countries are home to ski resorts that are worth visiting: Argentina and Chile. The ski resorts of Bolivia and Peru no longer exist, but they host some important high-mountain backcountry skiing opportunities. We have decided to focus this guide on the best snow sports destinations and ski resorts in Argentina and Chile.

Top South American ski resort destinations (detailed in Chapter 2) are often ranked as some of the best ski resorts in the world. Destinations range from local snow sports operations to world-renowned ski resorts and winter sports destinations with high-end accommodation and modern lift infrastructure.

The relaxed atmosphere of the ski resorts in Argentina and Chile means that most days there are hardly any queues at the lifts or many people on the slopes.

If you want to go further in adventure, there is a seemingly endless amount of backcountry skiing, backcountry skiing, and splitboarding opportunities.

Off the ski slopes, snow sports resorts and local towns in both Chile and Argentina offer a fabulous gastronomic offering paired with the wines for which both countries are famous. South Americans love to party and the lively nightlife can last until dawn.

Combine your summer ski trip in South America with a wine tasting trip, a visit to Santiago or Buenos Aires, or any of the other easily accessible pre- or post-trips, and you have the makings of a spectacular summer vacation.

Furthermore, Chile and Argentina are very familiar. With school holidays in the northern hemisphere, a ski trip to South America could very well be the best family summer vacation.

Ski resorts in South America

South American ski resorts operate during the winter and spring months of the southern hemisphere, from June to October.

Travelers can expect great, high-quality, internationally renowned ski destinations, such as Portillo and Valle Nevado resorts in Chile.

Las Leñas and Catedral stations are the mega winter sports destinations in Argentina. In fact, Cerro Catedral, just outside the city of Bariloche, is the largest ski resort in South America.

The smallest and least known Latin American ski resorts are the Chapelco resort and the boutique Cerro Bayo, in Argentina, and the Pucón, Antillanca, Osorno and Corralco resorts, in Chile. These smaller Andean resorts are nestled in Jurassic-looking ancient forests, with stunning scenery and no crowds (except for a few three-day, two-week weekends in mid-July during the school holidays).

Below you will find the maps of the main ski resorts in Argentina and Chile, as well as our opinion on the ranking of the best ski areas in South America.

The best ski resorts in South America

The number one question we get is...

"What is the best ski resort in the Andes?"

After more than 20 years exploring dozens of South American ski resorts, we still find the question difficult to answer.

Because?

Because like skiing in Canada, each ski resort in Chile and Argentina has its own charm and most travelers arrive with different interests, expectations, skill levels and deadlines.

However, as a general rule:

• Nevados de Chillán, Chile has one of the most consistent and deep snow packs, out of bounds freeride fun with terrain naturally carved by ancient lava flows. Chillán is also one of the few destinations with tree skiing and hot springs.
• Las Leñas, in Argentina, has the most rugged terrain, huge backcountry and energetic nightlife.
• The ski resort of Valle Nevado and Ski Portillo, in Chile, have very welcoming hotels for skiing, dry powder snow, quality prepared slopes, international ski schools and first-class cuisine. Not to mention that they are the easiest to access from the international airport.
• The resorts of Argentine Patagonia are essential for their mix of alpine terrain, tree skiing, mountain access, culture, food and nightlife.

Our experts have compiled extensive user guides with travel tips and ski resort reviews to our favorite destinations in both Chile and Argentina.

Adventure Travel Tip: Smaller destinations at the base of Chile's steaming volcanoes should not be overlooked, as skiing on the slopes of an active volcano is found in few places on the planet. At the end of the day you can soak in natural hot springs under the canopy of an ancient forest and monkey puzzle trees. Truly unforgettable. Check out this guided Chile backcountry adventure exploring Chile's iconic volcanoes and cozy accommodations over 7 nights/8 days.

The best time to ski in South America

The ski season in South America runs from June to October, but can sometimes start as early as mid-May and extend into early November. For example, Corralco in Chile did not close until November 4 during the 2019 ski season.

The middle two weeks of July are school holidays in South America. The queues at the lifts and the prices for tickets and accommodation are higher.

The rest of the season, with the exception of a few three-day weekends, is very quiet, especially compared to North American ski resorts.

How is the snow in South America?

Weather and snow conditions are unpredictable in the Andes, more so than in ski destinations in the United States, and the weather can vary considerably depending on the month and where you travel. Snow quality in South America falls between the Pacific Coast type of snow found in resorts in British Columbia and when skiing inland in Whistler, and the dry powder snow seen in the stations in Utah and even Japan. (although obviously not as consistent as what you'd find on a ski trip to Hokkaido).

Andean storms are usually large and leave a lot of fresh snow followed by blue skies. They are periodic and not continuous, but with so few people on the mountain, powder days can last longer than what is seen in an American resort.

The high altitude of the Central Andes and the ski resorts (all within easy reach of Santiago, Chile) help preserve powder snow for weeks. If you're a mountain expert, willing to earn your turns and/or join a week-long guided ski tour with certified ski guides, you can find preserved winter powder even in a below-average season .

Mid to late June can surprise with great discharge and truly exceptional conditions, but on average the best time to ski in South America is the end of July, all of August and the first two weeks of September, but even at the beginning of September Temperatures are warming and a mix of winter and corn snow (melted and frozen snow, only second best to powder snow) is the norm.

For ski touring and splitboarding, from the end of July the Andes have enough time to accumulate snow, and touring options can last until mid-October outside the seasons.

For 100% human backcountry tourism, the Chilean volcanoes and Argentine Patagonia offer quality snow from July to mid-November. Check out this 7-day expert cabin ski touring and splitboard adventure.

How to get to South America ski destinations

It may seem like a long trip, but in reality, getting to ski destinations in South America is much easier than you think.

There are numerous overnight flights to Santiago de Chile (SCL) and Buenos Aires (EZE) from North America, Europe and Australia, most of them non-stop from major hubs.

From United States

American, United, Delta, Latam (which only flies to Chile) and Aerolíneas Argentinas offer non-stop flights from Miami, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Houston. American Airlines offers direct flights to Argentina from Los Angeles, but many of its flights from LAX to Santiago have a stopover in Lima, Peru, so be sure to check that when booking. Check Hopper for flight deals.

From Canada

There are only direct flights to Santiago and Buenos Aires with Air Canada from Toronto. Flights from Calgary, Vancouver and other major Canadian cities pass through Toronto or a hub in the US (it's best to depart from Toronto and avoid the extra customs clearance in the US).

From Australia

There are already direct flights to Santiago from Melbourne and Sydney with Qantas. Flights to Buenos Aires from Australia are more complicated, with one or two stopovers and a long trip time. If you don't need to fly to Buenos Aires, one trick is to fly to Santiago, Chile and then take a short 55-minute flight over the Andes to Mendoza, Argentina. From here, the trip to Las Lenas is done by land.

From Europe

The companies Air France, Alitalia, Latam, Iberia, British Airways and Norwegian offer direct flights from Madrid, Rome, London and Paris.

Arrival in Santiago

Santiago's location is similar to a flight to Denver, CO, or Salt Lake City, UT, with close proximity to ski resorts, typically a 90-minute to two-hour drive.

In fact, night flights with early arrival times mean you can be skiing at Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado and Portillo ski areas by lunchtime. Arpa adventure skiing is also nearby and not to be missed for advanced powder hounds seeking a true Andean remote experience.

The southernmost Chilean resorts can be reached quite easily via a short domestic flight or ground transportation such as a train, sleeper bus, private transfer or rental car.

Arrival in Buenos Aires

Unlike Santiago, there are no ski resorts near Buenos Aires, so it is necessary to connect with a domestic flight to reach the Andes region.

Some flights departing from Buenos Aires require you to change airports, so be sure to leave time for these connections.

Getting from one airport to another in the city is fairly easy, with options ranging from private transfers with English-speaking drivers to public bus shuttles and, of course, traditional taxi services (known as remis). If you speak Spanish, Google "Tienda León" to find several transfer options that can be booked online.

Skiing in Argentina vs. Chili

Another frequently asked question we receive is how to compare the quality of skiing between Chile and Argentina.

Let's geographically break down skiing in Argentina versus skiing in Chile:

Central Chile and central-eastern Argentina

Ski Centers in Chile: Portillo, Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado Argentina Ski resort: Las Leñas

These ski resorts are all above the timberline, situated at high altitudes and receive drier snow than their southern counterparts. On average, they may receive less snow than Patagonia.

The steepest ski resort in the southern hemisphere is located on the slopes of Las Leñas and its surrounding areas. Please note that it can take a long time for the Las Leñas lift team to unearth the Marte chairlift after a big storm, so expect some downtime with this famous lift.

Skiing in Chile's Portillo and the lesser-known La Parva (one of our favorites due to the low influx of skiers and the terrain only for advanced skiers) also offers some steep slopes. The snow remains cold and dry most of the season.

Chile's Valle Nevado means "snowy valley" for good reason. Due to its location, the international resort tends to catch the most snow compared to the neighboring resorts of La Parva and El Colorado. That said, a trip to the lesser-known resort of El Colorado should not be ruled out. You will find a lot of prepared terrain, large off-piste bowls and one of the most legendary off-piste areas in Chile.

Northern Patagonia/Lake District

Ski Centers in Chile: Corralco, Pucón, Antillanca Argentina Ski resorts: Chapelco, Cerro Bayo

All of these Patagonian resorts can receive a lot of precipitation, but temperatures can occasionally rise and that snow can turn into rain. The good news is that storms usually end fresh, so the rain usually turns back to snow, adding more fresh snow to the deep bases.

Tree skiing in South America

While you won't want to focus your trip south of the border exclusively on tree skiing (as some do on this Hokkaido powder trip to Japan), tree skiing is better in Argentina compared to Chile.

You will experience well spaced and more upright trees. The best tree ski areas are around Bariloche (covered in the next section), Cerro Bayo (Villa La Angostura ski resort), and the Chapelco ski area outside San Martín de Los Andes.

In Chile the trees are found at much lower levels in each of these southern stations, resulting in heavier snow and shorter tree runs.

Of the resorts in this region, Argentina has by far the best climate and generally better infrastructure, better terrain and better overall skiing. However, our guests continue to be drawn to the Chilean side by the relaxed local culture, lush landscapes and the opportunity to climb and ski tour active volcanoes.

Skiing on the volcanoes of South America

Chile's snow-capped volcanoes rise above lush green pastures. For a unique skiing experience off the beaten track, visit the Lonquimay volcano (Corralco) and the Villarrica volcano (Pucón). With a little organized planning, you can ski several Chilean volcanoes in one trip. Splitboard and ski touring experts should check out this advanced guided volcano ski touring adventure >

Patagonia

Chilean tourist centers: Nothing worth mentioning. Let's hope that in the future more infrastructure will arrive in Chilean Patagonia. There is great ski terrain and stunning scenery. Stations in Argentina: Alta Patagonia-Catedral and La Hoya

Alta Patagonia, near Bariloche, in Río Negro, has invested millions of dollars in recent years and is now one of the best ski resorts in South America. Open alpine basins with stunning views of surrounding Patagonian peaks and glacier-cut lakes. Skiing in the trees, in an ancient forest. Access to truly epic terrain. It is a family resort with one of the best ski schools in South America.

La Hoya, in Chubut, is much smaller, but has a good level of skiing and is worth a visit. It is also one of the coldest areas in Argentina for skiing, so the powder snow remains pure and the season can last well into October. So, to summarize, in Patagonia it's Argentina or nothing.

Wait, what about the Nevados de Chillán in Chile?

Chile's independent ski destination, Chillán, lies between the Central Valley and the Lakes Region, combining the best of both regions: good snowfall and drier conditions, and a good mix of alpine and tree skiing, with a huge volcano that can be explored for days with one of our qualified guides on selected guided trips.

South American ski resorts compared to those in North America and Europe

There are two key differences when comparing ski resorts in the Andes with those in the northern hemisphere.

No worm for early risers In general, you have to wait for a later start than is customary in most tourist centers in the northern hemisphere. The 7:00 a.m. rush to get to the tram line simply doesn't exist in the Andes. Most ski resorts open at 9:00 am, but on-mountain operations can be delayed until mid-morning for no apparent reason.

When there is fresh snow or a storm underway, these delays can be even longer. However, due to the greater amount of natural light, you can also ski later in South America. Some stations do not stop launching the lifts until 5:30 p.m.

Resort Infrastructure If you are used to the comforts of North American ski resorts, you will find the infrastructure of some resorts more rustic, especially the speed and layout of the lifts. Groomed slopes and slopes are not what you find in Colorado USA, and the dangers and boundaries of the mountain are not as vigorously marked.

But does all this really matter?

It's a question of perspective. Simply put, South America operates at a different pace and with a different mentality.

The good news is that everything balances out. Some lifts may be slower, but 45-minute queues are virtually non-existent in the Andes (some exceptions: Bariloche's Cerro Catedral on busier weekends. Las Lenas Marte chair on a powder day).

Plus, there aren't thousands of skiers fighting down those untrodden powder runs. If you come with an open mind, you will find this part of the world fascinating and often comfortably relaxing. And also, ski in August!

Ski touring and Splitboard in South America

Ski resorts? No, thanks. Cat-skiing, heli-skiing, human-powered ski touring tours, and splitboarding are great options that will allow you to practice some of the best backcountry sports in South America, if not on Earth.

Splitboard and ski across Argentina's remote, majestic peaks and glaciers. Earn your ski turns around steaming Chilean volcanoes and remote temperate forests.

If mechanized adventures are more your style, South America is home to cat ski, sled, and heli-ski assisted trips that can feed your skiing soul with up to 1,500 meters of vertical descent in a single run.

The terrain for backcountry tourism in South America is enormous. Easy access from most ski areas in Chile and Argentina opens up a world of adventure for skiers and riders with climbing skins and a sense of adventure.

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Conclusion: Go out, travel and live your life to the fullest.

This year, treat yourself to a break from the ordinary and seek an adventure abroad. You'll come back refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to bore all your friends with travel stories.

Any time of year is a good time to travel. Discover the best places to travel by month:

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

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