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The end of the ski season is always bittersweet in the Northern Hemisphere, but while it’s winding down up north of the equator, South America is just getting started. For those chasing the thrill of the perfect line, there are 12 of the best ski resorts in South America.
There are two real options when planning a ski trip to South America: Argentina and Chile. But that’s where the simplicity ends. From large-scale resorts with full-service hotels, like Chile’s Valle Nevado, to cozy, small mountains like Argentina’s Cerro Bayo, there’s something for every type of skier and boarder. There’s also a ton of terrain variety, from the vertigo-inducing vertical at Argentina’s Las Leñas to the beginner-friendly runs at Portillo and the impressive terrain park at El Colorado.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan an epic (summer) ski vacation, like when to go, where to stay, and how to pick the best ski resort in South America for your group.
Have You Heard? U.S. Resort Operator to Create Largest Ski Area in South America
Valle Nevado boasts an impressive 2,400 skiable acres. (Photo: Courtesy of Valle Nevado)
This large mountain resort sits just 90 minutes from Santiago, Chile, and offers something for everyone. The mountain has a whopping base elevation of 9,925 feet, features 2,400 skiable acres, and can traverse to two other sister resorts. As a mega bonus, kids 12 and younger are always ski free. Try heli-skiing with up to 5,000 feet of vertical drop for something even more thrill-inducing. Of course, don’t just take our word for it: the mountain is also known as a popular summer training ground for Olympic ski and snowboard teams from around the world. The resort was recently purchased by Mountain Capital Partners and accepts the Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective, and Power Pass.
Best time to go: Open from June 17 through October 6. The best time to go is mid-July to mid-August
Off the mountain: The resort features three full-scale ski-in/ski-out hotels (all at different price points) and plenty of restaurants so you never really need to leave to enjoy a ski vacation. There’s also a new on-mountain restaurant accessible via a six-passenger gondola with mountain-inspired food and Chilean wines.
Who will love it: Large groups who want to spend all their time ripping and leave room for a great après without leaving the resort; families with young kids (since they ski free) and who want to stay together with available connecting rooms.
Like its neighbor Valle Nevado, La Parva also sits close to Santiago—just over an hour away—at an altitude of more than 9,000 feet. The mountain has runs for all levels, from beginner groomers to International Ski and Snowboard Federation-approved downhill runs for expert skiers, and features more than 200,000 acres of backcountry skiing. The mountain was also just purchased by Mountain Capital Partners, which will now offer Power Pass holders seven interconnected days at La Parva and sister resort Valle Nevado. In total, the mountain has 14 lifts and 40 named trails.
In total, the mountain has 14 lifts and 40 named trails.
Best time to go: The resort typically opens in June and remains open until early October. The best time to go is August.
Off the mountain: The resort features more than 1,200 places to stay, including private condos that come complete with heated pools, ski-in/ski-out access, grills, and more. There’s also time to enjoy the mountain without a pair of skis with a guided 3-hour snowshoe tour.
Who will love it: Expert skiers and riders, thanks to a plethora of expert terrain and a high-altitude freeskiing zone. No wonder international teams from the U.S., France, Slovakia, and more use the mountain as a training center.
This Patagonian mountain, which has been delighting guests for decades as one of the oldest resorts in Argentina, is perfect for those just starting out thanks to a wide beginner slope and a new beginner lift added last year. However, it still offers great runs for experts intent on exploring the powdery off-piste areas. The summit, which sits just 6,800 feet above sea level, receives more than 157 inches in annual snowfall — and the dry snow makes for easy turns. But the mountain is on the smaller side, with only 30 total runs and nine lifts.
Best time to go: The resort opens in July and closes in October. For great snow, the best time to go is from July to September.
Off the mountain: Hop on the Las Lengas chairlift for spectacular views, or grab a bite at one of the high-altitude restaurants. Last season, the resort upgraded with a new surface lift for the beginner area. Most visitors stay in the nearby town of Esquel, which they can fly to from Buenos Aires.
Who will love it: Travelers who prefer to ski and retire to a town setting at the end of the day. Powder hounds after desert-dry snow.
This ski resort is located in the stunning Tierra del Fuego, right at the southernmost tip of Argentina—as close as you can get to skiing in Antarctica without crossing the Drake Passage. The mountain sits just about 30 minutes from the town of Ushuaia. While the summit only reaches about 3,400 feet, the resort has a respectable terrain park (complete with jumps, boxes, flat rails, and more), a dozen lifts, magic carpets, and 35 different runs.
Best time to go: The resort opens from late June to late September, but the best time to go is July or August.
Off the mountain: Trade in your skis for skates and enjoy a turn on the ice rink at the base of the mountain (entry is included with a ski pass), or strap into a cross-country ski for a calorie-burning activity — necessary to burn off all that Argentinian red wine! In nearby Ushuaia, take advantage of the many outdoor gear shops, great restaurants, and adorable penguin souvenirs, or book a snowmobile excursion for a shot of adrenaline. Flights are available between Ushuaia and Buenos Aires and take about three and a half hours.
Who will love it: People who want to brag about skiing at the end of the world—Ushuaia is commonly known as the world’s southernmost city.
With a base elevation of more than 7,300 feet and a more than 3,900-foot vertical, this full-service resort is one of South America’s steepest places to ski. The mountain offers 30 runs serviced by 14 total lifts and can make plenty of snow for those not-so-perfect powder days. But where the area really shines is its free skiing. For those feeling more adventurous, the mountain offers off-piste guides, including aboard a Pisten Bully 300 snow groomer for some epic turns.
Best time to go: The resort opens from June to September, but the best time to go is August.
Off the mountain: There are six hotels, most of which offer ski-in/ski-out access, heated ski and boot storage, plenty of restaurants for après, and several apartment rentals. To get there, travelers can fly during the winter season on daily flights from Buenos Aires to San Rafael or Mendoza (but keep in mind it’s still a few hours’ drive away). The mountain offers private transfers from both airports.
Who will love it: Skiers on the hunt for steep turns who want to stay on-site and don’t mind trekking a bit further from the major cities.
One of the earliest mountains in South America to open, Catedral Alta Patagonia opened in mid-May, welcoming skiers and riders to explore some of its more than 2,900 skiable acres. This very large mountain boasts 29 lifts and 58 runs with terrain suitable for everyone from a first-timer to the best experts, complete with tree skiing, wide groomers, a snow park, and more, plus excellent views of the lake for good measure.
Best time to go: The resort opened mid-May and can stay open until October. The best time to go is August or September.
Off the mountain: This full-service Patagonian resort features plenty of lodging and restaurants at the base, a kids club, snowshoeing, and more. The resort is about a half hour from San Carlos de Bariloche, which has multiple daily flights from Buenos Aires.
Who will love it: The resort is large, has a long season, and features something for everyone. You can’t really go wrong with a trip here, but keep in mind that it does require an additional flight from Buenos Aires.
Skiers and boarders will get plenty of sunshine at this full-service lakeside resort—80 percent of sunny days—while traversing the 1,235 acres of skiable terrain overlooking the gorgeous Lake of the Inca. Portillo receives an average of more than 200 inches of snow annually (and can make more) and features runs for all levels, including nearly half available for beginner and intermediate skiers and riders. For more advanced travelers, heli-skiing in the Andes, plenty of chutes and bowls, and intense backcountry terrain are accessible by boot-packing a whopping 3,000 vertical feet.
Best time to go: The resort is open from June 22 to Sept. 28. The best time to go is July and August for the most snowfall.
Off the mountain: After a long day on the slopes, take a yoga or stretching class, relax by an outdoor pool, wind down with a movie at the cinema, or plan your trip around wine week for daily tastings of Chilean wine. Families are well taken care of thanks to a game room, climbing wall, complimentary daycare for kids aged 4 to 7, and more.
Who will love it: Families or large groups who want a vacation with a bit of everything, including plenty of off-slope activities.
This Chilean resort features more than 24,000 acres with enough inbounds skiing to satisfy most travelers, thanks to 23 different runs, 13 lifts, and a summit altitude of more than 8,200 feet. But where the resort really shines is its location perched on the side of a volcano with plenty of freeride backcountry terrain to explore. And when you’re ready to come back in, traverse through the trees for an exciting—and picturesque—way to switch it up.
Best time to go: The resort typically opens in June and remains open through September or early October. The best time to go is August.
Off the mountain: The resort has two main hotels with access to the slopes, restaurants, and thermal pools, along with apartments for rent. After a day of skiing, relax at the outdoor volcanic-fed hot springs rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, or soothe sore muscles at the thermal spa.
Who will love it: Skiers and riders who want to explore extensive backcountry and tree skiing and don’t mind venturing a bit further than the capital city of Santiago. The mountain is accessible by car from several major cities, including Santiago (about five and a half hours), Concepción (about two and a half hours), and Chillán (about 1 hour).
This vast resort is spread over more than 4,400 acres and features just seven lifts but grants access to more than two dozen different groomed runs and heaps of freeride areas for plenty of fun and steep terrain. The mountain receives more than 350 inches in annual snowfall each year and features plenty of vast open fields to carve out some great freshies. Corralco is replacing one of its lifts with a new quadruple express chair for faster slope access.
Best time to go: The resort opens in May and typically remains open into October. The best time to go is August.
Off the mountain: Between runs, let off some steam at the snow park (with snow tubing and sledding for the whole family), or try your hand at flying a snow kite. The resort sits in the heart of the Malalcahuello National Reserve and is about two hours by car from the city of Temuco. There are multiple daily flights to Temuco from the capital of Santiago. The resort features one hotel with relaxed mountain vibes complete with natural wood accents, epic volcano and forest views, a game room, a spa, and more.
Who will love it: Skiers and riders who want varied terrain both inbounds and out.
This lesser-known ski resort sits in the middle of Argentina and boasts 28 runs and 12 lifts with plenty of terrain for every level. There are back bowls where you can rip some great off-piste runs, long green groomers, and a snow park to satisfy any skier or boarder. The mountain has a relatively short season but can make plenty of snow to compensate for it.
Location: Argentina
Best time to go: The resort opens in late June and closes in late September. The best time to go is after July.
Off the mountain: There are no hotels in the ski area itself, but the mountain sits just a half hour from the town of San Martín de los Andes, a cute lakeside town with several properties available. At the mountain, visitors can take a break from the slopes and go snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or even dog sledding with huskies and eat at one of the on-mountain restaurants. Multiple daily flights between Buenos Aires and San Martín de los Andes are available.
Who will love it: Travelers who prefer to drive to the mountain for the day but retire to a larger town at night.
This mountain may not be as large or well-known as others in Argentina, but between the gorgeous views of Nahuel Huapi Lake and the extensive trail network, it shouldn’t be ignored. Though only spread across 494 acres, the resort features a very respectable 31 runs and 16 lifts, including a pair of six-person gondolas. It will feel like you can ski for days on the longest run, which clocks in at more than 3.7 miles, or go off exploring the nearly 2.5 miles of backcountry.
Best time to go: The resort opens in June and typically runs to the end of September. The best time to go is August.
Off the mountain: Snow tubing and guided snowshoeing tours are available, but this is a small ski area and doesn’t feature the kinds of full-service hotels other resorts do. The mountain is about 15 minutes from the town of Villa La Angostura, which has several hotels available; about an hour and a half from the larger lakeside town of San Martín de los Andes, which has many hotels and daily flights from Buenos Aires; and about an hour from the town of San Carlos de Bariloche.
Who will love it: Travelers who want a quiet mountain with long runs but don’t mind staying in a smaller ski area and traveling to the slopes from their hotel.
This mountain is about an hour from Chile’s capital, Santiago, making it one of the closest options. It sits more than 6,500 feet above sea level, has sunny days 80 percent of the time, and boasts dozens of runs for every level. But where El Colorado really shines is its terrain park, which the mountain says is the largest in South America, featuring rails, jumps, and modules. The mountain also connects to two other resorts: Valle Nevado and La Parva.
Best time to go: The resort typically opens in June and closes in late September or early October. The best time to go is July or August.
Off the mountain: The mountain features an apartment rental with direct ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes, lockers to store equipment, and an indoor heated pool to soothe sore muscles after a long day. The mountain will celebrate two weeks of freeride competitions and cultural activities in August.
Who will love it: Travelers who want to be very close to Santiago and still have many runs.
Source link : https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/south-america/12-must-ski-resorts-in-south-america/
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Publish date : 2024-05-23 03:00:00
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