Chapelco Ski Resort

Chapelco sits on the slopes above San Martín de los Andes in Argentina’s Lake District, framed by the snowcapped Lanín Volcano. Spanning 346 acres (140 ha) of skiable terrain, the resort rises from a 1,250 m base to a 2,117 m summit via 17 lifts—ranging from a gondola and high-speed quad to surface tows—across 29 groomed trails.

This snow-sure destination averages 43 in of natural snowfall each season, bolstered by snowmaking on key pitches. Trail breakdown caters to every appetite: 31% beginner, 17% intermediate, 41% advanced and 10% expert, with a dedicated beginner zone, on-mountain ski school and a family-friendly fun park.

Beyond its statistics, Chapelco thrills with hutterlined beech forests, tree-skiing steeps and a longest run stretching 3.3 km back to the base. Visitors choose Chapelco for its blend of world-class grooming, lift-served backcountry gates and the year-round charms of a picture-perfect Patagonian village.

Fly into Chapelco Airport (CPC) just 20 km from the village, with daily Aerolíneas Argentinas connections to Buenos Aires. Alternatively, San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC) lies two hours west—shuttle vans and public buses link both airports to San Martín de los Andes. Ride-share apps and local taxi services fill in gaps in the schedule.

By car, follow Provincial Route 19 from San Martín (12 km) or arrive via Ruta 237 from Bariloche. Free parking at the base lodge feeds a complimentary shuttle up to the gondola plaza. Once on site, the main gondola and high-speed quad whisk you directly to mid-mountain cafés and briefing centers—perfect for ski-in/ski-out access at nearby lodges.

The lower mountain unfolds gentle green circles and blues served by surface lifts—ideal for beginners and families mastering wedge turns on wide, forgiving slopes.

Mid-mountain, the chapel-named Timbó Quad and the new high-speed chair open up a network of cruisers, including the sweeping red “Mirador” and the rolling blue “Lomas Blancas,” both carving sweet arcs through lenga forests.

At summit, steeper black diamonds like “La Cascada” and “La Yunque” drop into narrow chutes before spilling into natural bowls—your ticket to high-octane vertical when conditions prime.

Expert skiers can punch through side-country gates off the “Garganta” run to access wind-scoured ridges and untracked couloirs, staking out fresh pockets of prachový sníh in protected gullies.

The single terrain park, centrally located at 1,600 m, features beginner rollers, intermediate hip jumps and a collection of rails and boxes for seasoned freestylers, all shaped daily by a dedicated crew.

For scenery seekers, the 3.3 km “Lago Run” winds from top to bottom, offering uninterrupted lake vistas and ridgeline panoramas—an all-level descent that earns its place as Chapelco’s signature cruise.

Snag first chair on the “Mirador” run at dawn: the eastern exposure catches pastel sunbeams on firm snow, and you’ll have that prime corduroy all to yourself until mid-morning.

After a heavy dump, head to the “Bosque Encantado” glade off the Timbó Quad—this sheltered pocket hoards fresh powder long after open bowls blow out.

For lunch with a view, reserve a table at the Lipán Refugio on the upper mountain; their locally foraged mushroom stew and wood-fired empanadas fuel you for afternoon laps.

Midweek visits (Tuesday–Thursday) unlock near-empty lifts and zero wait times on every chair—plan your stay around these quieter windows for maximum slope time.

Families love the base-area “SnowFun Park,” where kids conquer gentle rollers and mini-jibs supervised by bi-lingual instructors, while parents fine-tune technique on adjacent blues.

Book an off-piste snowcat tour to the Cerro Dutra bowls: these unvisited wetlands of deep prachový sníh and severe fall lines await adventurous souls seeking untouched lines.

Post-ski, sidle into Piñón Bar in town for craft Patagonian ales and tapas made with local trout—nothing beats toasting your day beside a crackling fireplace.

Photographers should hike the short trail to Mirador Tres Lagos at sunset—three mountain lakes below reflect flaming skies in a single, frame-worthy moment.

When the full moon rises, join the torch-lit descent: guides lead you down a softly prepared blue trail under flickering torchlight, turning your skis into paintbrushes on a cosmic canvas.

Sneak in a late-season cat ski to the upper plateau above 2,000 m. Locals swear this remote realm delivers the deepest prachový sníh and silent runs of the entire resort—an insider’s finale to any Chapelco visit.