Once the ski season winds down in North America, it’s time to start planning a South America ski trip. Because South America is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are flipped: while June marks the start of summer in North America, it marks the start of the ski season in the Andes, which typically runs until late September or October.
Below, find our picks for the best ski resorts in South America.
The Best Ski Resorts in South America
Valle Nevado, Chile
Valle Nevado, one of the best and largest ski destinations in the Southern Hemisphere, has more than 2,000 acres of varied terrain, more than a dozen lifts, and a gondola. Its high elevation, with a base around 10,000 feet, helps preserve snow quality, and short lift lines and uncrowded slopes mean great powder days after a storm. Valle Nevado has plenty of intermediate and advanced terrain, along with wide-open groomers for laid-back cruising, a terrain park, backcountry terrain, and access to vast areas of heliskiing. It’s part of the Power Pass network, and it’s conveniently about an hour and a half from Santiago, home to Chile’s main international airport.
For an even bigger ski experience, don’t miss neighboring La Parva and El Colorado, which together with Valle Nevado make up the Tres Valles, one of the largest ski areas in the Southern Hemisphere. Valle Nevado and La Parva are both part of Mountain Capital Partners’ Power Pass network, and interconnected tickets have offered access to both.
Ski Portillo, Chile
One of South America’s oldest and most storied ski resorts, Ski Portillo is widely ranked among the best on the continent, thanks in large part to big Andean storms that leave behind deep powder. Portillo has little to no lift lines, so skiers and riders can lap fresh tracks run after run. It has more than 1,200 acres of skiable terrain for every level, but advanced skiers will have a field day in its bowls and chutes, which can hold deep powder.
Portillo’s legendary yellow Hotel Portillo has a limited number of rooms, so book your lodging well in advance. There’s no town here, but there are a few other lodging options, including more affordable lodges. Fly into Santiago, which is worth a day or two on its own, and then it’s about 100 miles (160 km) to the slopes by shuttle or rental car.
Las Leñas, Argentina
Las Leñas, in Mendoza province, is popular with families of varied abilities thanks to its plentiful intermediate terrain, much of it wide with a good pitch. But it’s the resort’s advanced and expert terrain that makes Las Leñas so special, with vast off-piste terrain above treeline and some of its best and longest runs off the famous Marte chair. Snowcat tours are available, too, and its multilingual ski school makes it a great place to learn.
Las Leñas also has a lively village and après-ski scene. Getting there takes a little effort, since the resort is in a remote corner of Mendoza province, but there are flights into nearby San Rafael and Mendoza, with transfers to the resort.
Cerro Catedral, Argentina
Bariloche, in Argentina’s Northern Patagonia, is the gateway to Cerro Catedral, named for the cathedral-like granite spires at the top of the mountain. Catedral is one of the few South American ski resorts with a true base village, with ski-in, ski-out lodging, restaurants, shops, and nightlife, and dozens of restaurants and bars on and around the mountain.
From the top, enjoy wide-open snowfields and long gullies above the trees with excellent snow conditions. Much of Catedral’s roughly 3,000 acres is off-piste and backcountry-style terrain, including the area accessed by the La Laguna chair. There’s plenty of tree skiing, plus chutes and bowls best suited to intermediate to expert skiers and riders, along with some nice, easy runs for beginners. Catedral has invested in lifts and resort upgrades in recent years, and the town of Bariloche, with its lakes, chocolate shops, and Patagonian scenery, is a highlight in its own right.
Cerro Chapelco, Argentina
Cerro Chapelco, near the Patagonian town of San Martín de los Andes, sits in the heart of Argentina’s Lake District, with unforgettable views of the icy Lanín volcano and Lake Lácar. Its back bowls offer a mix of open faces and tighter chutes that advanced skiers will love, and there’s plenty of tree skiing throughout the resort. While Chapelco has a fairly even mix of terrain for all ability levels, it’s especially good for intermediates.
Flights connect Buenos Aires with Chapelco Airport, and shuttles run between the ski area and San Martín de los Andes, a charming lakeside base for your trip.
So which is the best ski resort in South America? It really comes down to your preferences and what you want out of your trip. For more on skiing south of the equator, see our guide to the biggest ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere.
Find more South America ski resorts, snow reports, webcams, and more here.
Header image ©Valle Nevado
