The Best Ski Resorts in South America

Once the ski season winds down in North America, it’s time to start planning those South America ski trips. South America’s Southern Hemisphere location means that the seasons are flipped. So while June marks the beginning of summer in North America, it marks the beginning of the ski season for South American ski resorts. South America’s ski season typically continues 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, features 2,200 acres of varied terrain, 14 lifts, and Chile’s only gondola. Short lift lines and uncrowded slopes provide days of powder skiing after a storm, thanks to its altitude of 9,924 feet. Valle Nevado has a significant amount of terrain for intermediate to advanced skiers and riders, yet it’s comprised of a lot of wide-open groomed runs for laid-back cruising. There’s also a terrain park, nice backcountry terrain, and access to thousands of acres for heliskiing. Plus, it’s part of the Ikon Pass and Power Pass, with benefits that include discounts on hotel packages. Valle Nevado is conveniently just an hour and a half from Santiago, where many major airlines fly into.

For a complete skiing experience, don’t miss neighboring La Parva and El Colorado, opening up to a massive 7,000 acres of terrain. Both Valle Nevado and La Parva are owned by Mountain Capital Partners (also operating the Power Pass), which means that an interconnect ticket comes with access to both ski resorts. Additionally, Power Pass and Power Pass Select members can enjoy 10 free days between Valle Nevado and La Parva.

» View Valle Nevado Lodging Options

Ski Portillo, Chile

As the continent’s oldest ski destination, Ski Portillo is widely ranked among the best ski resorts in South America—largely due to the massive snowstorms that leave behind feet of pristine powder. Portillo has little to no lift lines, so skiers and riders can get in run after run on fresh tracks. There’s more than 1,200 acres of skiable terrain, with runs suitable for every level of skier and rider. Advanced skiers will have a field day here, as the advanced and expert terrain at Portillo is filled with bowls and chutes that can accumulate deep powder.

Portillo’s legendary yellow and blue ski-in/ski-out accommodations, the Hotel Portillo, has just 123 rooms available, so book your lodging in advance. While there’s not the town and services of traditional ski resorts, there are some other small lodges and cabins available. Fly into Santiago, which is worth spending a day or two in. Then it’s just 100 miles (160 km) to the slopes. Take a shuttle bus or rent a car.

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Las Lenas, Argentina

Las Lenas, in the Mendoza province, is popular for families of varied abilities, especially because of its ample intermediate terrain, much of which features wide runs with a good pitch. Some of its best terrain, and longest runs, is located off the famous Marte double chair. However, it’s the resort’s advanced and expert terrain that makes Las Lenas so special. Advanced skiers can enjoy a layout of 14 ski lifts with vast out-of-bounds terrain all above the tree line. Snowcat tours are available, too. Bonus: Las Lenas is a great South America ski resort to learn at, since its ski school is multilingual.

The iconic Argentina ski resort also boasts a great village and après-ski scene. For a South America ski destination that has it all, Las Lenas is it. It’ll just take a little effort to get there since the resort is in the western part of the Mendoza province. There are flights, however, into San Rafael and Mendoza airports.

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Cerro Catedral, Argentina

Bariloche, in Argentina’s Northern Patagonia region, serves as the gateway to Cerro Catedral, which is named for the gothic cathedral-looking granite spirals that sit on top of the mountain. Cerro Catedral is one of the few South American ski resorts with a true base village, featuring ski-in/ski-out accommodations, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. All told there are more than 20 restaurants and bars at Cerro Catedral.

Ski or ride from the top of Cerro Catedral for wide-open snow fields and long gullies, all above the trees, with excellent snow conditions. Half of Cerro Catedral’s 3,000 acres is backcountry terrain, accessed from the La Laguna chairlift. Terrain also includes plenty of tree skiing, chutes, and bowls that are best suited for intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders. Yet beginners will find some nice, easy runs, too. Cerro Catedral has undergone major infrastructure updates and resort upgrades in recent years, making it all that much better of a great Argentina ski destination.

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Cerro Chapelco, Argentina

Cerro Chapelco’s location near the Patagonian village of San Martin de Los Andes puts it squarely within the Lakes District of Patagonia, Argentina. Simply put, its views of Lanin, an icy volcano, and Lake Lácar, are unparalleled. Cerro Chapelco’s back bowls offer up an intriguing mix of open to tight chutes that advanced skiers will love. Bountiful tree skiing is spread throughout the resort, too. While Cerro Chapelco has a fairly even mix of terrain for all ability levels, it’s particularly notable for its intermediate terrain.

Several flights operate daily between Buenos Aires and Chapelco Airport. Additionally, inexpensive van shuttles run between Chapelco and San Martin de los Andes, where an affordable bus departs from the local bus terminal on the weekends.

So what is the best ski resort in South America? Truthfully it comes down to preferences, and what exactly you want from a ski trip in South America.

While this highlights the best ski resorts in South America, check out more South America ski resorts, snow reports, webcams, and more here.

Header image ©Valle Nevado