May 21, 2024

Chase Winter in the Andes: 11 Great Places to Ski in South America

As the northern hemisphere ski season draws to a close, set your sights on South America for an endless winter and keep skiing year-round. The gorgeous snow-capped Andes, the second-highest mountain range in the world, is a paradise for passionate skiers and snowboarders for all levels. The South American ski season typically runs from June to October, but sometimes kicks off as early as mid-May and can extend into early November.

From world-class ski resorts to exhilarating heliskiing adventures and secluded backcountry tours, as well as luxurious mountain lodges, private villas, and exclusive off-the-grid excursions, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of ski experiences.

Here's where you'll want to ski in South America...

Ski Arpa

Exclusive to Glove, Ski Arpa is Chile’s only all-cat-skiing property, featuring 4,000 private acres of powder—a playground for thrill-seekers with unparalleled vertical snow conditions, breathtaking views, and some of the best-untracked powder in the world.

One of the most unique and adventurous ski experiences in South America, Arpa offers an opportunity to escape the congestion and crowds of ski resorts. With no lifts and no lines, it's about as remote as you can get without a helicopter.

A family-owned and run operation, Ski Arpa was founded by Austrian expat, Anton “Toni” Sponar who spends his northern winters in Aspen, Colorado, and his southern winters in Chile. Toni set up the area as a rustic mountainside day lodge with two Pisten Bully snowcats that each carry 12 skiers and gear to 12,000 feet.

From the summit, skiers are treated to unobstructed views of Aconcagua (the highest peak outside the Himalayas)and the Pacific Ocean to the West before skiing down to the cat driver who’s ready to serve up another lap. Top off the day with a few cold beers with your fellow skiers while sharing stories overlooking one of the Andes’ most spectacular sunsets. It all adds up to one of the most remarkable days of skiing you’ll ever have.

Getting there: Just two hours from Santiago, Arpa is do-able as a day trip from Santiago, or visitors can stay in the town of Los Andes one hour away.

Ski Arpa Ski Arpa

Longavi by Glove

This one-of-a-kind skiing experience invites you to dive deep into the world’s second-largest mountain range with a personalised itinerary for an epic heliskiing adventure designed exclusively by Glove upon request.

Leaving the lifts and crowds far behind, you’ll have access to untouched slopes with runs with waist-deep, mind-blowing powder. The flight alone through the Andes is worth the trip, let alone the fantastic powder conditions found across the untouched peaks.

Longavi by Glove Longavi by Glove

Portillo

Just two hours from Santiago, Portillo is on every serious skier’s bucket list.

The fabulous yellow hotel is an icon of South American skiing in a picture-perfect setting overlooking the stunning Laguna del Inca and surrounded by the rugged towering peaks of the Andes.

Accommodation is based on a week-long stay which is fully inclusive of lift tickets, four meals a day, and many of the facilities and activities at the hotel. All lodging options are ski-in and ski-out with the possibility of skiing right from the front door every morning. The property accommodates a maximum of 450 guests per week, eliminating crowds and lift lines.

Portillo is famed for its steep slopes with easily accessed backcountry terrain, and welcomes Olympic ski teams who come to Chile for summer training. Treeless terrain provides the opportunity to explore the wide-open bowls, rocky chutes, and incredible off-piste skiing on Portillo's doorstep. Less-experienced guests will find wide-open beginner and intermediate slopes plus an internationally renowned ski school.

Off the slopes, guests can enjoy a lively après-ski scene with a never-ending flow of fantastic Chilean wine- and 2024 is a season of celebrations marking the resort’s 75th anniversary.

Portillo Portillo

Valle Nevado

Within a short distance of Chile’s capital Santiago, there are several world-class ski resorts, of these, Valle Nevado is Chile's largest with three hotels, restaurants and cafes, spas, shopping and the most advanced ski lift and gondola system in South America.

The resort features an array of slopes suitable for skiers of all levels. Thanks to its high-altitude location, Valle Nevado enjoys a long skiing season, typically from June to September, with excellent snow quality. Valle Nevado also offers onsite heli-skiing directly from the resort, with drops of over 5,000 vertical feet.

Valle Nevado is also part of the "Tres Valles" region, which includes the neighbouring ski resorts, La Parva, and El Colorado. One ski pass allows you to visit all three resorts.

Valle Nevado Valle Nevado

Nevados de Chillan

South of Santiago, Nevados de Chillan offers skiers an off-the-beaten-path experience nestled at the base of the active Volcan Chillan. It is known for its abundant snowfall, extensive terrain, and surrounding hot springs perfect for relaxing after a long day on the slopes.

The lower part of the mountain has the best beginner terrain in Chile, it also offers interesting terrain for advanced and expert skiers. Thanks to volcanic eruptions and old lava flows, you'll find exciting features like bowls, gullies, and natural half-pipes. Unlike Chilean resorts further north, there is also some tree skiing when the snow conditions are very good.

The nearby town of Las Trancas provides a variety of restaurants, bars, and accommodations for visitors.

Getting there: Fly into Concepcion from Santiago followed by a 2.5-hour transfer to the ski resort. Numerous planes fly from Santiago to Concepcion every day, and the trip is quick, just under an hour. Alternatively, travellers can take advantage of the new train service from Santiago to Chillan city, followed by a 1 hour and 25-minute transfer.

Nevados de Chillan Nevados de Chillan

Corralco Mountain & Ski Resort

On the slopes of Lonquimay Volcano, in the Malalcahuello National Reserve surrounded by old-growth forest and pre-historic Araucaria trees, Corralco is a tranquil getaway far from the busy Santiago ski resorts.

There are a handful of long groomed beginner slopes near the base, whilst further up there are a few intermediate groomed trails. Corralco also has a few advanced groomed trails that can be tackled by strong intermediate riders. In between the groomed trails are lots of off-piste lines and with some traversing you can access an abundance of interesting terrain features that have resulted from lava flows.

At the base of the volcano, Corralco Hotel and Spa is a luxury ski-in hotel with 54 hotel rooms, a spa, swimming pool, gym, cinema, restaurant and bar, and a range of activities including guided backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.

Getting there: Corralco is a 90-minute drive from Temuco Airport, which is served by several daily 1-hour flights from Santiago.

Corralco Mountain & Ski Resort Corralco Mountain & Ski Resort

EL Azufre

Hidden deep within the Andes, the remarkable El Azufre Mountain Lodge serves up some of Argentina's best ski terrain, that very few know about.

Best accessed by helicopter, it’s seclusion at its finest. At an altitude of 2,400 metres, it boasts one of the longest winter seasons in the Southern Hemisphere that usually runs from June to October.

Each day presents new opportunities to explore the surrounding virgin terrain via helicopter or catski with the possibility of enjoying freshly groomed corduroy.

Off the snow, the mountain lodge provides a warm and welcoming environment to disconnect with incredible gastronomy and fine wines. With only seven rooms accommodating up to fourteen guests, the idyllic and intimate lodge provides an exclusive experience perfect for families and groups of friends eager to explore off-piste adventures.

As the first 100% self-sustaining ski centre in the world, the lodge is 100% eco-friendly in design and is powered by solar energy.

Getting there: El Azufre is a 30-minute helicopter flight from Las Termas de Los Molles and is located 40 kilometres southwest of Las Leñas.

EL Azufre EL Azufre

Las Leñas

Las Leñas is a renowned ski resort located in the western part of Argentina's Mendoza Province, that draws expert skiers from around the globe.

This ski destination is internationally recognised for its steep slopes and exceptional off-piste terrain. The resort’s higher elevations—which reach nearly 4,000 vertical feet above its base—offer the most reliable, high-quality snow and spectacular views of the surrounding Andean peaks.

While it's famous for challenging runs, Las Leñas also offers excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities for intermediates and those with varying skill levels.

The resort's highlight is the Marte double chair, providing access to extensive and incredibly long runs. Favourites among visitors include slopes like Eduardo’s, Paraiso, El Collar, and the Marte Bowl, located under the legendary chairlift. If you time your visit right, you could enjoy some of the best skiing or snowboarding experiences of your life with over 15 miles of skiable runs.

Getting there: Reaching Las Lenas requires some effort compared to other Argentine ski resorts, but most skiers find it worth the trek. The closest town, Malargüe, is about 80 kilometres southeast, while Mendoza, the largest nearby city, is around 419 kilometres northeast. Flights from Buenos Aires or Santiago to Mendoza are regular, followed by a 4-hour drive to Las Lenas. Alternatively, you can fly from Buenos Aires to San Rafael, which takes just under 2 hours, and then it's another 2-hour drive to the resort.

Las Leñas Las Leñas

Cerro Catedral

Just outside of Bariloche in the stunning Nahuel Huapi National Park, Cerro Catedral is Argentina’s largest ski resort. Covering 1,200 hectares, it boasts South America's largest lift-accessed ski terrain.

Catedral’s many amenities cater to both families and advanced skiers. There are 35 lifts and over 60 slopes for skiers of all levels, including a terrain park for trick skiing. Catedral is also known for its good tree skiing, and experts can explore various alpine off-piste options and side-country chutes and bowls.

At its base is a lively village with a decent selection of accommodation, while just a short 17 kilometres away is Bariloche, a mountain town known for its gastronomy and historic architecture with a distinct European alpine charm. Here, culinary options abound, from traditional Argentine steakhouses to innovative restaurants boasting impressive wine lists, as well as charming cafes, chocolate and ice-cream shops, and local breweries.

Catedral is a great starting point to access some of the most popular Bariloche backcountry skiing zones which are well worth the visit if you are looking for something more off the beaten track. Day trips to "boutique" ski centres like Cerro Bayo are also a possibility. Located one hour north of Catedral by car, Cerro Bayo's scenic slopes, perched above the lakeside hamlet of Villa La Angostura, offer a serene contrast to the bustling atmosphere of Catedral, with minimal crowds, 13 lifts (including 2 gondolas), and 22 pistes.

Getting there: From Buenos Aires, Catedral is accessible via frequent daily flights of about two hours from the capital into downtown San Carlos de Bariloche. From there, Cerro Catedral is just around 20 kilometres south, approximately a 30-minute drive.

Cerro Catedral Cerro Catedral

Baguales Mountain Reserve

Baguales is situated in the southernmost part of Nahuel Huapi National Park, just over an hour from the city of Bariloche, Argentina.

For a unique Patagonian ski experience, the reserve provides a playground of pristine backcountry touring and snowcat skiing and snowboarding terrain with open mellow slopes suitable for intermediates, as well as diverse alpine terrain catering to more advanced skiers and snowboarders.

The main lodge, made with locally sourced materials, features two private bedrooms, each equipped with a private bathroom plus two Quad Rooms that share two bathrooms between them. The lobby area with a fireplace creates a perfect space for relaxation after an incredible day exploring the mountains.

Getting there: From Bariloche, the journey to Baguales is an adventure in itself, offering a unique experience that includes four-wheel drive river crossings, sleds, and for the last part of the trip, the staff will transport you via snowcat or snowmobile up to the lodge.

Baguales Mountain Reserve Baguales Mountain Reserve

Mallin Alto

Near Bariloche, Mallin Alto is a haven for sled skiing in pristine backcountry surroundings and a must for every adventurous skier and boarder.

The amount of terrain at Mallin Alto is extremely varied and expansive. It is perfect for strong skiers and snowboarders with off-piste knowledge, but there are slopes for beginners. The ascents are mostly done with snowmobiles or ATVs, with plenty of untouched slopes for skiing or snowboarding on the way down – it's fast and fun and a great way to get fresh tracks.

The rustic lodge is nestled at 1,650 metres in the Patagonian mountains, heated by wood fires, and offers breathtaking views and a unique, comfortable atmosphere. The experience includes gourmet meals prepared by a skilled chef, accompanied by Argentine wine in the traditional asado style.

Getting there: Despite its proximity to Bariloche, it feels like a world away from the city and can only be accessed via a heavy-duty 4WD vehicle and then snowmobile or an over-snow vehicle.

Mallin Alto Mallin Alto