For many people, summer is the best time of year. Who doesn’t love lying out in the sun with a cool drink while blissfully forgetting about all of your troubles?
Skiers, that’s who. For skiers (and snowboarders), the sweltering heat of the summer is just a reminder of how far away winter is, and how the thrill of racing down the slopes is still months away.
Fortunately, for those determined to ditch the Northern Hemisphere summer, getting out on the slopes means traveling no farther than South America. Home to the Andes, the continent beckons with any number of high-quality ski destinations.
With winter approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, now is a great time to get a head start on planning for a 2023 South American summer ski getaway. I always dreamed about skiing in South America, so when I married a Colombian, I knew it meant it was time to make that dream come true. There are four things that stand out most to me about skiing in South America. First, the elevations are super high (13,000+ feet) which makes for the most amazing sunsets. Second, skiing is less popular in South America, so the slopes were relatively empty and South Americans tend to stick to the pistes and avoid the powder. Third, the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, so a ski trip to South America means skiing in the middle of our summer. Some of my best times have been trekking through Chile and Argentina with my wife exploring the Andes Mountains. I highly recommend a South American ski trip to experience something truly different.
Here are my four favorite ski destinations in South America:
Catedral Alta Patagonia, Argentina
Translated as “Mount Cathedral,” this destination takes its name from the awe-inspiring steeple-like cliffs that surround it. Skiers can admire the pointy crags while taking a high-speed chairlift to the peak, where more natural beauty awaits in the form of a richly blue lake and a national park.
As for the skiing, visitors will find mostly intermediate to advanced slopes, including the notable steep Zona de Laguna. Beginners are not without options, however, as Catedral Alta Patagonia does offer some trails for those just starting out farther down the mountain. Meanwhile, tree and park skiers will have plenty of fun at the Zona Second Loma and Triple Park, respectively.
On top of its skiing, Catedral Alta Patagonia has earned a reputation as one of South America’s best ski resorts for its ample amenities. Its base area alone includes overnight accommodations as well as aprés activities like restaurants. For those looking for more entertainment, San Carlos de Bariloche, which sits only 7 miles away, is a vibrant city imbued with a distinctive blend of Argentine and Swiss culture.
Las Lenãs, Argentina
Las Lenãs as is the place to go for free-skiing. Offering more thrilling conditions than anything you’ll find in the United States, the mountain attracts advanced and professional skiers looking to challenge themselves on some of the world’s premier off-piste terrain.
Perhaps best of all, unlike with helicopter skiing, these above-the-tree-line rides are easily accessible via chairlift. While being shuttled up Las Lenãs, skiers can take in breathtaking views of the towering Andes. Especially picturesque are the light-brown ridges that run up the mountain faces.
Despite its reputation as a free-skiing destination, Las Lenãs attracts many families with its ample beginner and intermediate runs. Highlights include the Apollo, which is part of a trail network that, at 4.4 miles, is the longest of its kind in the world. After a day out on the slopes, visitors can relax at the base area’s restaurants, or enjoy a night out at the highly rated UFO Point disco.
Farellones, Chile
Skiers will similarly find much to enjoy at Farellones, which is nestled in a valley in the Andes. Farellones is a small ski area that is part of the Tres Valles (Three Valleys). The resort offers easy access to the nearby ski resorts of La Parva, Valle Nevado, and El Colorado. In addition, Farellones provides cable car access to El Colorado. They are frequently considered a joint ski run and have 62 runs, including 33 for advanced skiers and 12 for experts, six for intermediates, and 11 for beginners. Farellones is particularly popular with beginners and families due to the gentle slopes and tubing.
Overall, Farellones is a great place to stay if you want to ski at more than one of the Tres Valles ski resorts. It’s in a central location and affords flexibility to access all the ski resorts.
Portillo, Chile
Skiers interested in reaching death-defying speeds should look no further than Portillo. This breathtakingly steep mountain is where the 124 mph speed threshold was reached in 1978 and where national ski teams travel to train during the summer months. Indeed, parts of Portillo are too steep even for chairlifts, a fact that spurred the resort to design a slingshot-like apparatus that transports multiple people up the mountain at a time.
It’s Portillo’s variety, however, that has led Ski magazine to call it the most legendary of the Andean ski resorts. Beyond the heart-dropping steeps, Portillo offers ample choices for every level and type of skier. These include relaxed scenic trails, exciting downhill chutes, and even a beginner run on which skiers can pass through a train tunnel.
After cruising down the slopes, visitors should be sure to stop in at Portillo’s resort village, which is home to the instantly recognizable canary-yellow hotel. There, protected under an avalanche-proof roof, guests can avail themselves of a movie theater, pool, and dance club in addition to a variety of other luxury amenities.