Andes
South America
Chile and Argentina provide Southern Hemisphere ski seasons from June to October.
Resorts in Andes
Valle Nevado
Chile
South America's premier ski destination, perched high in the Andes at 2,860–3,670m elevation, just 60km (90 min drive) from Santiago. Valle Nevado links with La Parva and El Colorado to form the largest interconnected ski area in South America with over 40 lifts and 2,200+ hectares combined. Purpose-built in 1988 by a French consortium, the resort has a modern European feel. The proximity to Santiago and excellent Andean powder make it popular with both locals and international visitors. Northern hemisphere ski teams frequently train here during the southern winter.
Cerro Catedral
Argentina
South America's most developed and largest ski resort, located 20km from the beautiful lakeside city of San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentine Patagonia. With 600 hectares of skiable terrain, 53 runs, and 39 lifts, Cerro Catedral offers the most extensive infrastructure of any South American ski area. The resort is set against a stunning backdrop of Nahuel Huapi Lake, snow-capped Andean peaks, and ancient Patagonian forests. Bariloche is known as the 'Chocolate Capital' of Argentina and has a distinct Swiss-Alpine character.
Portillo
Chile
A legendary all-inclusive ski resort perched at 2,880m in the Andes above the stunning turquoise Laguna del Inca, near the Argentine border. Portillo is one of the oldest ski resorts in South America (opened 1949), famous for hosting the 1966 World Ski Championships — the only time the event has been held in South America. The resort operates as a self-contained hotel complex with no surrounding town, limiting daily visitors to 450 to ensure uncrowded slopes. World ski speed records have been set on its slopes, and it is a favourite summer training ground for northern hemisphere race teams.