Baguales Patagonia is a remote cat-skiing lodge and mountain reserve in Río Negro, Northern Patagonia.
Baguales is made for skiers and snowboarders who want Patagonia at its rawest, with high mountain terrain accessed by snowcat. The experience centres around the five-bedroom La Mesada Lodge, the reserve’s operations base at 1,700 metres, surrounded by Patagonian peaks and open winter country.
Days are led by certified guides, with two PistenBully snowcats used to access the terrain. Each snowcat carries up to 10 guests, plus the driver and two IFMGA-certified high mountain guides. Back at La Mesada, the atmosphere is warm and informal, with wine around a cozy open fire and a hot tub for post-ski evenings in the mountains.
What we love about Baguales
- The location in Northern Patagonia, just off Route 40 and about 1 hour from the city of Bariloche.
- Snowcat access with two fully equipped PistenBully vehicles for guest transport.
- The small-scale set-up, with La Mesada Lodge acting as both operations base and mountain retreat.
- The guide team including IFMGA-certified high mountain guides who oversee the ski days and safety procedures.
- The lodge facilities, including Wi-Fi, living room, playroom, cinema and hot tub.
- The sense of full commitment to the mountains, with early starts, long ski days and lunch taken out on the snow.
Baguales is all about Patagonian ski at its wildest
A typical day begins with breakfast at La Mesada, followed by gear preparation and a mountain safety briefing. From there, guests transfer to the snowcat for the first runs of the day, with the route and terrain chosen by the guides according to snow and weather conditions. Lunch is taken on the mountain, followed by further runs in the afternoon before returning to the lodge for aperitifs and light bites.
Beyond the ski days, the experience is deliberately simple and mountain-focused. Evenings are spent at La Mesada, with time to recover in the hot tub, watch a film, or settle into the lodge after a day in the snow. Guests should bring their own ski or snowboard boots, helmet, goggles, warm technical layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a water bottle. Avalanche safety equipment, including transceiver, shovel, probe, backpack, and airbag, is provided.
When to Travel
June to September
The ski season in Northern Patagonia generally runs from June to September, with July and August sitting at the heart of the winter season. Conditions vary year to year, and all skiing depends on snowpack, weather, visibility, and the guide’s assessment on the day. Temperatures at Baguales average around -8°C, so proper winter layers and weather-resistant clothing are essential. However, all safety equipment is provided and carried by guides.
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