From Argentina’s Lake District to the volcanoes of Chilean Patagonia, this journey crosses the Andes in search of South America’s finest snow.
Beginning in Bariloche, you’ll explore Cerro Catedral, South America’s largest ski area, where lift-accessed terrain extends well beyond the piste map into a vast network of bowls, ridges and touring routes. From there, head to Baguales, an ultra-exclusive private reserve where a handful of skiers each day have access to thousands of acres of untouched terrain by snowcat.
Crossing the Andes into Chile, the journey culminates in a week of heli-skiing on the volcanoes of northern Patagonia – combining three of South America’s most remarkable skiing experiences into a single adventure.
Every ski trip we design is tailor-made; consider this itinerary as merely a starting point to inspire your journey.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
September
SUGGESTED LENGTH
11–13 nights
Bariloche & Cerro Catedral
Set between the Andes and the deep-blue waters of Nahuel Huapi Lake, Bariloche is a lakeside ski town with a distinctly alpine feel: chalet-style architecture, cafés, chocolate shops and a small centre that looks out across the water to snow-covered peaks. Rising above town, Cerro Catedral – named after its cathedral-like spires – offers more than 120 kilometres of pistes alongside a huge amount of lift-accessed off-piste terrain, making it the ideal introduction to Patagonian skiing.
Spend your first couple of days on the mountain with our guide, venturing beyond the marked runs into Catedral’s excellent side country. In good conditions, short hikes from the upper lifts open up long off-piste descents dropping back towards the resort. For those who prefer to earn their turns, the surrounding peaks offer excellent touring opportunities, with routes leading into remote bowls and quiet valleys overlooking the lake.
Beyond the skiing, Bariloche is an easy place to spend time off the mountain. Wander the waterfront promenade, explore the town’s small network of cafés and bakeries, or drive lake for elevated viewpoints looking back towards Cerro Catedral’s ridgeline. Ski-in/ski-out options here are limited, so some driving is required. Our preferred base is El Casco Art Hotel, located just fifteen minutes from resort; we also have some exceptional private catered chalets available, and can provide a car and driver.
Baguales
Leaving Bariloche behind, it’s a short journey by 4×4 and snowcat to Baguales for one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most exclusive skiing experiences. This vast private reserve encompasses more than 14,000 hectares of skiable terrain and welcomes a maximum of twenty-four skiers each day.
Terrain ranges from massive alpine bowls to technical chutes and tree runs. With no lifts, infrastructure or neighbouring resorts, the feeling is one of remarkable freedom. It’s renowned for its light, dry powder, and expert guides will lead the search of the best snow, tailoring each run to prevailing conditions and the ability of the group.
The operation centres around La Mesada, a small four-room mountain lodge at 1,700 metres where skiers return each evening for hearty meals, a soak in the hot tub and stories shared around the fire.
Heli-Skiing at Reñihue Lodge
Drive west across the Andes into Chile, breaking the journey with a backcountry ski day around Cerro Mirador, before continuing to Puerto Varas for a night at AWA on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. The following morning, it’s a short flight south to Reñihue Lodge, the former ranch of conservationist Douglas Tompkins, and your base for a week of heli-skiing in one of Patagonia’s remotest regions, where the Andes meet the Pacific Ocean.
The terrain here feels infinite; snow-covered volcanoes rise above the surrounding forest, and glaciers spill towards the sea. The guides have plenty of lines to choose from to find the best terrain to match the conditions. Much of the terrain is above the tree line, though there are also some below treeline runs. The programme usually includes up to six runs per day over six ski days, with plenty of variation in aspect and elevation.
Back at the lodge, there are 10 rooms spread across four different houses, with comfortable communal areas that are perfect for relaxing and congregating to share stories of a big day in the mountains.
Our Approach
Ski travel in Patagonia involves complex logistics across remote mountain regions. All on-the-ground arrangements are overseen by our dedicated ski specialist Lucas, who has 15 years in the ski travel industry and 26 winters of instructing experience. He spends each Southern Hemisphere winter based between Bariloche and Portillo, working directly with a hand-picked selection of operators across Chile and Argentina.
This long-standing local network allows us to coordinate seamless logistics, managing everything from delivering and fitting top-of-the-line hire equipment in ultra-remote locations to arranging world-class backcountry guiding and stays in private, off-the-books chalets.
CONTACT US
Tailor-made adventure travel across Latin America, designed by specialists with decades of on-the-ground experience.
Conde Nast Traveler Specialists every year since 2017
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