The Ski Season in South American Resorts is Starting!

Where to ski in South America 2025: As weather in Britain is getting excessively hot for my taste, I find refreshing hearing of snow in Buenos Aires, and the ski resorts, most of them where I used to ski when I was younger, are now opened or opening soon!

Focus on South American Ski Resorts- High Andes: Valle Nevado, Portillo and Las Leñas – Chile and Argentina
The sunsets in Valle Nevado are amazing – lots of pink tones in the sky – thanks to the smog of Santiago. Photo by: Valle Nevado ski resort. Check lodging at Valle Nevado here. Where to ski in South America 2025

Here quick stats of what is going on!

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Ski in Chile. Where to ski in South America 2025

🇨🇱 Valle Nevado

🎿 Webcams: check them here.

📊 Trail Stats: 900 ha terrain, 34 runs (10 % beginner, 36 % intermediate, 33 % advanced, 21 % expert), 16 lifts, cable car + 5 chairs, gondola, 3 surface lifts, snowpark

🏨 Lodging: Hotel Tres Puntas, Puerta del Sol, Hotel Valle Nevado (ski‑in/ski‑out), plus condos & apartment rentals. Check lodging for Valle Nevado here.

❄️ Mountain Culture: Off-piste and heli‑ski access, vibrant après scene with 4 bars/pubs; praised for groomed slopes, scenic Andes setting, efficient lift operations. Best alpenglow in the Andes!

Valle Nevado at dusk. Photo Courtesy Valle Nevado.
Valle Nevado at dusk. Photo Courtesy Valle Nevado. Check where to stay at Valle Nevado here. Where to ski in South America 2025

🇨🇱 Portillo

 

🎿 Webcams: Live slope cams here.

📊 Trail Stats: 500 skiable hectares, 35 runs across 14 lifts, vertical drop ~762 m, top of lifts 3,310 m. Longest ski run 2.5 km.

🏨 Lodging: All‑inclusive Hotel Portillo (123 rooms), chalets, hostel, dorms (Inca/Octagon Lodges); full board, 4 meals/day, ski‑in/ski‑out

🎭 Mountain Culture: Boutique-feel (max 450 guests), family‑style service (1:1 guest-to-staff), a social hub with communal meals, bar, disco—“sleepaway camp for adults” vibe, legendary Sun slingshot (va et vient) lifts, heli‑ski, Super C couloir, famous lunches at Tio Bob’s with spectacular views of Lago del Inca.

A room with a view- Photo by Adam Clark- Ski Portillo - view of the frozen Lake Inca and the Three Brothers peak in the background. Travel with us and we'll organise your perfect ski holiday.
A room with a view- Photo by Adam Clark- Ski Portillo – view of the frozen Lake Inca and the Three Brothers peak in the background.

 

🇨🇱 Nevados de Chillán

 

🎿 Webcams & Stats: Forested/volcanic terrain, webcams here. Base is at 1,500 meters and top of lifts at 2,200 meters.

🏨 Lodging: Multiple hotels, lodges at base; thermal natural baths nearby. Book Hotel Nevados de Chillan here.

🏔️ Culture: Volcano-surrounded slopes offer varied natural terrain and Chilean après tradition—bars, thermal spas, local cuisine.

Nevados de Chillan. Photo courtesy: Nevados de Chillan. Find loding in Nevados de Chillan here.
Nevados de Chillan. Photo courtesy: Nevados de Chillan. Find loding in Nevados de Chillan here. Where to ski in South America 2025

🇨🇱 Corralco

 

🎿 Webcams & Stats: Andes terrain with tree‑lined runs, cams in this link. More than 1,800 hectares. 29 groomed pistes equivalent to 25 kms. Six ski lifts, four surface lifts and 2 chairlifts. Base: 1,440 m. Top of lifts: 2,400 m. Top of skiable terrain: 2,865 m.

🏨 Lodging: Resort hotel at base with full-services, plus cabins. Check lodging for Corralco here.

🌲 Culture: Set on Llaima volcano, attracts off‑piste skiers and nature lovers—local Mapuche culture influences.

Photo courtesy: Corralco Ski Resort. Book your stay at Malcanahuelo here.
Photo courtesy: Corralco Ski Resort. Book your stay at Malcanahuelo here. Where to ski in South America 2025

Ski in Argentina. Where to ski in South America 2025

 

🇦🇷 Cerro Catedral, Bariloche, Argentina

 

🎿 Stats: 600 ha, 48 km of runs (4 green, 11 blue, 12 red, 5 black), 39 lifts, longest run 9 km . Base area: 1,030 mts. Top of lifts: 2,180 mts. Vertical drop: 1,150 mts. Longest skiable run: 9 km. Skiable terrain: 1,200 hectares

🎥 Webcams: Several cams view slopes & valley—check them here.

🏨 Lodging: Hotels & hostels at base near Bariloche; summer refugios like Lynch and Frey for trekkers. Check lodging for Cerro Catedral here.

🌄 Culture: Catalyses Bariloche’s alpine scene: vibrant après, craft chocolate shops, lakeside breweries, strong backcountry ethos with refugios.

This past Saturday Cerro Catedral started its ski season.
Photo courtesy: Cerro Catedral Alta Patagonia. Book your lodging in Cerro Catedral here.

 

🇦🇷 Cerro Bayo

🎿 Stats & Webcams: 25 runs, 11 lifts; trail cams here.  Lifts go from 1,050 mts to 1,803 mts. 24 pistes, 4 itineraries off-piste.

🏨 Lodging: Family-run lodge at base with ski-in access. Check lodging on Villa La Angostura here.

🌲 Culture: Patagonian charm, wooded runs, cozy lodge atmosphere, popular with families and couples. The best views of the Lakes Region.

 

Cerro Bayo's views. Photo: R. Thostrup. Book your lodging at Cerro Bayo here.
Cerro Bayo’s views. Photo: R. Thostrup. Book your lodging at Cerro Bayo here. Where to ski in South America 2025

 

🇦🇷 Cerro Chapelco

🎿 Stats & Webcams: Terrain for all levels; varied Patagonian trees and bowls. Base: 1,250 mts, top of lifts: 1,970 mts. Vertical drop: 720 mts. 28 runs. 12 chairs and surface lifts.

🏨 Lodging: Upscale resorts by the lake, plus condos and cabanas. Check lodging in Chapelco and San Martin de los Andes here.

🎉 Culture: Mixes alpine skiing with Patagonian heritage—barbecue lodges, evening folk music, relaxed après. Lago Lacar views, chocolate stores, lots of artisan shops, great restaurants.

Skiing between forests of lenga trees in Chapelco. Photo courtesy Chapelco Resort. Book your lodging in Cerro Chapelco or Villa La Angostura here.
Skiing between forests of lenga trees in Chapelco. Photo courtesy Chapelco Resort. Book your lodging in Cerro Chapelco or Villa La Angostura here.

🇦🇷 Las Leñas

🎿 Stats: ~17 500 ha area, 40 runs (15 % green, 45 % blue, 35 % red, 5 % black), vertical 1 190 m, 14 lifts, 30 snow cannons. Base at 2,250 m. Top of lifts 3,430 m. Skiable terrain- top of Cerro Torrecillas: 3,771 mts.

Painting of Cerro Las Lenas with soft pastels. 60 x 80 cm. In my shop.
Painting of Cerro Las Lenas with soft pastels. 60 x 80 cm. In my shop.

🎥 Webcams: Check the webcams of Las Leñas here.

🏨 Lodging: Upscale hotels, apartments, sleep houses; includes highest-altitude casino in world. Check where to stay at Las Leñas here.

🌍 Culture: Remote with big-mountain skiing, lots of off-piste, lively nightlife with bars, clubs, varied dining and thermal springs down the road at Los Molles.

The base area of Las Lenas with its traditional buildings. Photo: Las Lenas ski resort. Book your lodging in Las Lenas here.
The base area of Las Lenas with its traditional buildings. Photo: Las Lenas ski resort. Book your lodging in Las Lenas here. Where to ski in South America 2025

 

🇦🇷 Cerro Castor

🎿 Stats: 28 trails over ~600 ha, modern lifts, snowmaking—southernmost resort globally. Base at 195 mts and top of lifts at 1,057 mts. Mountains come out from the sea, as located is in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, end of the world. (similar to terrain in Alaska)

🎥 Webcams: Live cams here.

🏨 Lodging: Comfortable hotels & lodges in Ushuaia region. Check lodging in Ushuaia here.

❄️ Culture: Cape Horn edge ski experience—quiet, pristine terrain, winter nights, Fuegian hospitality. Great lamb (Cordero Fueguino).

The views in Cerro Castor. Photo courtesy Cerro Castor. Book your stay in Ushuaia here.
The views in Cerro Castor. Photo courtesy Cerro Castor. Book your stay in Ushuaia here.

 

🇦🇷/🇨🇱 Boutique & Backcountry

  • Ski Arpa: No trails or lifts—cat‑skiing only (mid‑June to mid‑October). Stay at another ski resort for a transfer, like at the end of the ski week in Portillo, and then get your transfer to Santiago, or stay in Santiago, and go for the day. Check where to stay in Santiago here.
  • El Azufre: Located in Mendoza, great for snowcat and heliski- offers some lodging there.

Start planning your next trip!

 

If looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check the direct booking for Il Coure della Valdigne here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using.

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Book your lodging directly with me here.Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in CourmayeurLa Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

If you prefer, you can also book my apartment through Booking.com

Booking might be cheaper if you have Genius status!

Check my Mountain Art on my Shop

You can go to my shop and see what have been inspiring me lately, lots mountain landscapes in soft pastels, and now in oils too. Go here to check my latest works!

Check my mountain art in my shop here.
Check my mountain art in my shop here.

If interested in me doing a special commission for you, let’s talk!

NEW from 2025- I’ve launched The-Ski-Guru Consulting

Needing help to get contacts in the ski tourism business– I am offering new consulting services- contact me here.

 

Featured Image: Las Leñas peak in the background, that triangle shape on the right hand side of the picture – the expanse of Las Leñas is incredible! – Photo by Las Leñas ski resort.

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