A trip down to the southern hemisphere winter and the mountains of Argentina is an incredible experience that any keen skier or boarder should try at least once. Yes, the journey is long, but the terrain is epic, the food (and wine) are world-class and the relaxed skiing vibe offers up a unique holiday experience.
The main resorts worth visiting are Cerro Catedral above Bariloche, Chapelco further north and Las Leñas up near Santiago and the Chilean border. All three offer up something very different, but expect rustic restaurants, some creaky chairlifts and spectacular scenery at all three. The latter in particular has an incredible reputation for its freeriding terrain, especially if the lofty Marte Chairlift is operating. The two C’s further south are great for tree-skiing and can offer have great conditions when the snow further north is suffering.
Add to this a very lively après and party scene, a rich and lively Latin culture and the low cost of eating and drinking out and the prospect becomes more appealing. A lack of crowds is also a common feature of skiing in Argentina.
So, whilst things might not run as smoothly and the infrastructure may not be as advanced as in Europe or North America, the plus points are huge and if you’re looking for serious mountains and a summer ski adventure then Argentina is a very good choice.