01 — Bariloche

Cerro Catedral: South America's Biggest Ski Resort

Cerro Catedral is the largest lift-served ski resort in South America — 1,200 hectares of terrain, over 1,000 metres of vertical drop, and a mountain that ranges from mellow beginner runs through old-growth forest to steep above-treeline couloirs. It's the default answer when someone says "ski Patagonia," and for good reason.

For advanced skiers, the sidecountry and backcountry access from the lifts is genuinely exceptional. The area around La Laguna and the Nubes chairlift zone opens up couloirs and bowls that would be expedition terrain at most other resorts. Catedral is also the gateway to multi-day hut touring in Nahuel Huapi National Park — one of the best ski touring circuits in South America, accessible with an IFMGA-certified guide.

"No other Argentine ski resort combines this much terrain variety, vertical drop, and raw Patagonian aesthetic in a single mountain."

The main tradeoff is crowds. Peak July weeks can bring serious lift queues, particularly mid-mountain. If you're visiting in July, early morning starts matter. In August and September, queue times drop significantly — those are the months Esnativa recommends for the best balance of snow quality and crowd levels.

The base town: Bariloche

Bariloche is a full city — the largest in Patagonia — with excellent restaurants, craft breweries, and a vibrant après-ski scene. It's the best-connected resort in the region with direct flights from Buenos Aires (BRC) and Santiago. The tradeoff: it's a city, not a mountain village.

Best for: Intermediate to advanced skiers who want maximum terrain options and backcountry access. Also ideal as the first stop on a multi-resort tour — easiest to fly into, most impressive as an opening act.

02 — San Martín de los Andes

Cerro Chapelco: The Local Favourite in Patagonia

Ask a local Argentine skier where they prefer to ski and the answer is almost always Chapelco. It consistently wins the World Ski Awards as Argentina's best ski resort. Lift queues are dramatically shorter than Catedral, the tree runs to skier's left are among the best in Patagonia, and the views of Volcán Lanín and Lake Lácar from the upper mountain are unforgettable.

Chapelco receives the highest average snowfall of the three resorts — around 350 inches per season. The catch: most of the resort faces north, meaning snow can soften and crust quickly on sunny days. For the best conditions, ski the south-facing terrain early, then move to the trees as the day warms. The resort's Back Bowls are outstanding for guided freeride on a good snow day — Esnativa's guides access these regularly through the season.

In 2025, the operators of Cerro Catedral acquired the Chapelco concession and announced expansion plans including new lifts and access to deeper Back Bowl terrain. The 2026 season is the first to reflect these changes operationally.

The base town: San Martín de los Andes

San Martín de los Andes is widely considered the most charming base town in the region — smaller and more relaxed than Bariloche, with excellent restaurants and a lakeside atmosphere. It sits at the northern end of the Seven Lakes road, one of the most scenic drives in South America.

Best for: Intermediate to advanced skiers who want quality skiing without Catedral's crowds. Excellent for families. The go-to choice for those who prioritise atmosphere, town life, and consistent snow depth over raw terrain size.

03 — Villa La Angostura

Cerro Bayo: Patagonia's Best-Kept Ski Secret

Cerro Bayo is the resort most guests are surprised by. On paper it looks small — and it is, compared to Catedral. But what it lacks in size it more than compensates for in character, powder, and the intimacy of a resort that genuinely hasn't been overrun by mass tourism.

Hidden powder pockets persist here long after they've been tracked out at Catedral, because fewer people know about them. The views from the summit looking down over Lake Nahuel Huapi are among the best in the entire Andes. Villa La Angostura is only 6 kilometres from the resort base — the closest of the three towns to its mountain.

"Bayo is where we take guests who've already skied Catedral and want to understand what Patagonian skiing is really about — unhurried, uncrowded, and visually extraordinary."

Best for: Powder hunters who'd rather find untracked snow than ski groomers. Works best as part of a multi-resort tour — 2 days at Bayo alongside longer stays at Catedral and Chapelco is the ideal combination.

04 — Side by Side

Cerro Catedral vs Chapelco vs Cerro Bayo: Full Comparison

05 — The Verdict

Which Patagonia Ski Resort Should You Choose?

Choose Cerro Catedral if…

You're an advanced or expert skier after maximum terrain and the best backcountry access. Also the best pick if you're flying into Bariloche and only have a few days — no other resort in South America delivers this combination of size and scenery.

Choose Cerro Chapelco if…

You're an intermediate to advanced skier who values atmosphere as much as terrain. The tree runs and Back Bowls are outstanding, the base town is the most charming in Patagonia, and the lack of crowd pressure makes for a more relaxed day on the mountain. Excellent for families and mixed-ability groups.

Choose Cerro Bayo if…

You're a powder hunter who values uncrowded terrain above terrain size. Bayo works best as part of a multi-resort trip — 2 days here combined with longer stays at Catedral and Chapelco is the ideal balance.

Or — ski all three

The best answer is to ski all three. The resorts form a natural circuit: Bariloche to Villa La Angostura to San Martín de los Andes, connected by the Seven Lakes road. An 8-day guided tour with Esnativa covering all three gives you the full picture of what Argentine Patagonia skiing has to offer.

06 — The Esnativa Tour

Ski All Three Patagonia Resorts in One Trip

Esnativa's Argentina Patagonia Ski Resorts Tour is designed around exactly this circuit — 8 days, 3 resorts, guided by IFMGA and ACGM-certified local experts who know the best terrain at each mountain. The tour operates July through October with small groups of maximum 4 guests per guide.

You can choose between a resort-focused format (lift-accessed piste, off-piste and sidecountry) or a backcountry-focused format that adds touring objectives at each mountain. Both formats include accommodation in all three towns, ground transport, two hosted meals, and 24/7 guiding support.

View the full Argentina Patagonia Ski Resorts Tour →

07 — FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions