Where to see snow and ski in South America – 01/04/2023 – Tourism

Where to see snow and ski in South America – 01/04/2023 – Tourism


Summer is over and very soon the temperatures should start to drop. This means that if you want to enjoy the snow season in South America, it’s high time to plan your next trip.

While it’s tempting to see snow up close in destinations in North America and Europe, it’s also possible to have similar experiences right here in South America. In addition to the well-known Bariloche and Valle Nevado, both Argentina and Chile have places with abundant snow that are quite accessible —especially for Brazilians.

In these destinations, the snow season runs from mid-May to September — with colder and precipitation from July onwards, of course. For those who want to save money, the tip is to avoid traveling in July, the month of school holidays. August, for example, is still quite cold and offers slightly lower prices.

Finally, those who choose Argentina can try to take advantage of promotions from Aerolíneas Argentinas, which has reinforced its offer of direct flights from Brazil and even offers tickets at fixed prices during the low season.

See our selection of 7 places to enjoy snow without spending a fortune:

Mendoza (Argentina)

Best known for being the Argentine capital of Malbec wine, Mendoza is closer to the Andes and Chile than to Buenos Aires. This means that, there, it is also possible to have fun in the snow – and still drinking a good wine.

Only 200 kilometers separate the capital of the province from Las Cuevas, where Parque de Nieve Los Puquios is located, which is very suitable for those traveling with children. On the way, even closer, there is the Valles del Plata ski center, the first in the region, and the Los Penitentes station, whose tickets cost much less than in Bariloche.

Those with more days available can embark on a slightly longer road trip, going down parallel to the mountain ranges to Las Leñas station, one of the highest and most radical in Argentina. Its peak is almost 3,500 meters above sea level, and the slope of the runway reaches 1,200 meters. The site has hosted the Pan American Winter Games.

San Martin de Los Andes (Argentina)

Close to this small town is Cerro Chapelco, where one of the main ski resorts on the continent operates. It is a great option for those who already know neighboring Bariloche (which is 200 kilometers to the south) or simply prefer a less popular destination. The station is just 17 kilometers from the city and has 28 lanes and 12 lifts. In addition to skiing, it is possible to ride a motorcycle in the snow (with snow mobiles) or go hiking with snowshoes.

Esquel (Argentina)

About 300 kilometers south of Bariloche, Cerro La Hoya is still little known by Brazilians, but it is one of the cheapest places to ski in Argentina. It’s just 20 minutes from the city and has two dozen slopes for all levels of experience. Being further south, the snow season there lasts longer, which guarantees good value for money (read: lots of snow) even outside the high season. With trees that are over 2,600 years old, Los Alerces National Park and its beautiful trails are very close by — it’s worth extending the trip there.

Farellones (Chile)

A few kilometers from Santiago, Parque Farellones is a good alternative to its larger and more famous neighbor, Valle Nevado. In addition to skiing, the park offers other attractions that are just as fun, such as tubing (an inflatable buoy that goes down a 250-meter track), an individual mini sleigh, zip line, cable car and “fat bikes” for pedaling in the snow. From Santiago, you can go and come back in the same day — and the children, in addition to being very welcome, also have a lot of fun.

Chillán (Chile)

What sets Chillán apart from other snow destinations in South America is that, in addition to a ski center, it is also possible to enjoy the thermal pools of Parque de Águas de Chillán, where the average water temperature is 37 ºC. This unique combination of attractions is 470 kilometers south of Santiago, but it is also possible to cut the road trip in half by landing in Concepción, the second largest city in Chile, which is 180 kilometers from the tourist complex.

Pucon (Chile)

Even further south of Santiago, Pucón also offers a very interesting combination of landscapes and attractions for a relatively affordable price. There, it is possible to ski on a still active volcano, Villarrica, which also offers other tours not related to snow, such as the “cuevas vulcanicas”, large caves formed by the flow of lava from the volcano over the years. Precisely because of the volcanic activity, Pucón also offers good spa options.

Serra Gaúcha (Brazil)

If your budget still doesn’t allow you to visit our Latin American neighbors, it’s worth trying to get snow in Serra Gaúcha, which every year records snowfall in several cities, such as Gramado and Canela, which has one of the most rigorous winters in the country. Some cities in the south of Santa Catarina also tend to receive snow between July and September, as in the small São Joaquim, where hotels even wake up guests during the night in case of snow.



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