I know it’s not winter in South America, but it’s definitely winter in North America and snowboarding season has just officially started for me. Hooray/Thank God.
When I look back at some of the best snowboarding I’ve been lucky enough to do in my life, snowboarding in Bariloche, Argentina ranks up there in the top three if not leading the pack as #1.
We arrived in Patagonia just after the biggest snowstorm of the ski season and were lucky enough to experience the ski resort Cerro Catedral with gobs of fresh powdery South American snow.
Here is a view from the main mountain lift back at the resort village.
Check out my post Snowboards and St. Bernards for more Bariloche funtime.
A total winter wonderland!
i wish it looked like that up here now! if it haaaas to be cold, bring on the snow :)
Great winter landscape, you can tell that it was a prety big snowfall.
That doesn’t even look real… more like surreal.. amazing. I’ve been looking into chasing winter down to Chile or Argentina this summer.. I understand Cerro Catedral has the most to offer of South American ski resorts, is this right? I’m an advanced/expert ice coast snowboarder. Have you been to other south american resorts? Chile? any tips? :)
Hi Carlo.
When there is a good snow, Catedral is amazing. There are plenty of great bowls and long runs and off-trail terrain. I had a great time there – and Bariloche is a cool city to chill in. I recommend the Pudu hostel.
As far as Chile goes – the prices are a little higher but the resorts are an easy distance from Santiago. That alone makes them easier to do on a shorter trip. Kinda like the difference between boarding in Utah at the resorts near Salt Lake City vs driving out to Tahoe in CA. On the east coast, its like the difference between going to the closer Mt Snow/Stratton area or driving up to Jay Peak. Depends what you want.
We were going to do a Chilean resort but the snow was bad when we got there. Catedral had great snow and we LOVED it. How long you thinking of going?
From what i researched, Chile would be a more affordable trip, based on airfare alone.. from New York to Santiago is about a $1000.. about the same to Buenos Aires.. but its that extra flight (@about $400) to Bariloche that kinda turns me off.. but you say prices are less in Bariloche? how much are lift tickets? food? beer? cat tour? heli ride? hotel/hostel? How’s the apres? i figure if the snow is bad there should at least be a good party to make up for it. I was planning on just a week around August. So you’ve ride’n in the east coast before..? funny you mentioned Stratton.. I found myself at that resort more than i really wanted to this season..lol too flat… but just had an amazing powder weekend at Killington. Are you from here or out west?
I was in Bariloche a few seasons ago so It would prob be the best idea to look at the website for Cerro Catedral for prices, but things in town are generally affordable. Hostel Pudu was really nice and wasn’t too much for a backpacker’s budget. We never did the apres at the resort, but Pudu had some good nightlife and even their own beer on tap. So that was fun.
Chilean skiing though I hear is good when the snow is good so either trip is going to be a great experience I think.
Yeah, Stratton is ok. I like Killington more, but maybe because there just a ton more terrain there. Im originally from California so I’m used to the western resorts. But with a good snow, Vermont is pretty fun. Where else have you been out east?