Best south america Ski resorts in 2026
Ski touring and resort skiing in chile and argentina
Record breaking snow storms blanketed the South American ski resorts last year. We are excited to see what the 2026 ski season in South America will bring.
As PowderQuest heads into our 27th year skiing in South America, we have updated our skier’s travel guide with our favorite local tips and insights so you can start planning your dream South America ski trip.
We’ve skied it all, and here we cover what we consider the best ski resorts in South America, how to pick between skiing in Chile vs Argentina, the best time to go, and making it all happen.
The lifts start spinning as early as May, so let’s dive right in.
Ski South America Destination Guide
Chapter 1
bEST SKI RESORTS IN SOUTH AMERICA
The ski resorts in South America provide not only a ski trip of a lifetime, but reverse seasons that allow northerners to escape the hot days of summer and keep the “Endless Winter” alive. Resorts operate during the Southern Hemisphere winter and spring months June to October.
Skiers travelling to Ski South America this summer can expect large, high-quality, internationally renowned ski destinations such as Portillo and Valle Nevado in Chile. Las Leñas and Cerro Catedral are the mega ski destinations of Argentina. In fact, Portillo and Cerro Catedral have been recognized among the top 20 ski resorts in the world by Travel + Leisure editors and travel experts, highlighting their global reputation for terrain, experience, and overall quality.
Beyond these well-known resorts, there are also smaller, off-the-radar Latin American ski getaways to explore. In Argentina, Chapelco and boutique Cerro Bayo offer a more relaxed experience.. In Chile, you’ll find the all-new Pillan Ski Resort located outside the town of Pucón. Plus Antillanca and Osorno further south into Chile’s Patagonia.
Skiing in South America is like skiing on another planet, accented by delicious food and aprés.
Map of The Main Ski Resorts in South America
Our Rank of The Best Ski Resorts in South America
The #1 question we get here at PowderQuest…
“Which is the best ski resort in South America?”
After decades exploring all the South American ski resorts, we continue to find the question difficult to answer.
Each ski resort has its own unique charm and most travelers arrive with differing interests, expectations, skill levels, and time frames. However when considering snow quality, infrastructure, lodging and restaurant options along with skiable terrain, here are our top picks for the overall best ski resorts in Chile and Argentina:
Top Five Ski Areas
Valle Nevado Ski Resort and Ski Portillo in Chile have supremely cozy ski-in ski-out hotels, dry powder snow, quality groomed runs, international ski schools, and top-notch cuisine. Not to mention easiest to access from the international airport in Santiago. Both resorts are our top picks for all inclusive ski resort vacation packages. See these popular Chile ski packages to get started when planning your South America ski trip.
Nevados de Chillan, Chile has one of the most consistent and deepest snow packs, fun out-of-bounds freeriding with terrain naturally carved by ancient lava flows. Chillan is also one of the few destinations with tree skiing and hot springs.
Las Leñas, Argentina has the steepest terrain, massive backcountry and energetic nightlife. Hotels range from 3 to 5 stars, many of which are ski-in/ski-out. While one of the more challenging ski areas in South America to reach, expert skiers should have Las Leñas on their radar.
Cerro Catedral in Bariloche Argentina can’t be missed for the mix of alpine terrain, tree skiing, and quality backcountry access. A big bonus is the nearby mountain town of Bariloche to dive into the culture, amazing food and booming nightlife.
Top Ski Resorts Without the Lifelines
As ski resorts around the world become more crowded, finding slopes to yourself is becoming a challenge. Thankfully a handful of South American ski destinations still afford you this luxury.
Skiing The Andes ski resorts without crowds >>
Ultimate Travel Destination Guides
Our experts have compiled extensive user guides with travel tips and resort reviews for our favourite ski destinations in both Chile and Argentina. You’ll learn where to go, how to get here, trip planning tips and more to make it all happen this season. Dig deeper into exploring the beautiful Andes ski areas.
Chapter 2
The Best Time to Ski South America
On occasion, the ski season can begin as early as mid-May and extend into early November. For the best winter snow ski conditions, mid-July through early to mid-September is the best time for a South America ski trip.
Early to mid-July are local school holidays. Expect increased lift lines and higher prices on lift tickets and lodging. The rest of the season is relatively quiet especially compared to North American ski resorts. Exceptions to this are weekends, local holidays and pretty much any day in at Patagonia’s Cerro Catedral resort.
Mid to late June can surprise with big snowstorms and truly outstanding conditions, but from our experience, it is best to wait until July and August. By mid-September, temperatures are heating up and a mix of winter and corn snow (melt-freeze snow, only 2nd best to powder!) is the norm. There has been a trend however over the past 5-6 seasons where skiing at the Patagonia resorts, especially Bariloche, has been outstanding between September and October.
For backcountry, mid-July through October is prime time. Read more in Chapter 6 regarding what to expect when skiing outside of the ski resorts.
Chapter 3
SNOW CONDITIONS In South America
Weather and snow conditions can be unpredictable in the Andes, more so than at ski destinations in North America. Climate can vary considerably depending on the month and where you are traveling.
From our experience, the quality of snow in South America sits somewhere between the kind of Pacific coastal snow found in British Columbia resorts and the dry powder snow at resorts in Utah and even Japan (albeit obviously not as consistent as you find when on a ski tour to Hokkaido).
Andean storms are typically big and leave a lot of fresh snow. They cycle through periodically as opposed to continually, but with so few people on the mountain, powder days last longer than you’d see at a popular US-based resort.
The high altitude of the Central Chilean Andes backcountry and resorts (all within a short drive from Santiago, Chile) help preserve the powder for weeks. Especially on south aspects. If you are mountain savvy, willing to earn your turns and/or join a guided ski tour with certified ski guides, you can find preserved winter powder snow even on a below average season.
Chapter 4
Skiing in Argentina vs. Chile: How to choose
Another frequent question we receive is how to compare the skiing quality between Chile and Argentina.
We have been skiing both countries since the 1990’s so let’s break down skiing Argentina versus skiing Chile geographically:
Central Chile and East Central Argentina
Chile Ski Resorts: Portillo, Valle Nevado, La Parva, El Colorado
Argentina Ski Resort: Las Leñas
These popular South American ski areas are all above tree line, located at high altitudes and receive drier snow than their southern counterparts. On average they receive less snow when compared to Patagonia, but when the storms roll in they often receive 2-4 foot dumps.
The steepest resort skiing in the Southern Hemisphere is found on and around the slopes of Las Leñas. Do be aware it can take a very long time for the lift crew at Las Leñas to dig out the Marte chairlift after a big storm, so expect some down time with this famous lift.
Skiing in Chile’s Portillo and lesser known La Parva (one of our favorites due to low skier traffic and unique advanced terrain) also offers some steep skiing. The snow remains cold and dry most of the season.
Chile’s Valle Nevado means “snowy valley” for good reason. Due to the location, the international resort tends to trap the most snow compared to neighboring La Parva and El Colorado resorts. That said, don’t rule out a trip to the lesser known resort of El Colorado. You will find plenty of groomed terrain, wide open off-piste bowls and one of Chile’s most legendary out of bounds zones.
Northern Patagonia/Lake District
Chile Ski Resorts: Corralco, Pucón, Antillanca
Argentina Ski Resorts: Chapelco, Cerro Bayo
All of these Patagonian resorts can receive a lot of precipitation, but temperatures can rise occasionally and that snow can turn to rain. The good news is that storms generally finish cool, so on the times it does rain, it often transitions back to snow adding more fresh snow to the deep bases.
South America Tree Skiing
While you would not want to focus your trip south of the border exclusively based around skiing trees (like some do on this Hokkaido powder tour to Japan), the tree skiing is better in Argentina compared to Chile.
You’ll experience well spaced trees and more vertical. The best tree ski zones are found around Bariloche, Cerro Bayo, and the Chapelco ski area outside of San Martin de Los Andes.
In Chile trees are found in much lower levels of each of these southern resorts resulting in heavier snow and shorter tree runs.
Of the listed resorts in this region, Argentina has, by far, better weather and overall better infrastructure, better terrain, and better skiing on the whole. However, our guests are still attracted to the Chilean side for the relaxed local culture, lush landscapes and opportunity to climb and backcountry ski active volcanoes.
Skiing South America’s Volcanos
Chile’s snow-drenched volcanoes tower above the lush green pastures. For a unique skiing experience off the beaten track check out Volcano Lonquimay (Corralco) and Volcano Villarrica (Pucón). With some organized planning you can arrange to ski on multiple Chilean volcanoes in one trip. Advanced Splitboarders and ski tourers should check out this advanced guided backcountry volcano ski adventure >
Patagonia
Chile Resorts: Nothing worth mentioning. Hopefully in the future more infrastructure will arrive to Chile’s Patagonia. There is some great ski terrain and stunning landscapes.
Argentina Resorts: Alta Patagonia-Catedral and La Hoya
Alta Patagonia near Bariloche has invested millions over the past few years and is now one of the best ski resorts in South America. Alpine open bowls with stunning vistas of the surrounding Patagonia peaks and glacier cut lakes. Tree skiing in old growth forest. Backcountry access to some truly epic terrain. Family friendly with one of South America’s best ski schools.
La Hoya in Chubut is much smaller, but has good steep skiing and is worth checking out. It is also one of the coldest areas in Argentina for skiing so the powder stays pure and the season can extend well into October. So, to summarize, in Patagonia it’s Argentina or nothing.
Wait, What about Nevados de Chillan in Chile?
Chile’s stand-alone ski destination Chillan sits between the Central Valley and the Lake District, combining the best of both regions: good snowfall and drier conditions, and a good mix of alpine skiing and trees, with a massive volcano that can be explored for days with one of our qualified guides on select guided trips. One of our all time favorites in the Andes.
Popular South America Ski Trips to the Top Ski Resorts
Ski like a local. Visit multiple ski resorts in one trip with friendly local ski guides keen on introducing you to their country’s culture and ski resort’s secret spots. This is how South America ski trips should be.
Chapter 5
What to Expect With south america Skiing
Here we cover 2 key differences when comparing the Andes ski resorts to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
No Worm For The Early Bird
Overall expect later starts compared to what you are used to at most resorts in the Northern Hemisphere. The pre-dawn rush to get to the tram line-up simply does not exist in the Andes. Most ski resorts open by 9:00am but full mountain operations can be delayed until mid-morning for no apparent reason.
However, due to longer natural light, you can also ski South America later into the afternoon. Some resorts do not stop running lifts until as late as 5:30pm.
Resort Infrastructure
If you are accustomed to North American ski resort amenities, you will find the infrastructure of some resorts more rustic, especially the speed and layout of the ski lifts. Groomed trails and slopes are not what you find in Colorado USA, and mountain hazards and boundaries are not marked as vigorously.
But Does All This Really Matter?
It’s a matter of perspective. Simply put South America simply runs on a different pace and a distinct mindset.
The good news is, we find it all evens out. Some lifts may be slower, however 45 minute lift lines are virtually non-existent in the Andes (A few exceptions: Bariloche’s Cerro Catedral on busy weekends. Las Lenas Marte chair on a powder day).
In addition, you do not have thousands of skiers fighting for those untracked powder runs. If you come with an open mind you will find this part of the world fascinating and quite often comfortably relaxing. And hey, you are skiing while your friends are battling the heat back home!
Adventure Travel Tip:
The smaller destinations at the base of smoking Chilean volcanoes should not be overlooked as skiing the skirts of an active volcano is found in few places on the planet. At the end of the day you can soak in natural thermal hot springs under the canopy of an old growth forest and monkey puzzle trees. Truly unforgettable. Check out this guided Chile backcountry adventure exploring Chile’s iconic volcanoes and cozy lodges for 7 nights/8 days.
Chapter 6
Backcountry skiing: exploring beyond the ski resorts
Cat-skiing, heli-skiing, and human-powered backcountry ski touring and splitboarding excursions are great options getting you to some of the best backcountry in South America, if not on Earth.
Splitboard and ski tour remote, majestic peaks and Argentine glaciers. Earn your turns skinning around smoking Chilean volcanoes and remote temperate rain forest.
If mechanized adventures are more your style, South America hosts cat ski-assisted journeys, sledding and heli-ski trips that can feed your skiing soul with up to 5,000 feet of vertical descent in one run.
South America’s backcountry touring terrain is massive. Easy access from most ski areas in Chile and Argentina open up a world of adventure for skiers and riders with climbing skins and a sense of adventure.
Best Time to Go
For backcountry skiing and splitboarding, late July onward gives the Andes enough time to accumulate snow, and backcountry touring options can last well into late October out of the resorts.
For 100% human powered backcountry touring, the Chilean volcanoes and Argentine Patagonia offer quality snow from July well into mid-November. Check out this 7-day advanced-expert hut based ski touring and splitboarding adventure
Need a certified ski guide to explore the Andes backcountry zones?
Check out these highly rated guided backcountry trip ideas >