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Skiing in Argentina
Skiing in Argentina
We were four – Alex Khosla, Ali Greig, Adam Smith and myself – all of us ski nuts with ‘A’ Levels behind us and some quality time ahead before either starting Gap Year proper or heading off to University and we’d decided to head south for first time to Argentina for six weeks of skiing and adventure, from mid July through to end August. The ski season in Argentina runs from June to mid-October.Our itinerary
We flew to Buenos Aires overnight on 16th July and on arrival in Buenos Aires, 8 hours late because of a delayed flight in the UK, we changed to the domestic airport and got on a flight to Bariloche (which was also delayed by 2 hours) where we spent the first 10 days.
On 27th July we took the night bus from Bariloche to San Rafael where we were picked up by taxi van and taken to Las Lenas on the morning of the 28th. Then three glorious ski weeks later, on the 18th of August we got the bus back to San Rafael and from there by bus overnight to Bariloche. After a few more days chilling out in Bariloche we flew back to Buenos Aires, spending three days exploring the city before flying back to London via Madrid on 27th August.
This was my first time in Argentina and as I do not speak Spanish, I certainly did not know the colloquial phrases and pronunciation which the Argentines use. A phrase book is a useful tool, but we found a small game of charades with the taxi driver at the beginning of each journey was more effective. The people are friendly and everyone tries to be helpful to you, especially if they think that you might be spending money in their shop.
Bariloche
San Carlos de Bariloche or ‘Bariloche’ as it’s commonly known is a small town of about 70,000 people and is one of the most beautiful places that we saw in Argentina. It’s situated in the western part of Argentina’s Rio Negro province and on the southern shore of Nahuel Huani Lake in the centre of the Nahuel Huani National Park. It’s about 1,000 miles (1,600km) from the capital Buenos Aires and one of the most popular ski destinations in South America, with stunning mountain landscapes.
Cerro Catedral ski resort
The nearby ski resort Cerro Catedral – about a 20-minutes a drive from Bariloche by bus or taxi – is one of South America’s biggest ski areas with over 62 miles (100km) of on-piste skiing, a lift system carrying over 22,000 riders per hour and yet more exceptional views of Lake Nahuel Huapi There are a number of mountain side hotels and budget hostel accommodation so there’s no problem staying at the foot of the mountain, except that means you’re away from the town and any sort of place to go out in the evening to eat.more...
By bus from Bariloche to Las Leñas
Travelling around in Argentina is best done by bus. Andesmar.com was the best bus company we found, but there are many in Argentina. It’s like travelling business class without getting off the ground – the seats recline a full 180degrees and cost about £25 for a long 14 hour journey.If you’re used to the organised Alps getting around in Argentina can be frustrating, but after less than a week in the country you get used to waiting for buses, which don’t come at the times on the website, and ordering taxis that come half an hour later. more...
Las Leñas ski resort
Situated in western Mendoza Province, Las Leñas, is the biggest ski resort in Argentina, some 750 miles (1,200km) from the capital Buenos Aires. Unless travelling from Bariloche (as we did) Las Leñas is most easily reached by charter flight into Comodoro Ricardo Salomon airport just 60 miles (95 km) from the resort or by schedule domestic flight to Suboficial Aytes Germano airport near San Rafael then by bus to the resort. Otherwise if you do not fly it’s about 14 hours by bus from Buenos Aires. The upside of being so far away from any main city is that it rarely get’s crowded except in peak season and at weekends.more...
By bus from San Rafael to Bariloche
The return bus journey from San Rafael to Bariloche was 14 hours long and cost about £25. My friends got a bus from San Rafael to Buenos Aires for the same price which is 16 hours. In order to go to Las Leñas from anywhere except Buenos Aires you have to change at San Rafael or Mendoza. Buses are really easy to book out there you can do it on the net up to 24 hours before it leaves. In the resorts they have English speaking people to book them or change them for you if you want them to.What did it cost?
Our schedule flight with Aerolineas Argentinias cost £800 return via Madrid where you have to transfer (unless flying with BA which costs about £900) and the flight from Madrid is 12 hours there 10 hours back.more...
Was it worth it?
You bet it was! If you’re thinking about skiing in summer and can afford the time and the ticket, it’s definitely worth heading off to enjoy a southern hemisphere winter skiing in Argentina, but to get the most of the experience I recommend you learn some Spanish first and be sure to save up for the heli skiing, the guides and plenty of good eating. And don’t forget to allow at least 2-3 days for exploring Buenos Aires. It’s an amazing city with exciting and vibrant night life and as a bonus lots of city people speak English.Las Leñas see you next year!
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