Skiing in Latin America
While the ski season is coming to an end in the northern hemisphere, the season on the slopes of the Andes mountain range is just getting started. Running from June to October, the best snow and descents can be found in the northern sub-regions, with top of the list destinations being Chile and Argentina.
Portillo, Chile: Rated by many as the best ski resort in Chile, Portillo boasts seventeen runs in altitudes between 2,600 and 3,300m above sea level. Most notable land attractions include the glacial alpine lake, Laguna de Inca.
Termas de Chilla, Chile: Boasting the longest run in South America (13kms), Termas de Chilla is a well developed resort containing 30 runs, 11 lifts, numerous hotels and many restaurants.
Antuco, Chile: Perfect for those who want to avoid the crowds, Antuco is a small resort with 600m of vertical runs. There are just two hotels in the area and you need to take your own skis as renting is not possible.
Chillan, Chile: Located on the south side of the volcano with the same name, Chillan is a large resort with elevation between 1,600m and 2,600m. Most popular here is the challenging Tres Marias run.
Las Lenas, Argentina: Las Lenas is a remote resort located four hours from the nearest city of Mendoza. Elevated between 2,200m and 3,400m, the resort boasts downhill skiing not for the faint hearted!
Cerro Catedral, Argentina: Situated of the Argentine side of the Andes in northern Patagonia, Cerro Catedral is the largest resort in Argentina, boasting 11 lifts, numerous cable cars and South America’s only gondola.
Chacaltaya, Bolivia: The highest ski resort on the planet (5,200m above sea level), Chacaltaya offers excellent ski descents from the Sajama and Parinacota volcanoes.
Los Nevados, Colombia: Colombia offers some limited skiing, but there are no resorts at present. For independent ski fanatics, the area around the volcanoes of Los Nevados is good for adventure skiers!
Chimborazo, Ecuador: The only peaks with significant snow for skiing in Ecuador are located at Chimborazo, Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Antisana peaks, which are among the highest in the country.
Pastoruri, Peru: While there are no ski resorts in Peru, many adventure skiers head to Pastoruri, situated in the southern Cordillera Blanca.