Skiing in Bariloche

Bariloche Ski Area

Bariloche’s Cerro Catedral has a large ski area with over 75 miles (120km) of groomed runs. In total there are 2,964 acres (1,200 hectares) of skiable terrain, half on piste and half off-piste, ranging in altittude from 1000m to 2000m above sea level.

Cerro Catedral is definitely the main attraction for skiers and boarders to come to Bariloche because it is the largest lift-served skiing area in the Southern Hemispere, but it’s not the only ski area they can experience. Cerro Bayo, Perito Moreno and Cerro Chapelco are also within reach. There is also cat-skiing and heliskiing nearby.

 

Bariloche Beginner Skiing

At the bottom of Bariloche’s slopes next to the lifts there is an array of beginner features including an almost flat area for those who have never donned skis before to get accustomed to skiing gentle slopes.

Argentina is beginning to expand its market for skiing giving people who have never skied before the chance to give it a go.

Beginners are found in abundance at the bottom of Bariloche’s main ski slopes and particularly on the aptly named “Punta Princesa” run. The “Punta Princesa” maintains its snow cover because of its south facing location (remember in the Southern Hemisphere the sun is on the North facing slopes)

The beginner runs at the bottom of the mountain (approximately the bottom third) are prone to less snow cover than the higher slopes because of their elevation, however in the high season this is only a problem after many days without snow.

Bariloche Intermediate Skiing

The majority (60%) of Bariloche Cerro Catedral’s pisted runs are designated for the intermediate level skier. Intermediates can also take advantage of easy access to fresh snow beside the pistes and practice their off-piste technique without having to hire a guide.

The runs on both sides of the mountain from the top feature both red and blue difficulties, with the option lower down to join the green trail runs – useful at the end of the day when the steeper red and blue runs have turned to ice.

The Punta Nevada lift takes the intermediate skier to the top of the mountain and gives the options of blue runs with beside-piste skiing down to the base or red runs with the opportunity for some real off-piste skiing on the left of the mountain.

Cerro Catedral is an obvious choice for the intermediate skier because of its similarity to European resorts; it is possible to enjoy this resort for either a short stay or for an entire season.

Bariloche Advanced Skiing

Bariloche Cerro Catedral’s advanced ski terrain is mostly off-piste. Having said that, the bowl to the left of La Hoya lift features some steeper black runs – exciting to ski in fresh snow- and the Amancay lift takes you to two black runs – especially good in the morning if the powder is not so good.

There are two main off piste areas, of which one is the Laguna area at the very edge of the resort at the top of the Del Bosque lift where there is a beside-the-piste run or, with a short hike, there is the option of a longer run with open bowl skiing and the feeling of isolation. A guide for the first couple of times down this run is strongly recommended because it is sometimes difficult to find your way out through the trees and easy to overshoot.

The second off piste area is at the top of the Condor 3 lift (named because it is the third chairlift in a row to the top of the peak). As you exit the chair lift, bear right and head along the ridge. There is a nice cornice drop to start and then you have the choice of a short traverse out to the trees or to follow the wide spine to join a green trail run further down. These runs are ‘out of bounds’ runs and you do require off-piste gear and a guide.

The backside of the mountain, which requires touring gear, gives you access to some of the most beautiful runs in the Andes.

For more information about skiing off-piste and to hire a guide contact Huere Daquier at Southamericaski.com

Southamericaski.com
Tel: +54 294 444 1664
Email [email protected]
Web: www.southamericaski.com

Bariloche Boarding & Freestyle

Almost everyone in Bariloche Cerro Catedral skis, so snowboarding is still relatively new. However, the resort is embracing snowboarding with an ever-growing terrain park run by the resort freestyle staff.

Bariloche’s terrain park is extremely safe with helmet rules enforced and competitions run by the local instructors all season. Since 2008 the park has benefited from further improvements including a “black line” featuring more difficult jumps and rails and a number of other advanced features.

The lack of flat sections and the easy access to tree runs in Cerro Catedral means that snowboarders like the resort. There are few runs that require a walkout and most off piste in the Cerro Catedral area is accessible to skiers and boarders alike.

Bariloche Mountain Restaurants

Bariloche Cerro Catedral has over 20 restaurants on the mountain cater to all tastes and budgets, so there are plenty of fine wining and dining options on the mountain as well as in the resort.

The astonishing wine selection and the delicious slabs of steak of the internationally known Bariloche restaurants transfer onto the mountain and the views in the higher mountain restaurants are second to none.