THE BIGGEST SKI RESORT IN SOUTH AMERICA

Why choosing Bariloche this winter?

Winter is finally aproaching! That is why I would like to tell you a bit about the most important and biggest Ski Resort in South America, located only 19kms or 20 minutes away from Bariloche. 

Yes, I'm talking about Catedral!

The base of this mountain is about 1.030 mts above the sea level while the higest peak reaches 2.388 mts.

Mt. Catedral is a young mountain formation. It belongs to the Cordillera de los Andes. This mountain range took place due to a important tectonic plates clash millions of years ago and  occurring even now a days. 

You may proove it's young formation thanks to it's sharp peaks that stand out from the summit, reason why it is called Catedral or "Catherdral", as it looks like one. 

After learning about the geological caracteristcs of Catedral, I will now explain you some details about the infrastructure the resort offers it's visitors, conciderating it as the biggest in South America and Argentina.

It's no wonder, Catedral has 36 chair lifts spread all through out the mountain, more than 70 different level ski slopes, artificial snow making machines and lots of shelters and restaurants to relax, chill out and eat something.

Lynch Shelter. One of the biggest and with the best view!

At the base, you will find many hotels, log cabins, some other restaurants, chocolate stores, kids club and a big shopping mall called Terrazas Shopping, located right in the center of the Villa Catedral.

 

 

Ski season starts late in June and ends late in October. Skiers and snowboarders from all over the globe come over every year to practice, train for competitions or even learn these such great winter sports for the first time.

At the base, besides everthing I told you before, yo may also find some of the best ski schools settled there. At these schools, you may choose between taking a 2 hours group class or more than 3 days with a private instructor. I will explain all the options later on!

For those of you who don't want that much adventure and prefer enjoying the snow in a different way, Catedral offers you more than you can imagine. In what refers to contact with snow, you may whether enjoy taking a chirlift up to shelter Lynch and enjoy the view as a pedestrian, or having fun toboganging, taking a tour in a snowmobile, or doing some snowshoeing or even some trekking.

There is however, a sightseeing tour that takes you to visit Catedral all year long. The tour begins right after you get pick up from your hotel a 01.00 pm and ends at 5.30 pm, bringing you back. A great option is to combine with the "Short Circuit" tour that starts at 9.00 am, doing a full day tour combining two half day trips.

Now, for those who would like to take some skiing or snowboarding lessons, I suggest you to opt for going early in the morning, so to take advantage of a full day pass.

Take into account that all the schools offer a transportation servicie back and foward to the base, starting the pick up at 8.00 am.

It is important to know that even if you go by your self or with a skiing class hired, you must buy the regular skier pass at the ticket office, so to use all the lift services.

If you have never skied before, I highly recomend you to take some classes. If you would just like to do it ass an experience for just once, you should choose a group class. If you would like to learn faster and better or improve your techniques, then it is better to take a semi or private class.

Also, if you are travelling with friends or family, in a group of 4 or more, the best option is to take a semi private class to learn in a better way. Children have a spacial instructor and kids group.

All classes have a 2 hours duration. However, if you get the full day pass, you may go on practicing all you have been tought till the closing hour.

 

I will soon be giving out the prices for skiing gear, classes, skier and pedestrian pass and transportation services.

Hope you choose this amazing skiing resort in Patagonia to enjoy this winter!!

I'll be more than pleased to answer your questions and have your visit at the agency I work at, Bariloche Select Travel, located  at Villegas St. 237 (downtown Bariloche).

Cheers!