With the arrival of the summer season, skiing opportunities disappear from the slopes of Europe, the USA and Canada. The only way to enjoy winter activities during the summer season is to opt for the foothills of the Andes. South America offers an ideal gift for avid snowboarders and skiers. The most popular South American snowboarding and skiing destinations are in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Best time to visit the ski resorts of South America
The snow season in South America lasts from June to October. The most popular time for snowboarding and skiing is during the months of July, August and September. During this time, South America is mainly visited by North Americans to escape the heat. Although the resorts remain quite busy during the last two weeks of July due to school holidays, you can always find new slopes. Throughout this season, you can experience various conditions, from bluebird spring corn days to dust storms.
The best snowboarding destinations in South America
In all of South America, the best snowboarding destinations are in Chile and Argentina. The Chilean Andes, located between Santiago and Patagonia, offer some popular slopes for snowboarding and skiing such as El Colorado, Portillo, Farellones, La Parva, Valle Nevado, Villarica-Pucón, Termas de Chillán, El Mirador and La Burbuja. Sea storms that result in yards of dry, idyllic Andean powder add to the joy of snowboarding.
In Argentina, the slopes offer a wide range of activities, from hikes on remote slopes, partying in Bariloche to horseback riding. To get to the slopes, you need to take a flight from Buenos Aires to the nearest main tourist center, and then use ground transportation to reach the desired slope.
The most popular ski and snowboard resort in Argentina is Cerro Catedral, located on the outskirts of the mountain city of Bariloche, which sits on the edge of the Andes. The town of Bariloche is very well facilitated for tourists and has various amenities for the comfort of tourists. It is surrounded by jagged peaks and countless lakes, making it perfect for snowboarding, skiing, and other expeditions. The other upcoming ski centers in Argentina are Las Leñas in Mendoza province, Chapelco Monte Castor in Ushuaia, Monte Bayo, Las Penitentes, the Batea Mahuida tourist center, La Hoya and Caviahue.
Some safety tips
Ski resorts in South America offer a local guide or experienced operator, to the hidden treasures of the mountains. You need to make sure that the operator you are opting for is reputable and does not take any chances regarding the safety of him on the snowboarding trip. For your convenience, you can also make use of the coach option. To enjoy the unknown mountainous region, be sure to explore the snowy corners of the mountains located far from the regular tracks.
