Cerro Catedral – Patagonia Paradise
Cerro Catedral, officially known as Catedral Alta Patagonia Ski Resort, is located 12 miles from the town of Bariloche, Argentina.
Nestled in the heart of the country’s Patagonia region, Cerro Catedral is a prime location to explore spired mountains and glacial lakes. The nearby Lake District is a pristine cornucopia of aqua-blue pools and rugged, snow-capped peaks.
The town of Bariloche itself is one of the major tourist hubs in Patagonia, alluring visitors with European-style architecture, culinary delights, mountain views and year-round outdoor activities. Sitting adjacent to town is the glorious Nahuel Huapi Lake with the Andes Mountains in the distance.
Cerro Catedral has an illustrious history dating back to 1938 and its proximity to Bariloche has made it one of South America’s iconic winter getaways for decades. However, aging facilities left much to be desired for the resort at the turn of the 21st century.
A much-needed face-lift revived the resort and injected it with new life as a ski and snowboard hub. The reputation of Cerro Catedral as a global hotspot for winter riders has skyrocketed the last decade and the number of pros escaping the summer heat of the Northern hemisphere continues to increase.
If you are searching for some winter thrills in Argentina mountains, Cerro Catedral should certainly be among your top places to visit!
Best Base in South America
What makes Cerro Catedral stand out from many other popular Argentina tourist attractions and South American ski destinations is a cozy, laid-back village at the base of the resort. Visitors easily attain a more authentic ski town vibe compared to other world staples in North America and Europe.
In addition, the village is easily accessible to the neighboring Bariloche by car or public transport. Even better, those traveling to Cerro Catedral from afar can fly into town from Argentina’s sprawling capital, Buenos Aires.
Whether you decide to stay in the village or Bariloche, there are tons of accommodation options to suit any style of trip.
Hair-Raising Views
Being in the middle of Argentinian Patagonia, the scenery at Cerro Catedral is second to none. The park earned its name from the distinct rocky spires that overlook the slopes. On a clear day, sweeping views of the Andes feel like a shot of adrenaline for nature enthusiasts.
The bird’s eye view of the snow-covered forests, scenic vistas, glacial lakes and rugged peaks of Nahuel Huapi National Park are simply heaven on Earth. In particular, a trek to Cerro Bellavista is a must for views that will make your heart race.
Terrain for Everyone
With over 3,000 acres of skiable area and 30+ lifts, there is plenty of space for riders of all skillsets at Cerro Catedral, thus making it one of the best places to visit in South America for snow lovers!
Advanced riders can tackle numerous exhilarating off-piste runs. La Laguna is a spectacular location to challenge yourself at some of the resort’s most daring chutes and steepest terrain.
Back along the marked trails, intermediate riders will have the most action as roughly half the trails are suited for average-skilled skiers and snowboarders. However, the much-improved terrain park has sections well-suited for all skill levels.
Although there are fewer runs for beginners, lessons are available for a proper introduction to the sport.
Header Photo by Federico Persiani on Unsplash
