Bariloche Argentina

San Carlos de Bariloche, or Bariloche for short, is a major tourism town. The population of Bariloche Argentina is about 110,000 yet the town is usually inhabited by many more people when you include the tourists that flock to go skiing in Bariloche. So Bariloche is really more like a city than a town.

Bariloche sits on the shores of the pristine Lake Nahuel Huapi in the foothills of the Andes, so it’s surrounded by mountains as well as forests. The setting is absolutely gorgeous and the views are really stunning.

The town itself is also somewhat attractive in parts. Bariloche has a major Swiss influence which is reflected in the alpine architecture, with many buildings featuring stone and wood. The “Little Switzerland” extends to an abundance of chocolate shops, and there are often several St Bernard dogs hanging around just for good measure.

Where is Bariloche?

Bariloche sits within the Nahuel Huapi National Park in northern Patagonia as part of the Lakes District. Bariloche is located within the Rio Negro Province of Argentina, 1,621 km southwest of Buenos Aires (a 22 hour drive). There are regular flights from Buenos Aires to the San Carlos de Bariloche Airport. See the travel to Bariloche page for more information. 

Bariloche Skiing & Snowboarding

During winter Bariloche is a magnet for ski and snowboard fiends. The most well known ski resort in Argentina, Cerro Catedral (aka Catedral Alta Patagonia), is only 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) from downtown Bariloche so it’s subsequently often referred to as the Bariloche ski resort. Catedral is the largest ski resort in Argentina at 1,200 hectares, and it has stupendous views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the surrounding mountains. Cerro Catedral has a good mix of runs for all ability levels.

Bariloche is also the gateway to other Argentina ski resorts such as Cerro Bayo near Villa La Angostura (70km north of Bariloche), Cerro Chapelco near San Martin de los Andes (3 hours north), and Perito Moreno ski area near El Bolson (120km south).

Baguales Cat Skiing is also nearby; a little over one hour drive south of Bariloche, whilst Mallin Alto Sled Skiing trips also depart from Bariloche.

Bariloche Hotels and Accommodation

Bariloche has a large range of lodging to suit all budgets. Bariloche hotels range from 5 star hotels down to 1 star, and other accommodation includes apart hotels, hosterias, hostels, a handful of bed and breakfasts, cabins, and houses.

For those skiing at Catedral Alta Patagonia, there is also lots of Cerro Catedral accommodation.

Bariloche Accommodations Listings

Cerro Catedral Accommodations

San Carlos de Bariloche Services and Facilities

In addition to being the chocolate capital of Argentina with many chocolatiers, Bariloche has lots of restaurants and cafes to enjoy the famous Patagonian cuisine. The Bariloche après scene and nightlife is also impressive, particularly when the many teens come to Bariloche in droves to celebrate the end of high school.

The town also has several ski and snowboard shops to support the vibrant Bariloche ski trade.

More Reasons to Visit Bariloche for Skiing and Snowboarding

Bariloche is a great base to go skiing at Cerro Catedral, a large and modern ski resort with something on offer for everyone. Bariloche in itself is a great place to visit to enjoy the abundant picture postcard views, but it’s also the gateway to Patagonia where there are many gorgeous places to explore.