Best Skiing in South America
Where is the best skiing in South America? The following awards are for ski resorts in South America that have been reviewed by the Powderhounds.com and are based on our ratings across various categories. Further down the page you can also check out the best skiing in South America as
rated by the readers of Powderhounds.com.
Here are our thoughts on the top ski resorts in Chile and Argentina:
Powderhounds Awards
Other highly rated resorts in Chile and Argentina include
Las Leñas,
Valle Nevado and
Chapelco.
Other Awards for the Best Skiing in South America
Skiing and Snowboarding
Best Overall Terrain
Cerro Catedral,
Nevados de Chillan,
Cerro Bayo,
Las Lenas
Best Beginner Terrain*
Nevados de Chillan,
Chapelco,
El Colorado (Farellones)
Skiing & Snowboarding in South America - Intermediates
Cerro Catedral,
La Parva,
Valle Nevado
Advanced Piste Terrain
Catedral,
Ski Portillo,
Chapelco
Best Expert & Extreme Terrain
Las Leñas,
Cerro Catedral,
Portillo
Best Off-Piste Skiing South America
Cerro Catedral, La Hoya, Nevados de Chillan
Best Sidecountry & Backcountry
Las Leñas, Cerro Catedral, Portillo
Uncrowded Slopes
Corralco, Caviahue, Portillo
Other Awards for the Best South America Ski Resorts & Towns
Best Family Resort**
Portillo, Valle Nevado
Best Lift Infrastructure
Catedral Alta Patagonia, Chapelco
Nightlife
Best Après & Nightlife
Cerro Catedral, Las Leñas, Farellones, Portillo
Best Evening Dining - On-Mountain
Portillo, Nevados de Chillan
Best Evening Dining - Ski Town
San Martin de los Andes
Shopping
Best Ski Shops
Bariloche
Low Cost
Low Cost Ski Resort***
Perito Moreno, La Hoya
*Best ski resort in South America for beginners and first-time skiers and snowboarders:
Nevados de Chillan and Farellones (at El Colorado) have the best beginner terrain, but these ski resorts don’t cater particularly well to visitors who only speak English. Valle Nevado and Portillo ski resort only have a small beginners area, but on the plus side they have group ski and snowboard lessons in English.
**Best South American ski resort for kids:
Chapelco, Corralco and Nevados de Chillan are very family friendly, but these ski resorts don't cater particularly well to visitors who don’t speak fluent Spanish. Portillo is the best ski resort for children who don't speak Spanish. Portillo Chile has child care and ski lessons with English speaking staff, and there are various kids' activities on offer. Valle Nevado is also great for English speaking families.
*** Best value skiing in South America: if you're looking for value not just cheap, check out Farellones Chile which provide reasonably priced lodging and access to 3 great resorts.