Skiing in Argentina
 

I'll be in Buenos Aires in June and was interested in skiing somewhere in Argentina for a few days. I'm just beginning my research, but has anyone made a quick trip like this from BA just to ski for a few days? (I'm not sure how much effort it'll take to get there, and whether it's worth the time/money.) also, if anyone has a tour company they've gone through for such a trip that they would recommend, that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

I was in B.A. last year in winter and I think that the closest ski fields would be Baroloche which is south west near the Chilian border. You can of course ski just out of Santiago but for my money the southern ski slopes are the best ones and really very european.

Sorry - Bariloche

Las Leñas in Mendoza is closer to Buenos Aires and it is an important ski center.
Only problem that seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere.

I have skiied in Argentina but not done a short trip from BA.

I would recommend Las Lenas, near Mendoza (well 6 hours or so by car from Mendoza)!

Catch a flight to Mendoza from BA and then a coach or taxi to Las Lenas.

But, if you can (and the cost is not prohibitive) catch a flight to Malargue from Mendoza, or ideally Buenos Aires.

Malargue is a very small town near Las Lenas - I imagine the airport only operates in high season and only transports the wealthiest Argentines to the slopes.

Las Lenas has excellent skiing - absolutely amazing off piste.

June is a little early in the season - August is the best time to go - but you should still have a great time.

I do not understand what Graziella5b is going on about - you are going skiing during winter in the southern hemisphere!

thank you for the good suggestions!

Bariloche is well renowned and is supposedly more European in appearance. Las Lenas is not the prettiest resort! But Bariloche is further south and not at such a high altitude so I recommend Lenas at this early stage in the season - i have skiied Lenas in June and it was awesome.

Max. Clearly these people aren't listening to you. There is no such thing as a quick trip to go skiing from B.A. Should you have the time, you'd be better off flying to Santiago, Chile and taking a taxi/bus to the ski resorts there which are about an hour away from the city. June is a bit early in the season. Just outside of Santiago are several resorts for which you can buy one lift ticket and have access to all of them: Farellones, El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado (which is built by the French resort Les Arcs. You won't regret it.

I was in Santiago in August last year and planned to go skiing just out from there but my partner got sick on the day so we put it off till we got back from Peru ( 7 days later ). When we returned to Santiago there was absolutely NO SNOW except for some patches of slush -very disappointing. So if you go there go in July as it can be iffy later.
I would still fly to one of the Argentinian ski fields but get your flight there and don't book it before you leave as its so much cheaper from B.A.

Sensibletravel,

You clearly are not very sensible.

Maxwell did not ask about skiing in Chile - he asked about Argentina.

If you fly to Malargue to get to Las Lenas, how can you argue that it is quicker to get to Valle Nevardo, El Colorado or La Parva instead, when that is at least a 1.5 hour drive from the airport and you have to clear customs etc. It is a half hour from Malargue to Las Lenas.

If you have ever skiied at Las Lenas you would also know that those three resorts just outside Santiago simply can not compete. If you have to go to Chile go to a decent resort like Portillo.

Also, you should be OK in June. August is actually peak season and the best time to go. I think lizF was unlucky. August is certainly the only time when there is much apres ski in the Chilean resorts - another reason to stick with Argentina - excellent apres ski and beautiful senioritas!

Check out www.snovango.com. These guys are terrific at finding the best snow in Argentina and Chile. They have been in business for four years and really know the mountains. They would tell you for sure if you could find snow in Argentina in June and if you could do the trip in 3 days.

My one experience sking in Argentina was near San Martin de los Andes in August. The slopes were full of Chileans, who said the prices were lower and the snow was better in Argentina.