Argentina Vacations: Bariloche

Don’t let your skis collect dust this summer. Take an Argentina vacation where you can ski in the breathtaking Andes June through October. For those wanting to see Argentina and its beautiful landscapes, a Bariloche tour is a great way to do so. In northern Patagonia, Bariloche is a perched on the side of a huge lake and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Starting to sound like a Swiss Alpine resort? It feels like one too, but with a South American price tag. The residents practically seem European as well, as many of Argentina’s citizens are immigrants and the capital, Buenos Aires, is nicknamed the Paris of South America. The local pubs have the feeling of an Alpine bar, serving a variety of European and local beers. There are many famous fondue restaurants around Bariloche where you can gather around a pot of bubbling cheese and warm up after a long day on the slopes. Keeping in line with the Alpine feel, Bariloche developed its own chocolate industry and today as you walk down the streets of Bariloche you can smell the sweet treat throughout the town. Many visitors to Bariloche are surprised to find out it is the chocolate capital of Argentina.

If you want to do more than eat delicious sweets and fondue on your Argentina vacation, South America’s top ski resort, Cerro Catedral is located just 12 miles from the city center. This ski resort has the largest ski infrastructure on the continent with 38 chair lifts, nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, and just under 4,000 feet of vertical descent. The dry but moderate climate is ideal for skiing, not to mention the spectacular vistas of lakes, snow-capped mountains, and forests in the dramatic southeastern Andes. Cerro Catedral is well-suited for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers and snowboarders. The patient ski school can teach you can teach you how to stand or help you master your shredding abilities.

If skiing is not your forte, there are many other winter activities to try in this outdoor adventure paradise. The mountains surrounding Bariloche are filled with snow-shoeing and sledding trails, or you can enjoy paragliding, hiking, mountain biking, or snowmobiling in this winter wonderland. Bariloche has something to offer every visitor, whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or not, there are first-class restaurants, chocolate shops, tea houses, and wild nightclubs.


This guide to a Bariloche vacation in Argentina was written by a Argentina travel expert at Argentina For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Argentina vacations.