Information
Landmark: Cerro ChapelcoCity: Neuquen
Country: Argentina
Continent: South America
Cerro Chapelco, Neuquen, Argentina, South America
Overview
Cerro Chapelco is a well-loved mountain resort in Argentina’s Patagonia, set just outside the quiet lakeside town of San Martín de los Andes in Neuquén Province.Cerro Chapelco, with its snow-dusted peaks, thrilling winter sports, and endless outdoor adventures, ranks among Argentina’s best-known ski resorts and draws visitors from across the country and around the globe.Cerro Chapelco sits high in the Andes, about 20 kilometers from San Martín de los Andes, where the air smells of pine and the peaks cut sharp against the sky.The resort rests at the edge of Lanín National Park, where jagged peaks rise above thick pine forests and glassy lakes glint in the sunlight.From the summit, you can take in sweeping views of Patagonia-Lake Lácar shimmering below, the snowcapped Lanín Volcano on the horizon, and the winding Hua Hum Pass that slips quietly into Chile.Coordinates: You’ll find the resort at -40.1485° S, -71.3380° W, tucked between rolling hills and clear mountain air.Cerro Chapelco’s summit rises to 1,980 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level, while its base rests at 1,200 meters (3,937 feet), where the air feels crisp even in summer.Cerro Chapelco draws visitors from June to October for its crisp-snow slopes, where skiing and snowboarding steal the spotlight.Skiers from around the world flock to the resort for its mix of steep, heart-pounding runs and gentle, sunlit slopes perfect for families.Skiing and snowboarding terrain: The resort offers a mix of gentle beginner runs and steep, powdery black diamonds, so everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros can find their perfect slope.Cerro Chapelco packs 29 runs into more than 1,500 hectares-about 3,700 acres-of skiable slopes, from wide powder fields to narrow tree-lined trails.Cerro Chapelco offers a range of modern ski lifts-chairlifts, gondolas, and surface lifts-that whisk you quickly to every corner of the mountain, from sunlit beginner slopes to the high, wind-carved ridges.The resort’s high-speed gondola whisks you uphill, with sweeping views of pine-covered slopes unfolding as you rise.Thanks to its spot high in the Andes, the area enjoys excellent snow, with steady winter storms that leave the slopes blanketed in fresh powder.The slopes often lie under a blanket of dry, powdery snow, the kind skiers and snowboarders chase for its soft, whispery glide.Along with classic alpine runs, Cerro Chapelco serves up freestyle skiing and snowboarding spots, from icy half-pipes to metal rails and wide-open trick zones.If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, Cerro Chapelco’s ski school pairs you with expert instructors, offering lessons for kids and adults alike-sometimes right beside the crisp, powdery slopes.The resort’s rental shops stock skis, snowboards, and plenty of gear, from snug helmets to mirrored goggles and warm, weatherproof jackets.While Cerro Chapelco is best known for winter skiing, it draws plenty of visitors from December to March, when clear skies and mountain trails make it perfect for hiking, biking, and soaking in the alpine views.In summer, you can hike forest trails, ride your mountain bike over dusty switchbacks, or take in the view from a slow, swaying chairlift-and there’s plenty more to do besides.Lanín National Park offers plenty of trails for hiking and trekking, from winding forest paths to the rugged slopes near Cerro Chapelco.Winding trails cut through lush forests, skirt the glassy edges of alpine lakes, and climb the slopes, where the air thins and the mountains and valleys spill out in breathtaking view.One favorite route is Laguna El Trébol, a trail that winds through pine-scented forest to a clear mountain lake, where the Lanín Volcano rises in the distance.Mirador del Viento is a lookout where the wind brushes your face as you take in wide, open views of Patagonia, with the snow-capped Lanín Volcano rising in the distance.Cerro Chapelco offers plenty for mountain biking fans, from smooth beginner paths to rugged trails that rattle your handlebars.The resort rents bikes and runs a lift that carries riders straight to the mountain’s peak, where winding trails-some smooth, others rocky-wait for every skill level.The resort’s 18-hole golf course invites both weekend players and seasoned pros to enjoy the game, with greens that roll smooth under the morning sun.Framed by the snow-dusted Andes and surrounded by rolling green fairways, it ranks among the most breathtaking golf courses in Argentina.In summer, hop on the Cerro Chapelco gondola for a quiet ride to the summit, where the air smells of pine and sweeping views take in glassy lakes, deep forests, and rugged mountains.It’s a quieter way to take in the area’s beauty, just as breathtaking as hiking the ridge at sunrise.At Cerro Chapelco, you’ll find everything from sleek luxury hotels to cozy log cabins and sunlit apartments, so there’s a place that suits every traveler.Tucked at the foot of the mountain, the village has cozy restaurants, lively bars, and sunlit cafés where you can sink into a warm chair after a day carving fresh snow or hiking the trails.The resort offers lodging for every kind of traveler, from cozy family suites to sleek, high-end villas with ocean views.You can choose from hotels, hostels, or cozy cabins, many offering sweeping views of the mountain and the rolling green hills around it.Hungry?You’ll find plenty of restaurants and cozy cafés in and around the resort, serving hearty Patagonian specialties alongside familiar international favorites.Visitors can savor local flavors like tender Patagonian lamb, fresh-caught trout, and a cold glass of craft beer.Some of the more upscale stays offer their own spas and wellness centers, where you can sink into a deep-tissue massage, step into a warm cedar sauna, and let the day’s hiking aches melt away.Cerro Chapelco’s Environmental and Sustainable Tourism team works to protect the land and promote responsible travel, from preserving native forests to keeping its mountain streams clear and cold.Because it sits deep inside Lanín National Park, the resort takes care to leave as little trace as possible, even sweeping pine needles from paths by hand.They work to cut energy use, protect the calls of owls in nearby woods, and encourage tourism that treads lightly on the land.The resort runs on eco-friendly systems and actively encourages renewable energy, from solar panels warming the pool to wind power lighting the paths at night.The resort runs recycling programs and urges guests to watch their environmental footprint-like tossing plastic bottles in the blue bin instead of the trash.At Cerro Chapelco, teams work closely with local officials and environmental groups to protect the park’s wildlife and sweeping mountain vistas, keeping its biodiversity thriving.In short, Cerro Chapelco draws adventurers, nature fans, and outdoor lovers from across the globe, whether it’s for snowy slopes in winter or wildflower-covered trails in summer.Come in winter for fresh powder and fast runs, or in summer for rugged trails and winding bike paths-the resort brims with adventures, all framed by Patagonia’s stunning peaks and endless sky.Cerro Chapelco blends a deep commitment to sustainability with a wide range of places to stay and breathtaking scenery-pine forests, clear mountain air-making it one of Argentina’s top spots for outdoor recreation.
