Skiing with kids in Patagonia Argentina

Living an adventure on the snow can be great for children, from there that the practice of skiing is a must on your trip with kids to Patagonia Argentina. It will be a magical family experience, having the opportunity to share the adrenaline that gliding through snowy mountains provides, the white paradise where fun is the protagonist.

There is no discussion, the most important thing is to have a good time, especially the first day! The goal is to laugh with the children and make them want to repeat the experience. Being “first-timer” will be no impediment. Starting skiing will always be a challenge, but no matter how old it is, there are schools kids and teenagers on all levels.

Ready to replace your traditional shoes with a pair of skis? We tell you everything you can do and find at Cerro Catedral in Bariloche and Cerro Chapelco in San Martin de Los Andes. Two ski resorts in the Patagonian region that are internationally recognized, thanks to the quality of their snow, the safety on their slopes and the modern of their infrastructures. Let’s see!

1. CERRO CATEDRAL IN BARILOCHE

Located 15 km from Bariloche, it has the largest and most developed base in South America. It offers us 34 lifting media between cabs (chairlifts, doubles, triples, quadruples and sixfolds), magit carpet and drag media. Not for nothing is one of the favorites for skiing with kids in Patagonia Argentina.

To be more specific, there are more than 60 tracks and paths for all levels. The most emblematic is the “panoramic track”, with a tour from the top of Cerro Catedral. Descending the edge of the mountain -from the landing of the Nubes chairlift to Condor- gives us privileged views of Cerro Tronador, Lake Nahuel Huapi and the cathedral needles.

For those who are getting started in practice is Play Park. Located in the center of the base and at the foot of the mountain, it offers more than seven special means for beginners, including four Magic Carpets. They are easy and comfortable conveyor belts with light slopes perfect to take the first steps and learn this sport about snow.

In this sense, it is important to mention the ski schools that are in place. Ready to teach at all levels, styles and ages. From 3 to 16 years in the case of children’s school with schedules that are located between 10 and 16 hours for ski or snowboard lessons. Includes ski or table rental and boots (poles for the most advanced), helmet and cape for rainy days, also lunch. It will all depend on the policies of the companies dedicated to the classes in this center. At the end of this article we give you more details about it.

If we talk about food, it is important to consider alternatives of ascent by those means of elevation that take us to strategic points of the mountain, with access to gastronomic paradors (with warm spaces and spectacular terraces), and other activities such as Magig Donas, sledding, hiking with rackets, snowbus (walks on the slopes in a track pisa machine with heated cabin), and snowbmx (snow bikes).

Interesting and fun proposals for big boys and boys, to which is added the kids club. A space designed for children of all ages. It has a nursery for babies from 45 days to 3 years, and a space for children between 3 and 11 years old to get acquainted with snow and the mountains (with recreational, sports, didactic and gastronomic activities). All hands with specialists.

If you require more gastronomic variety, we inform you that you can also find bars, internet cafes, snacks, confectioneries, restaurants with typical and international food and other premises in the Shopping Center Las Terrazas (located in front of Plaza Catalina Reynal), and on the Plaza Amancay promenade (from this season).

Likewise, in Cerro Catedral you can have two ATMs, first aid care center with nursing room, x-rays, ambulance services and a specialized Private Medical Center. On-site bathrooms come with changing rooms for children. In short, Cerro Chapelco is ideal for a day of skiing with the boys in Patagonia Argentina.

2. CHAPELCO HILL IN SAN MARTIN DE LOS ANDES

A few kilometers from San Martín de los Andes is Located Chapelco. A hill of stones that in addition to giving us a preferential view of the Lanín volcano, Lake Lácar and the forests of lengas that surround it, it offers us an unforgettable adventure on the snow, with unique tours and cities from start to finish.

Each of its tracks has the presence of highly trained patrols, providing security through routes and several fixed positions that are located in strategic points of the hill. That’s how it’s become a favorite for skiing with guys in Patagonia Argentina.

They are 31 in total, with slopes ranging from 20º and 45º incline. That is, of different difficulties, providing alternatives for all ages and all levels. 1600 hectares of ski area where you will find all kinds of demands. From there that the youngest in the family can practice this sport. Likewise, the place has a ski or snowboard school that operates under the following modalities:

•         Private classes: recommended for all ages, beginners, intermediates and advanced who want a faster advance. Priority is given in the lifting media, allowing you to take advantage of the longest time available. Schedules may vary with 2-hour, half-day or late-afternoon alternatives.
•         Adult group classes: Specialists develop dynamic and fun classes for the progress of all participants. Groups are divided by levels, classes last 2:30 hours per day and those who can complete the week receive their end-of-year diploma.
•         Group classes for minors: In this case, instructors manufacture the ideal environment for children to enjoy the experience from learning. Groups are organized by age and levels like this:

o    Junior Academy (6-15 years from 10:30 to 16:30 hs): includes lunch in an exclusive dining room, have permanent wardens and at the end of the course participate in the weekly race where everyone receives medals and diplomas.

o Snow Garden (3 to 5 years at times from 10:30 to 16:30 hs): tailored to the smallest of the house, combining the correct doses of classes, recreation and stimulation; exclusive facilities for your first steps in the snow, safely.

In the meantime, babies (3 months to 3 years old) can spend a pleasant time in the Nursery, with specialized staff and designed for protection and shelter in a warm climate. There are play areas, bedrooms with cots, walk-ins and TVs. Parents can see them from another area if they wish.

If it is a snack, the slopes of Cerro Chapelco have ideal rest areas that both kids and large deserve after a day of skiing, without leaving aside the possibility of eating and hydrating because they offer us locals with delicacies to taste. There are several strategically distributed from the base, each with its specialty: fats-food, gourmet cuisine, typical regional dishes, steakhouses and the cafeteria.

After the above described, we invite you to take a look at the best excursions and tours in Ushuaia. In this article we offer you great options to complete your travel itinerary at this destination. Indeed, at the end of the world there is much more than skiing.

TIPS FOR A SNOW ADVENTURE

Here are some tips for skiing with kids in Patagonia Argentina:

•         It is essential to choose a good day to ski if it is your first time. Without much sun and little wind, avoiding intense snowfall.
•         Before climbing the slopes, it is important to hydrate well and eat even better. The idea is to avoid those “hunger or thirst attacks” they usually give us. Adults can hold out so far for the snack, but the kids don’t so much and you don’t want them to interrupt the ski without even having 2 hours on the snow.
•         Several layers of clothing are suggested to protect against the cold. The first one takes away the moisture that sweat causes on the skin (synthetic fiber garments are recommended for proper perspiration). The second isolates us from cold and wind based on achieving a stable body temperature (synthetic and light fibers are suggested that do not hinder movement). The third protects and covers the previous layers (must be a waterproof, breathable and windbreaker garment).
•         Pants should be waterproof and with ankle adjustments to prevent water from entering.
•         Also waterproof gloves, preferably those that are designed for snow. That is, special fibers in overlapping thin layers.
•         You cannot miss a cap with fleece lining, ears and fleece collar, avoiding wool scarves that, in addition to getting wet, pose a danger in case of some maneuvers.
•         To prevent the feet of kids and you adults from being cold, it is recommended that the shoe be medium or high cane boots, with thick sole and rubber. This prevents water and skating from entering. Preferably lined with insulating fabrics and not plastic.
•         Glasses are a critical accessory to prevent eye damage, even in those younger children or babies who will only be traveling around the place and will be exposed for very little time. It is recommended to buy them in specialized optics, in order to ensure that they filter UV rays and there are no harmful consequences on children’s eyes.
•         Sunscreen is important for the face which is the only area of skin exposed in the snow. Remember that children burn very easily. It is suggested to apply it half an hour before reaching the track and spreading it generously throughout the complexion, including eyelids and lips.
•         For the first day you do not need to buy a computer. Skis, boots, canes and helmet can be rented in shops in each centre. Some schools include it in the class package.
•         Immortalizing the journey with photos is essential, especially for the memory of children. You choose whether you do it with a camera or your mobile phone, the important thing is to bring the batteries well charged to everything it gives! And if possible an extra. Devices to adapt a go-pro are an excellent choice for capturing the best moments.

ABOUT THE SKI SCHOOLS OFFERED BY COMPANIES

Groups are organized according to the ages and level of the participants. Based on this, the number of kids per instructor is defined. Keep in mind that the key to learning is continuity, so it is advised that the child attend 3 days of school. However, there are times when the skill of the little ones allows them to slide faster.

•         There is a youth and children’s school at the base, for children from 4 to 12 years old and young people from 17 to 13 years old with mandatory helmet use, usually provided by the academy. There are half-day and full-day options, through packs of 1 day, 3 days and 6 days.
•         In the base are taught collective classes, which includes 2 days for beginners. If you hire in teams of 4 to 12 people it is two hours, if they are 2 to 3 students the duration is 1:30 hs. In this case there are two alternatives: class plus ski or snowboard equipment and only class.
•         There is the option of exclusive classes, with priority of passage in the means of elevation so they do not include equipment, but pre-formed groups of 2 or 3 people. The options are: 2 hs, 3 hs (half day) and 6 hs (full day).
•         There are semi-exclusive classes, with pre-formed groups of 4 to 6 people with options of one to six days of classes, 2 hours a day.
•         Prices vary by season, high or low. There are rates per person and for pre-formed groups. The collective class can be more economical.

Reservations are available if paid 24 hours in advance, otherwise instructor availability is not guaranteed. There are also refund alternatives, it all depends on the policies of the contracted company. In the meantime, the class schedule is pre-conversed and defined based on the needs of the participants.

Contact our specialists via whatsapp, they will help you choose the ideal itinerary for your family adventure, including transfers to the place or accommodation in the Cathedral and Chapelco hills. Whichever you choose for your skiing adventure with kids in Patagonia Argentina, it gives you options of inns that add to the plaza of the cities Bariloche and San Martin de Los Andes.

Consult, plan and feel with your family the vertigo and unique thrill of gliding on the snow.