A new snow park in the south of Mendoza comes this year to increase the offer of these small and family centers, which allow you to enjoy the snow in different ways; from skiing or snowboarding to having fun with sledding, tubing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling or dog sledding.
And also practice cross-country skiing, build snowmen or enjoy a good family picnic in a landscape of white and mountains.
Here, the main alternatives to experience the snow with much lower budgets than those of traditional ski centers, although also, of course, with less infrastructure and a variety of slopes and facilities.
In Mendoza , the main alternative is Los Puquios , a “mini ski center” installed on the edge of international route 7, 188 km from the provincial capital, which opened the season on July 1. It is a complete park with 3 lifts and 11 slopes to encourage the first descents, as well as a snow park to do pirouettes.
Los Puquios, a complete park of nine in the high mountains of Mendoza.
The day pass in high season costs $2,200; half day, $1,900; and two hours, $1,400 (www.puquios.com.ar).
“Come with the mesh”, says on its website the new Termas del Cajón Grande snow park , in the south of Mendoza, 120 km from Malargüe and near the border with Chile. Because here you can enjoy snow activities and thermal baths at the same time.
There is a ski and snowboard track, sleds, space to enjoy with the family in a place with picnic tables, thermal baths in the middle of the Cordillera and high mountain cuisine. Also some cabins, and other accommodations 10 km away. From Las Loicas to the park there are 10 km of land that is suggested to be done by van, better if it is 4×4 (there is a transfer service).
Thermal baths in the snow at Termas del Cajón Grande, Mendoza.
The day pass, with access to ski slopes and sledding, hot springs and insurance, costs $3,900 for adults and $2,900 for children 4 to 12 years old. Snowmobile ride, $1,000 per person (termasdelcajongrande.com.ar).
Neuquen and Rio Negro
In the center-west of Neuquén, 10 km from Villa Pehuenia, there is one of the main options when it comes to choosing low-cost snow: the Batea Mahuida hill , administered by the Puel Mapuche community, has 4 lifts and 8 slopes for skiing and snowboarding, individual and group classes, rental, restaurant and spectacular views of Lake Aluminé and the Araucaria forest.
The Batea Mahuida hill has 4 media, 8 slopes and impressive panoramic views of the Neuquén mountain range.
There are also sledding and snowmobile rides. Activity rates for this season are not yet available (www.cerrobateamahuida.com).
Another cheaper and smaller option in Neuquén is the Primeros Pinos park , which, 50 km from Zapala along Provincial Route 13, is the closest to Alto Valle and Neuquén capital. With a lift and two slopes , the place has a grocery store, a shelter with a cafeteria, restrooms, a kiosk, ski and ski equipment rental, and an infirmary. And all in the middle of a landscape dotted with araucarias (opening still to be confirmed).
In Río Negro, the popular Cerro Otto , 10 km from the center of Bariloche, has toboggan runs, snowshoe walks , Otto Circuit (hanging bridge, Forest Labyrinth, Deforming Mirrors Cabin, guided walk), cable car, funicular , panoramic decks and rotating confectionery.
Cerro Otto, a Bariloche classic with snow activities.
Ascent and descent by cable car, $1,600 for adults, $1,100 for children (6 to 12 years). Bobsleds (3 ascents and descents), $800; snowshoeing, $800 (www.telefericobariloche.com.ar).
Very close, Piedras Blancas is a recreational center with toboggan runs , a zip line and more than a thousand meters of tubing . There are also chairlifts, high-altitude games and a snow safari on sleds pulled by snowmobiles.
Toboggans (6 chairlift ascents and 6 descents), $3,500 for adults, $2,500 for minors; tubing (one ascent and one descent), $2,000; zipline, $2,600 (chairlift ascent and descent in two sections); sled+tubing promo, $4,900 for adults, $3,600 for minors; Full Pass (sleigh+zipline+tubing), $7,000 for adults, $6,000 for minors (www.piedrasblancasbariloche.com).
Valdelen, in Río Turbio, surprises with tracks, sleds, snowshoeing and other activities.
Well south
Four km from Río Turbio , in the southwest of Santa Cruz, the Valdelen Winter Sports Center , of the Club Andino Río Turbio, offers three lifts, seven slopes and the possibility of skiing with artificial lighting. There are also activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, a toboggan run, and a climbing wall, among others. Check rates (www.valdelen.com).
In Tierra del Fuego, almost on the shores of the Beagle Channel, the panoramic views of the Ushuaia School are the ideal accompaniment for taking the first steps on the snow: with a medium and a track, the place specializes in giving classes to beginners, both individual as well as group.
The school is 7 km from the city center and also has a shelter with fast food, a cafeteria, homemade cakes and mulled wine.
In high season, a one-hour individual ski or snowboard lesson costs $3,450; for two people, $2,700 each; and a collective class (from 4 to 8 people); $1,800 per person (escuelaushuaia.com).
Near the city, the Carbajal and Tierra Mayor valleys , on the side of route 3, have a series of winter activity centers such as Altos del Valle , Nunatak, Tierra Mayor , Llanos del Castor , Valle Hermoso , Las Parrots or Haruwen .
Diversity of proposals in the snow in the winter centers of the Tierra Mayor Valley.
In them you can practice cross-country and alpine skiing, snowboarding or do sledding excursions pulled by Siberian and Alaskan dogs, snowshoeing, night crossings and other activities in the snow and the forest.
