Catedral Alta Patagonia
Discover Catedral Alta Patagonia
Catedral Alta Patagonia (sometimes referred to as Cerro Catedral or Bariloche) is a large ski resort in the Andes mountains of Patagonia in western Argentina. The mountain is within the protected natural area of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Catedral Alta Patagonia is known for some of the most dramatic scenery of any ski resort with a true ski village, craggy snow-clad peaks and spectacular views of Lake Nahuel Huapi in the valley below. The ski resort is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere with a skiable area if 6 km² and a trail network of 120 km of ski runs. The mountain gets its name from the granite peaks that look like the spires on a grand Gothic church. The resort has 28 lifts that have a theoretical capacity of 35,000 skiers per hour, but many of the lifts are old, slow, and have ridiculously long lines. However, most visitors are relatively new to the sport and stay on the beginner or intermediate slopes while over 60% of the area is advanced and expert terrain, so once you get high enough on the mountain, you can make quite a lot of runs per hour.
What to Experience in Catedral Alta Patagonia
Taste of Catedral Alta Patagonia...
There are not many independent restaurants in the ski village (Villa Catedral), however, most hotels serve food and drink and there are places on-mountain where you can get food and drink. Some guests go to Bariloche for dinner or nightlife because the selection of restaurants is much wider (and often more affordable). In addition to the on-mountain lodging options shown here, a wide range of hotels at all price levels is available in nearby Bariloche (which is accessible by public bus service or taxi). Bariloche hotels could be a good choice for the traveler who wants a wider range of restaurants, nightlife, and cultural activities while saving money over high resort hotel costs.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFrom anywhere in Argentina or Chile, you will want to go to Bariloche (officially San Carlos de Bariloche, but nobody ever calls it that). The nearby city of Bariloche has a modern airport with frequent direct flights from Buenos Aires on Aerolineas Argentina or on Flybondi. Bariloche is also served by Gol and LATAM from São Paulo. From the airport, it is about 20 km to the ski resort. Local buses serving the resort are available, though most travelers with ski equipment will find it easier to use a taxi. If you choose to rent a car, the road is paved all the way. From downtown Bariloche or from the bus terminal, you can take the local MiBus Route 55 and 55B direct to Cerro Catedral. The ride takes 35 minutes. Buses run hourly with the first bus departing Bariloche at 07:00 and the last bus departing Cerro Catedral at 21:00. Be sure to check schedules locally as they likely change seasonally....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Walk, ski or ride a snowboard. A network of lifts criss-crosses the mountain, providing access to the peaks. A local bus service provides access to the nearby town of Bariloche. Some hotels provide shuttle service to and from the main ski lodge. During the summer, Cerro Catedral is a popular area for hiking and mountain biking. Lift service to the summit is available for hikers who'd rather walk down than up. There are not many independent restaurants in the ski village (Villa Catedral), however, most hotels serve food and drink and there are places on-mountain where you can get food and drink. Some guests go to Bariloche for dinner or nightlife because the selection of restaurants is much wider (and often more affordable). In addition to the on-mountain lodging options shown here, a wide range of hotels at all price levels is available in nearby Bariloche (which is accessible by public bus service or taxi).
Where to Stay
In addition to the on-mountain lodging options shown here, a wide range of hotels at all price levels is available in nearby Bariloche (which is accessible by public bus service or taxi). Bariloche hotels could be a good choice for the traveler who wants a wider range of restaurants, nightlife, and cultural activities while saving money over high resort hotel costs.
Money & Budget
There are not many independent restaurants in the ski village (Villa Catedral), however, most hotels serve food and drink and there are places on-mountain where you can get food and drink. Some guests go to Bariloche for dinner or nightlife because the selection of restaurants is much wider (and often more affordable). In addition to the on-mountain lodging options shown here, a wide range of hotels at all price levels is available in nearby Bariloche (which is accessible by public bus service or taxi). Bariloche hotels could be a good choice for the traveler who wants a wider range of restaurants, nightlife, and cultural activities while saving money over high resort hotel costs.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Catedral Alta Patagonia
beige cathedral
a large cathedral with a lot of tall pillars
La magnifique et accueillante ville de León en Espagne. Ville étape du Chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle.
a yellow building with red shutters on top of it
a large church with a clock tower on top of it
a large building with two towers on top of it
man standing near white building under blue sky
Stone building with intricate windows and decorations.
a church with a clock on the front of it
A large, ornate white stone cathedral with a tall spire.
beige cathedral
a large cathedral with a lot of tall pillars
La magnifique et accueillante ville de León en Espagne. Ville étape du Chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle.