Ski resorts

Best Places to Ski in the Southern Hemisphere You Didn’t Know Existed

Even though it's not always obvious, there is always somewhere to ski, regardless of the season. While ski resorts in the Northern Hemisphere transform into summer playgrounds from June to October, winter lovers know that this is when the Southern Hemisphere truly comes alive.

From well-known ski resorts in Chile and Argentina to remote glaciers in Colombia and Bolivia, the Southern Hemisphere offers adventurous skiers the chance to discover unique, high-altitude terrain with stunning surroundings. We'll showcase some of the most unique and wild places for your next visit.

The Northern Andes' Wilds

When people think of South American skiing, they usually think of Argentina and Chile, and for good reason. Nonetheless, the Andes span nearly the whole length of the continent and pass through a number of countries with fantastic high-altitude skiing potential.

The benefits for adventurous skiers are unmatched, despite the lack of infrastructure in places like Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela. These areas are best suited for experienced ski mountaineers because many of the best spots are on remote glaciers with little or no resort facilities.

Ideal timing:

Late April to June (post-wet season) in Bolivia and Peru

Colombia: For best results, November

Skiing in Colombia

Massive volcanoes in Colombia's Los Nevados mountain range provide exceptional skiing conditions. Even though there isn't much terrain, the experience is remarkable. You can easily reach high starting places for large descents thanks to the southwest road to Nevado del Ruiz, which climbs to 4,900 meters.

Ritacuba Blanco on the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, the highest mountain in the Cordillera Oriental, is another choice. You will have to hike to the top because there are no ski lifts, but even for seasoned mountaineers, the climb is easy. Be ready for a glacier crossing and erratic weather.

Skiing in Bolivia

At 5,100 meters above sea level, Chacaltaya Mountain in Bolivia previously housed the highest ski resort in the world. Although the glacier has unfortunately disappeared as a result of climate change, there are still several ski-mountaineering opportunities in the nation.

At 4,200 meters, the settlement of Sajama provides access to notable peaks like Parinacota and Pomerape, which soar above 6,000 meters. You can then go 20 kilometres to a refuge at 5,100 meters, which is a great starting point for touring Bolivia's majestic Andean peaks.

Skiing in Peru

Although Peru lacks conventional ski resorts, its untamed landscape offers ski-mountaineers amazing terrain. Snow frequently persists into July in the southern Cordillera Blanca, particularly in the area of Pastoruri, drawing both locals and tourists.

For more daring expeditions, the 6,000-meter peaks of Copa and Hualcán provide difficult but worthwhile ski descents for those who are prepared to ascend.

Final Thoughts

It's not always clear where the finest spots to ski are. A world of isolated, high-altitude experiences awaits skiers and snowboarders seeking to combine their mountaineering prowess with breathtaking scenery outside the well-known resorts of the Southern Hemisphere. If you know where to look, you can find snow anywhere, whether you're high-Andes trekking in Bolivia, glacier touring in Peru, or volcano skiing in Colombia.