Chapelco
San Martín de los Andes, NeuquénSee it on the map
About Chapelco
Chapelco sits above San Martín de los Andes, one of the most attractive towns in Argentine Patagonia, and it is the polished, family-oriented alternative to Bariloche's scale and Las Leñas's severity.
The mountain runs from lenga forest at the base to open alpine terrain at the top, which means it holds definition on a flat-light day in a way the treeless resorts cannot. The views over Lago Lácar and across to the Lanín volcano are the other reason people come.
It is smaller and quieter than Catedral, better groomed than most Argentine resorts, and the town below is genuinely lovely.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026
Best suited to
- Families
- Beginners
- Intermediates
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Where lessons start
One of the better places in Argentina for a first week: the beginner terrain is gentle and well laid out, the mountain is small enough to learn without travelling, and the tree-lined runs make bad-weather days workable.
Resort areas
- Base Chapelco
Suggested meeting points
- Base, junto a la escuela de esquí
Getting there
Chapelco airport serves San Martín de los Andes with flights from Buenos Aires; the resort is about 20 km from town. Bariloche is around three hours by road, which makes a two-resort trip straightforward.
Qualifications required in Argentina
Argentina has no state teaching licence. The professional standard is the Instructor certification, and Alpine Pal shows what each instructor actually holds so you can judge it for yourself.
Find instructors in ArgentinaChapelco: common questions
Is Chapelco good for beginners and families?
Yes — it is one of the better places in Argentina for a first week. The beginner terrain is gentle and well laid out, the mountain is small enough to learn without travelling around it, and the runs through lenga forest keep their definition on a flat-light day. San Martín de los Andes, 20 km below, is a lovely, quiet base.
How do I get to Chapelco?
Fly to Chapelco airport, which serves San Martín de los Andes from Buenos Aires; the resort is about 20 km from town. Bariloche is around three hours by road, so combining Chapelco with Cerro Catedral in one trip is straightforward. The season runs from June to October, with July and August the busiest months.
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