Las Leñas
Malargüe, MendozaSee it on the map
About Las Leñas
Las Leñas is where serious skiers go in the Southern Hemisphere winter. It sits high and dry in Mendoza province, well north of the Patagonian resorts, and its reputation rests almost entirely on one lift: the Marte chairlift, which opens access to a huge amount of steep, exposed off-piste terrain.
That lift only runs when conditions and the patrol allow, which can mean days of waiting — and when it does open after a storm, the skiing is as good as anywhere on earth. Professional skiers and film crews from the Northern Hemisphere come here every August for exactly that.
The base is purpose-built and functional rather than charming. There is no town: you come for the mountain.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026
Best suited to
- Advanced skiers
- Off-piste and freeride
- Intermediates
Featured instructors at Las Leñas
No instructors available at this resort yet
Nobody is offering lessons here for now — try a nearby resort, or check back soon.
Do you teach at Las Leñas?
Join Alpine Pal, publish your profile and reach the customers already looking for lessons right here.
Where lessons start
There is beginner terrain at the base and it is perfectly adequate, but nobody travels to Las Leñas to learn a snowplough. Where an instructor earns their fee here is off-piste technique and terrain judgement — and knowing whether Marte is likely to open, which is a local's read rather than a forecast.
Resort areas
- Base Las Leñas
- Sector Marte
Suggested meeting points
- Base de la telesilla Minerva
Getting there
Malargüe is the nearest town, about 70 km away, with a small airport. Mendoza is around six hours by road and San Rafael about three. It is a long way from anywhere, which is part of why it stays uncrowded.
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 ArgentinaLas Leñas: common questions
When is the Marte chairlift likely to be open?
Only when the patrol clears it, which after a big storm can mean days of waiting. The most consistent window is August, when the Northern Hemisphere professionals come for exactly that reason — but no forecast guarantees it. Book several days rather than one, and ask your instructor for their read of the morning: locals judge it far better than any website.
How do I get to Las Leñas, and where do I stay?
Malargüe, about 70 km away, is the nearest town and has a small airport; Mendoza is around six hours by road and San Rafael about three. There is no village at the resort, so you stay in the purpose-built base and walk to the lifts. It is a long way from anywhere, which is exactly why the slopes stay quiet.
Book a lesson in Las Leñas
Compare instructors who teach here, message them before you commit, and pay securely through the platform.
Find an instructor