# Ski instructors in Las Leñas

> A high, dry, serious mountain in Mendoza with legendary off-piste off the Marte chairlift, where Northern Hemisphere professionals train every August.

- Region: Malargüe, Mendoza
- Country: [Argentina](https://alpinepal.com/en/ski-instructors/argentina)
- Time zone: America/Argentina/Mendoza
- Currency: USD
- Coordinates: -35.14611, -70.08111
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1806472

Page: https://alpinepal.com/en/resorts/las-lenas
Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

## 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.

## 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.

## 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.

## Resort areas

- Base Las Leñas
- Sector Marte

## Meeting points

- Base de la telesilla Minerva

## Instructors at Las Leñas

_No instructors have joined here yet._

## Qualifications required in Argentina

Argentina has no state licence. The professional standard is the Instructor certification (AADIDES).

## Frequently asked 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.