Winter is quickly approaching in South America, and ski resorts across the Andes Mountains are putting their finishing touches on preparations for the 2026 ski season. Among them are a handful of massive resorts that rival the best in the world, offering thousands of acres of terrain and some of the best skiing in the southern hemisphere. Here are the five largest ski resorts in South America by total slope length.
#5. Nevados de Chillán (Chile), Cerro Castor (Argentina), Cerro Chapelco (Argentina)
Sharing the number five spot are Chile’s Nevados de Chillán and Argentina’s Cerro Castor and Chapelco. While all three resorts offer 21.75 miles (35 kilometers) of total slope length, their unique locations bring distinct mountain experiences.
Located in the Ñuble Region of Chile, Nevados de Chillán offers incredible alpine views and an abundance of powder. The resort is a popular destination for powder hounds, averaging 272 inches (691 centimeters) of snow each year. Nevados de Chillán is also home to one of the longest runs in the world, the eight-mile (13-kilometer) Las Tres Marías, as well as South America’s first snowpark. Nevados de Chillán has 16 lifts and 2,854 feet (870 meters) of vertical drop.
Cerro Castor is the world’s southernmost ski resort. Situated near Ushuaia (meaning “The End of the World), Cerro Castor offers 2,503 feet (763 meters) of vertical drop and a season that stretches from June to October, making it one of the longest seasons in Argentina.
Cerro Chapelco is known for its proximity to San Martín de los Andes, a popular Patagonian town known for its food, craft beer, and views of Lake Lácar and the nearby volcano of Lanín. Beginner and intermediate terrain compose over half of the resort’s trails, making it a popular destination for beginners looking to progress. Cerro Chapelco has 13 lifts and a vertical drop of 2,346 feet (715 meters).
#4. La Parva, Chile
Just an hour drive from the Chilean capital of Santiago, La Parva offers 23.6 miles (38 kilometers) of slope length, making it the fourth-largest ski resort in South America. Its proximity to Santiago gives it excellent views of the city, while it still enjoys smaller crowds due to the larger nearby resorts.
La Parva averages around 43 inches of snow annually, with its base depth often fluctuating. The resort relies heavily on just a few large storm cycles for natural snow; the rest is left up to snowmaking.
La Parva is a part of the Tres Valles pass, allowing easy access to the neighboring Valle Nevado and El ColoradoFarellones.
#3. Valle Nevado, Chile
Considered the most modern ski resort in South America, Valle Nevado is also its third largest, with 24.9 miles (40 kilometers) of slope length. It is a haven for seasoned skiers, with 54% of the resort’s terrain rated as advanced or expert. Steep bowls, chutes, and access to world-class heli-skiing make Valle Nevado a top choice for big line skiers. The resort also boasts the highest base elevation in the Southern Hemisphere, sitting at 9,925 feet (3,025 meters).
Like La Parva, Valle Nevado is just a short drive from Santiago, Chile.
Valle Nevado features some of the best ski infrastructure in South America. A gondola and a high-speed quad lift keep skiers moving quickly, helping to shorten lift lines from Valle Nevado’s larger crowds.
#2. Catedral Alta Patagonia, Argentina
With 29.8 miles (48 kilometers) of slope length, Catedral Alta Patagonia is South America’s second-largest resort. With 1,800 vertical feet (549 meters) of perfect groomers, rocky chutes, open bowls, terrain park jumps, snaking ridge runs, and cliffs, Catedral Alta Patagonia is a skier’s paradise.
Located in the Argentinian Andes, Catedral Alta Patagonia provides breathtaking views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the jagged granite towers that are sprinkled throughout Patagonia. It is roughly 12 miles (19 kilometers) from the town of San Carlos de Bariloche.
Conditions range from wet, compact snow at lower elevations to dry, powdery snow higher on the mountain. Catedral Alta Patagonia has 29 lifts, including a high-speed six-seater.
#1. El Colorado/Farellones, Chile
A 31.1-mile (50-kilometer) slope length makes the El Colorado/Farellones joint resort the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. The third resort in the Santiago area, El Colorado and Farellones has a total of 23 chairlifts with a vertical drop of 3,642 feet (1,110 meters).
El Colorado and Farellones are connected by a cable car and operate under a combined lift system.
What makes El Colorado and Farellones special is the unique vibe that each area offers. El Colorado, the larger of the two, contains extensive above-tree-line terrain with steep vertical drops. El Colorado is better suited to advanced and expert skiers, with 30% of its runs rated difficult. Farellones is the more beginner-friendly resort, with gentle beginner slopes, surface lifts, and a small 623-foot (190-meter) vertical drop. Farellones is also known for its village, which features a tubing park and canopy zip lines.
