Winter Bucket List: Unmissable Experiences on Argentinian Snow

Temperatures begin to drop, and along with that, the snowflakes hit the ground and start to build up. The soil turns white; coffees begin to taste better than ever; and fireplaces are ready to heat homes with their flames. Wardrobes get packed with wool, and the tip of our noses gently become red. Winter is here and, with it, an unmistakable magic.

In many parts of the world, the cold season is represented by skis, scarves, and coats. In Argentina, it evokes much, much more than that. It is the season in which the End of the World puts on its whitest suit and is prettier than ever. When the whales approach the coast of Chubut to be discovered while dancing in its waters. When Mendoza’s wine, one of the best in the world, warms spirits and delights palates at the foot of the snowy Andes Mountains. And when chocolates of the national capital become tastier than ever.

The Argentinian winter implies gastronomy, landscapes, adventure, and sheer charm. In this note, we list seven wonderful experiences that only this country offers:

 Taste the Most Delicious Chocolate in Bariloche

Bariloche is the National Capital of Chocolate and where the Chocolate Festival takes place. These two facts illustrate well enough how seriously this sweet is taken here. After a day of skiing, with cold weather and snow, your exhausted legs deserve a reward, and what’s better than some of the local delights with cocoa? As a hot drink, in bonbons, stuffed, with almonds, white, chocolate en rama (like the classic chocolate Flake, but local), and more varieties delight travellers on Civic Centre’s shop windows. They come in such beautiful formats that you may not want to eat them, or… Well, surely you will!

Why has the city of San Carlos de Bariloche taken over that pleasure? The first theory is related to low temperatures: what’s nicer than recharging your batteries with the most enjoyable calories? The second, on the other hand, is linked to its history, since the first chocolate shop belonged to an Italian called Aldo Fenoglio –which evidences the European influence on the origins of the destination.

In addition to being the Argentinian headquarters of chocolate, Bariloche has a lot to offer. You can rest on the beaches of its mirrored lakes (such as Nahuel Huapi, Gutiérrez, Moreno, Guillelmo, and Mascardi), photograph its panoramic points, make a road trip around the famous Circuito Chico, and practice snow sports on the great Cerro Catedral ski resort.

 Step on the End of the World in Ushuaia

Ushuaia is obviously the realm of adventures: we’re talking about the very End of the World. These lands look great dressed in white, and the experience of visiting them below zero is absolutely majestic. It is no wonder that the southernmost city on the planet exudes its true charm in winter.

What must you do in this destination? The journey can’t but include a trip on wheels on the mythical Tren del Fin del Mundo (Train of the End of the World), where the feeling of being in a film is commonplace. Another must is navigating the Beagle Channel, and seeing the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse nestled in its waters, a photographer’s favourite for its vivid colours. A 4x4 vehicle adventure is also mandatory, especially if it is towards the lakes Escondido and Fagnano —two true stars.

The thud of visitors’ heartbeats is loud and, of course, there are plenty of opportunities to feel moved by the snow’s blinding beauty. Campfires under the moonlight, sled rides with Siberian dogs, snowshoeing, frozen waterfalls, horse riding among snowy peaks, skiing in all its variations on Cerro Castor (which has the longest snow season in the country), and more experiences complete the trip, keeping it in your memory forever. Who can forget an experience at the End of the World?

 Get Warm with the World’s Best Wines in Mendoza

The Argentinian wine capital also welcomes winter with open arms and adds an unbeatable extra component: the best wines in the world. Doesn’t that pair well with the cold? At the foot of the impressive snow-capped Andes Mountain Range, a glass of Malbec has never tasted so good.

It is among the 10 great wine capitals according to Great Wine Capitals, and in 2020, 22 wines from Mendoza received gold and platinum medals at the renowned Decanter World Wine Awards, where around 15,000 labels were blindly tasted. Multi-awarded internationally, wines are great companions for low temperatures. For winter, winemakers recommend full-bodied and complex reds, and Mendoza is the best place to find them: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, and the list goes on.

Yet, that is not all: in addition to attracting demanding palates, it also draws in many snow sport experts. Why? Because it has many renowned ski resorts, such as Las Leñas (one of the highest in the country and with one of the longest slopes in South America) and Penitentes (near Aconcagua, the highest peak in America).

It is also worth mentioning its natural hot springs, nested by incredible mountains and ideal for relaxing in warm waters. Cacheuta hot springs on the banks of the Mendoza River are the most famous. Outdoor spa in the middle of nature.

 Drink Whisky with Ice from the Perito Moreno Glacier

A luxury: the expression that best defines the experience of making a toast with ice from the 8th wonder of the world, the Perito Moreno glacier. Among mountains and forests, this icy mass imposes an intense and infinite heavenly colour over its 250 sq. km., hypnotising the human eye. Considered one of the most important in the world, it is the main figure of the set of glaciers making up Los Glaciares National Park in the province of Santa Cruz. The invitation to visit it can’t be refused, it deserves a place on your bucket list at least once in a lifetime.

With metal crampons in your feet and specialised guides, you can experience an unforgettable trekking and walk on the frozen terrain of this World Heritage Site, suitable to everyone for its low difficulty level. The hour-and-a-half adventure includes deep and fascinating crevasses tinted blue, small streams, and, of course, ice... A lot of ice.

Nature, pure and frozen air, and the beautiful sound of silence witness the expedition that ends with a toast with whiskey and ice pieces from the glacier. A more than deserved drink to warm up the body and take a photo of the special moment. If luck is on your side, the show continues with huge blocks of ice falling into the water, making people’s jaws drop. Unparalleled winter experience unlocked.

For more enjoyment, the trip through Santa Cruz must also include a tour around El Calafate city (and, why not sitting down and having a drink in its ice bar?). You can’t miss out on an exercise for your legs in the National Capital of Trekking, El Chaltén. Some recommended trails are Laguna de los Tres (with the classic view from the foot of the majestic Cerro Fitz Roy), Laguna Capri, Chorrillo del Salto, and more. Continue contemplating glaciers; Upsala or Vespignani must be part of the tour. Also, a trip back in time in the legendary Cueva de las Manos, also declared a World Heritage Site, is mandatory. And if you want to delight your taste buds, you can’t go back home without trying the emblematic Patagonian lamb.

 Be Part of a Fairy Tale in Villa La Angostura’s Forests

As if it were taken from a fairy tale, Villa La Angostura is a small town 90 kilometres from Bariloche and at the foot of Nahuel Huapi Lake, where nature preservation and the environment’s peace make it a fantastic winter paradise. It has it all to be the perfect shelter in the snow season: incredible landscapes, deep and colourful forests, warm tea houses, rustic and quaint lodges, and, for adventurers, 200 hectares and 22 ski slopes with incredible views on Cerro Bayo.

Its beauty is enhanced when it becomes white, and it is a great starting point to discover the attractions of the area. One of the greatest is Los Arrayanes National Park, one of the few native-tree exclusive forests left in the world. Its more than 1,800 hectares cover the entire Quetrihué Peninsula. The orange shades of the trunks, with over 300 years and 18 metres of height, perfectly combine with the white hues of the snow. Inside, you have to look for the classic wooden cabin, perfectly placed for the photo.

Other incredible spots are the Río Bonito Waterfall, the Espejo Chico Lake (famous on Instagram for the colours of its water), the Correntoso Lake, the Quetrihué Viewpoints offering amazing panoramic views, Manzano Bay, and the beaches of Mansa and Brava Bays. And, make sure you go to Villa Traful, a worthwhile getaway.

Watch Whales in Puerto Madryn

June is coming, and the Argentinian cold with it. Whales start arriving at the shores of Puerto Madryn. Chubut is one of the favourite locations in Argentina for wildlife watching, and in this case, we’re talking about none other than sea giants. Along the three-kilometre coastline, whales play around and lean out of the water in an unprecedented natural spectacle.

The leading star is the southern right whale, whose reproductive cycle coincides with the beginning of winter (that is why they can be seen at this time of the year). Although the season goes from June to November, their preferred month is October, and the best place for watching them is on the beaches of the El Doradillo Natural Protected Area.

Why is Puerto Madryn ideal? Because of the duration of the season and its proximity to the coast. You don’t need binoculars to spot the majestic cetaceans dancing in the water. Now, although the beaches are great for watching them, the most enthusiastic and adventurous souls can choose to embark on one of the excursions departing from Puerto Pirámides, a World Heritage Site, and search for the creatures from the sea.

Yet, whales are not the only stars of the cold in Chubut: sea lions, elephant seals, Patagonian birds, and dolphins can also be found by tourists throughout the year.

Ski in the Andes Mountains

At very affordable prices (about half of the price compared to the rest of the world), Argentina gives snow sport fans incredible snowy mountainsides. The season can be of up to 5 months (from June to October), and it unfolds in the provinces of Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz, and Tierra del Fuego.

Each ski resort has between 20 and 30 slopes, all with different difficulty options so that everyone can comfortably explore the mountains: beginners, advanced, and experts. Visitors can also take classes, along with recreational activities ranging from trekking and snowshoeing to sleigh rides.

Chapelco is among the most recognized resorts. Located in San Martín de los Andes, this centre was awarded by the World Ski Awards for the last four years in a row. Moreover, Argentinian snow found its home in one of the largest resorts in South America, Cerro Catedral in Bariloche. At the foot of the Caviahue volcano, in Neuquén, there is a ski resort with the same name; its privileged location guarantees the snow quality and quantity. Skiing at the End of the World is also possible at Cerro Castor, the southernmost resort on the planet. In Mendoza, there are four ski centres suitable for all tastes: some are small and perfect for families, while others, like Las Leñas, captivate extreme sport lovers with excellent conditions for backcountry skiing. There are plenty of alternatives.