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Cerro Bayo: a New Kind of Ski Area

Written by Shanie

There is a Patagonian ski area near us that we’ve mentioned before that is going about the winter wonderland business in a different way.

Cerro Bayo, located in the Patagonian village of Villa La Angostura, has created a fusion between the regular ski experience and the boutique flair.

What does that mean exactly? Well, let me explain.

Cerro Bayo erupts from the water’s edge of Lago Nahuel Huapi to a summit elevation of almost 5,900 feet (1,782 meters). Because of the mountain’s close proximity to water, the views from anywhere on the mountain are stupendous. The 360 degree lookout includes the Andes range extending into Chile, which involves hundreds of mountains and volcanoes, the Argentine Steppe extending to the east and the glistening expanse of Lago Nahuel Huapi’s azure water.

It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world, in my opinion.

With the boutique idea in mind, the ski area was built with European ideals. Top executives of such Europeans ski areas as Chamonix were brought in to develop the ski center. Their ski school was also created with the traditional European teaching techniques in mind.

The ski corporation of Cerro Bayo created the ski area with the views held in high importance. When the corporation built the three mile (6 km) dirt road up to the ski area, they built multiple viewing decks. These rest areas allow for people of all physical abilities to enjoy a lofty view of the lakes and mountains.

The boutique experience extends from the views along the road to the dining options on the mountain. Throughout the area there are well-built refugios (lodges) to sit, eat and enjoy the experience.

The refugios offer more than the traditional burger to their skiers. Delicious salads and Argentine steaks are offered as well as a wide array of homemade desserts. It also boasts the location of restaurant Balcón del Zorro (Balcony of the Fox), one of the top restaurants in the area.

The ski area contains six chair lifts and four Pomas, allowing transport of over 6000 people per hour. The lifts access you to twelve kilometers of in-bound skiing where you will find the best grooming job in the country. There are also unlimited amounts of backcountry skiing that are accessible from the top chair. It is possible to find fresh areas of snow days after a storm on the off piste because of the small crowds.

Cerro Bayo also offers specials for their guests. There is homemade chocolate sold on the mountain, clothing as well as gear rentals located at the base and special events. In winter months there are ski and snowboard competitions and ski demo days for guests to try out new gear, free of charge. They also offer their last weekend of skiing for free.

In the summer there are Rugby and Polo competitions as well as Bossa and Jazz concerts.

Cerro Bayo is a classy, upscale mountain experience without the attitude. I recommend it to anyone that enjoys the finer things in life.