Ten Winter Gems of Patagonia: a Guide for the GLOBAL Traveller
From Bariloche to Puerto Natales, a complete guide to discovering Patagonia at its most pure: snowy, intimate and free from summer crowds.
During the months of June through September, when the region turns white, Patagonia transforms into a dream destination for lovers of snow and wild nature. Far from the summer bustle, winter offers postcard landscapes, clear skies and a unique connection with local culture. In this guide we explore ten key destinations, selected for their winter beauty and varied range of activities, so that international travellers know what to expect, what to do and how to make the most of the Patagonian experience.
A journey through two countries
Patagonia, shared by Argentina and Chile, is a vast territory of contrasts. International travellers typically arrive through the main airports: San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC), El Calafate (FTE) for the glaciers, or Punta Arenas (PUQ) and Puerto Montt (PMC) in Chile. A 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended for mountain roads, National Route 40 and the Carretera Austral; in winter it is mandatory to carry chains and check road conditions. The proximity between cities makes circuits easy: from Bariloche, Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes are easily accessible via the Route of the Seven Lakes (≈190 km).
🧳 Practical tips for the winter traveller
Smart packing
The key is layering: thermal underwear (base layer), wool or fleece garments (mid layer) and a windproof, waterproof jacket (outer layer). Essentials: hat, gloves, sunglasses and waterproof mountain boots.
Book in advance
The winter season is increasingly popular. For destinations like El Calafate or Torres del Paine, book accommodation and excursions several months ahead.
Travel insurance
Essential: a policy that covers mountain activities and cancellations due to adverse weather conditions.
Variable weather
Be prepared for sudden temperature changes and strong winds, especially on the steppe. Snow can arrive at any time.
1. San Carlos de Bariloche — The snow capital
Nestled in the heart of Andean Patagonia, surrounded by Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche is the quintessential winter destination. Its Alpine-style Civic Centre and the famous Mitre Street, lined with chocolate shops, are the perfect starting point for any winter adventure.
⛷️ Must-do activities
Skiing and snowboarding at Cerro Catedral, South America's largest ski resort, suitable for all levels. For families, the Piedras Blancas Snow Park offers sledding and tubing. Another option: ride the cable car to Cerro Otto for a panoramic view of the lake and snow-covered mountain range.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Patagonian lamb and smoked lake trout are the star dishes. Bariloche is famous for its chocolate trail and craft beer scene.
Not to miss: afternoon tea with scones in the teahouses along Avenida Bustillo.
🥾 Trails
The Circuito Chico, which skirts the lake, is a classic by car or bike with stops at Cerro Campanario. For something more intimate, the trail to Laguna Negra offers a beautifully snowy landscape.
2. El Calafate — Gateway to the glaciers
El Calafate, on the shores of Lake Argentino, is the starting point for one of the world's natural wonders: the Perito Moreno Glacier. In winter, the experience is even more magical, with the imposing mass of ice surrounded by snow-capped mountains and far fewer tourists than in summer.
⛷️ Must-do activities
A visit to the Perito Moreno walkways is unmissable. You can also do a mini-trek on the glacier with crampons (requires good physical fitness and advance booking). Not to miss: a cruise on Lake Argentino to see the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Patagonian lamb roasted on the asador (cross-spit) is the reigning dish and a cultural experience. You can also try guanaco or venison, and taste the calafate liqueur, made from the native berry that gives the city its name.
🥾 Trails
The Perito Moreno walkway trail offers easy access with tiered, breathtaking views. For something more peaceful, the Laguna Nimez Reserve is a wetland ideal for spotting flamingos and ducks.
3. Ushuaia — The end of the world
Ushuaia, the southernmost city on the planet, is a unique and unrepeatable destination. In winter, the Beagle Channel, the Fuegian forests and the Andes mountain range dress in white, offering an incomparable natural spectacle at the end of the world.
⛷️ Must-do activities
Skiing at Cerro Castor, the world's southernmost ski resort, with a guaranteed long season. A cruise along the Beagle Channel allows you to spot sea lions and the iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Tierra del Fuego National Park offers snowy trails through unique Fuegian forest.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Centolla (king crab) and Fuegian lamb on the stake are the most emblematic dishes. Don't leave without trying black hake or the wild berry sweets: raspberry, calafate and wild strawberry.
🥾 Trails
In the National Park, the "Island Walk" and the "Coastal Path" offer easy hikes with views of the channel. For more adventure, the ascent to Martial Glacier is an extraordinary experience.
4. San Martín de los Andes — Andean beauty with an alpine spirit
This picturesque city, on the shore of Lake Lácar, is famous for its mountain architecture and peaceful atmosphere. In winter, snow transforms the landscape into an alpine postcard, with Cerro Chapelco as the season's star and the snow-capped Lanín Volcano in the background.
⛷️ Must-do activities
Skiing and snowboarding at Cerro Chapelco, with runs for all levels and a skiable area larger than many resorts in the country. You can also go snowshoeing through the forests of Lanín National Park.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Central European-inspired dishes are a winter classic: goulash with spaetzle (homemade egg noodles) and lentil stews alongside a craft beer by the fireplace.
🥾 Trails
The Mirador Bandurrias Trail offers a panoramic view of the city and the lake. The lakeside promenade is accessible to all. The Route of the Seven Lakes becomes a postcard road in winter.
5. Villa La Angostura — The garden of Patagonia
Known as "the garden of Patagonia", this small village on Lake Nahuel Huapi offers a peaceful atmosphere and intimate natural beauty. It is the ideal destination for those seeking a less crowded experience without sacrificing snow quality or Patagonian scenery.
⛷️ Must-do activities
Skiing at Cerro Bayo, a boutique resort with varied-difficulty runs and an incredible view of Nahuel Huapi. There are also snowshoe hikes through the arrayán and lenga beech forests of Los Arrayanes National Park.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Stews, lamb, trout and craft beer dominate the winter menu. Several teahouses offer homemade cakes and artisan jams to escape the cold.
🥾 Trails
The Mirador Belvedere Trail offers a short but steep hike with spectacular views. For something more relaxed, the Island Trail at Lake Correntoso is accessible and very photogenic.
6. Esquel — History, snow and the Old Patagonian Express
Esquel, at the foot of the Chubut mountain range, is famous for its ski resort La Hoya, known as "the mountain of the clouds" for the powder quality of its snow. But Esquel is also a town with Welsh heritage and a legendary train that crosses the steppe.
⛷️ Must-do activities
Skiing at La Hoya, famous for its high-quality powder snow and uncrowded atmosphere. A must-do excursion is La Trochita, the Old Patagonian Express: a steam train that crosses the steppe and forest on a journey that feels like the 19th century.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Patagonian lamb, river trout and the products of Welsh baking in nearby Trevelin: dark cakes, homemade bread and tea just like in Wales — a unmissable cultural experience.
🥾 Trails
Los Alerces National Park is just 50 km away and offers trails such as the Irigoyen Waterfall trail, accessible in winter among centuries-old snowy alerce trees.
7. Puerto Varas, Chile — Volcanoes, lakes and German-rooted cuisine
Situated on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, Puerto Varas is known for its German-influenced architecture and the imposing conical silhouette of Osorno Volcano reflected in the lake. In winter, the snow-covered volcanic landscape has a cinematic beauty.
⛷️ Must-do activities
Cruising Lake Todos los Santos to reach Peulla, surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes. Visiting the Petrohué Falls, turquoise waterfalls in Valdivian rainforest. And skiing at the Osorno Volcano ski centre.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Strongly influenced by German immigration: kuchen (fruit cake), strudel and craft beers coexist with the traditional Chilean curanto cooked underground with hot stones.
🥾 Trails
The Osorno Volcano trail leads to the foot of the snow-covered cone with views of the lake and the Andes. There are also hikes through Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile's oldest national park.
8. El Chaltén — The winter trekking capital
Although known for its summer trails, El Chaltén, at the foot of the imposing Mount Fitz Roy, offers a unique winter experience: near-total solitude, deep snow and Patagonia's most dramatic landscape blanketed in white.
⛷️ Must-do activities
Snowshoeing and ski touring along trails such as the one leading to Laguna de los Tres (always with verified conditions and local guides). Wildlife watching: condors, Patagonian foxes and guanacos are regular presences in winter.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Hearty stews to refuel, Patagonian lamb on the grill and several craft breweries that are the mandatory meeting point after every hike.
🥾 Trails
The Chorrillo del Salto Trail is a short and accessible winter hike. For experienced adventurers, the Fitz Roy Trail requires a certified guide and high-mountain equipment.
9. Coyhaique, Chile — The heart of deep Patagonia
Coyhaique, capital of the Aysén Region, is the gateway to the Carretera Austral and its wild landscapes. In winter, the isolation and snow give it a special character: the deepest and least-visited Patagonia on the continent.
⛷️ Must-do activities
Exploring the Coyhaique National Reserve with trails offering panoramic views of the city and snowy mountains. Driving the Carretera Austral southward to reach the Marble Cathedrals on Lake General Carrera, one of the world's most spectacular geological formations.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Free-range lamb, beef and pork dominate, alongside fresh-caught fish from Aysén's rivers and lakes. Coyhaique's craft beers enjoy growing national recognition.
🥾 Trails
The Piedra del Indio Trail, a spectacular rock formation near the city, is accessible in winter. The National Reserve offers routes through snowy lenga beeches and coihue trees for adventurers.
10. Puerto Natales, Chile — Gateway to Torres del Paine
Puerto Natales is the logistical hub for visiting Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most iconic destinations on the planet. In winter, the park becomes an almost exclusive territory: completely white landscapes, solitary guanacos and the feeling of having Patagonia all to yourself.
⛷️ Must-do activities
A full day in the National Park for trekking to the Base of the Towers (subject to conditions and with a guide) or driving through the park spotting guanacos, foxes and condors. Cruising Lake Grey to approach the glacier and its blue ice floes. A must-visit: the Mylodon Cave.
🍽️ Gastronomy
Patagonian lamb grilled or on the spit, seafood from the Last Hope Channel and local craft beer. Puerto Natales town centre has several good-quality restaurants.
🥾 Trails
The Base of the Towers Trail is the most famous (high difficulty). For something more accessible, the Laguna Amarga Trail offers beautiful views of the Paine massif with less physical demand.
Patagonia in winter is a region for those seeking a deep connection with nature and an authentic adventure. Each of these ten cities offers a unique experience, from world-class skiing to the solitude of the glaciers. The cold is part of the landscape, and those who embrace it discover a completely different region: more intimate, more pure and more Patagonian than ever.
