South America's largest ski area with après-ski wine culture

Cerro Catedral is South America's largest ski area with 120km of runs overlooking Lago Nahuel Huapi. The base village has excellent restaurants serving Argentine wine with grilled Patagonian lamb. After skiing, the views across the lake to the Andes are unforgettable.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Count the Summer Skiers at South America's Largest Resort Adventure · Free

   Cerro Catedral (20km from Bariloche, ~$5 USD bus) has 120km runs, 58 trails, 46 lifts — South America's largest ski resort. Season June-October: Southern Hemisphere winter. When Europe is peak summer, people ski here. Walk the base village, read season dates, count people in ski gear, and find the run named Malbec. The mountain that serves wine has a trail named after wine.

   Backup: Walk to gondola loading area, read the trail map.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Locate the Refugio Named After Parks Founder History · Price: moderate

   Refugio Lynch at ~2,000m on Cerro Catedral is named after Dr. Antonio Lynch, first director Argentine National Park Service (1934) who protected Nahuel Huapi from development. The 3-floor refugio offers 360° views of Lago Nahuel Huapi. Ski or ride to Refugio Lynch, order lentil stew (~$10-15 USD), and ask: Who was Lynch? He chose public access over private profit — and now you're drinking wine at 2,000m because of it.

   Backup: If crowded, try La Roca mid-mountain.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Toast Patagonian Wine at 2,000 Meters Wine · Price: moderate

   Cerro Catedral serves Patagonian wine at altitude — Malbec and Pinot Noir from Río Negro, even a ski run named Malbec. At Refugio Lynch or La Roca, request the wine list and order Malbec by the glass (~$8-12 USD). Pair with empanadas and toast: To skiing in summer and wine at 2,000m. You're drinking Patagonian wine above the clouds on a mountain that named a trail after the grape.

   Backup: If no wine by glass, order beer but ask about the Malbec trail.

   Log Memory
4. 4 Witness the Vertical Lamb Roast Ritual Adventure · Price: high · Optional

   Entire lamb split vertically on an iron cross, roasted over open fire — the asado al palo ritual. At base village or Bariloche venues (El Boliche de Alberto, Alto el Fuego), request a table with visible fire and order asado al palo (serves 2+, ~$40-60 USD). Pair with Malbec and ask how long it roasts — 3-4 hours. This is gaucho tradition meeting Patagonian wine at ski altitude.

   Backup: Order any grilled Patagonian lamb with Malbec.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• The Frey refuge hike (summer) or ski (winter) offers backcountry wine picnic opportunities

• Refugio Lynch at the base serves excellent Argentine wine with mountain views

• Book the "Asado en la Montaña" experience for traditional BBQ with Malbec on the slopes