Bariloche in winter with kids: a family guide

When there is snow in Bariloche

Winter runs from 21 June to 22 September. The ski season depends on the snow: in 2026 Cerro Catedral opened on 6 July, at first only with the beginners' area, and stayed open until 12 October. July and August are the safest months to find snow on the slopes.

In town the snow comes and goes: there are snowy days and sunny days with white mountains all around. July is school holiday time in Argentina and Brazil, so it is high season: book early.

What the cold is like

In July highs are usually around 3 to 6 °C and lows close to 0 °C, with nights that can drop a few degrees below zero. It is colder and windier on the mountains.

For children, layers matter most: a thermal base layer, a fleece and waterproof jacket and trousers on top. Waterproof gloves, a hat, thick socks and boots that keep feet dry make all the difference. Pack spare clothes, because playing in the snow gets you wet. Sunscreen and sunglasses too: the sun on the snow burns.

Things to do with kids

• Cerro Catedral: the largest ski area in the region, with a learning area for beginners and a ski school. You can also go up just to walk and play in the snow with a pedestrian pass. It is 21 km from Amutuy, about 40 minutes by car.
• Piedras Blancas, on Cerro Otto: Bariloche's best-known place for sledging, with its own runs for small children. You go up on the Cerro Otto cable car, 17 km from Amutuy, about 25 minutes.
• Chocolate downtown: the chocolate shops on Mitre street are a plan for cold or rainy days. Downtown is 22 km away, about 35 minutes.
• Puerto Pañuelo and Llao Llao: 3 km from the cabins, to see the lake with the snowy mountains.
• Snow close by: when it snows in Circuito Chico, the forest around the cabins turns white.

Prices and opening hours change every year: check each place's website before you go.

Driving in snow: chains

When it snows, Bariloche requires chains. On the access road to Cerro Catedral you cannot drive up on snowy days without metal chains fitted, and the city can require them on town streets too. If you rent a car, ask for chains with it and practise fitting them before you need them.

The road to Amutuy is like the rest of Bariloche: if it snows, you need chains. If you would rather not drive in snow, bus line 20 stops at the corner and goes downtown.

A cabin for the family

Amutuy is at kilometre 23 of Av. Bustillo, inside Circuito Chico and across the street from Lake Nahuel Huapi. Each cabin has two bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with two single beds: ideal for a family of up to 4.

• Central heating with underfloor heating and radiators: kids can go barefoot indoors.
• A fully equipped kitchen to cook dinner without going out in the cold.
• We have a baby cot at no extra cost: ask for it in the comments when you do the online check-in.
• 500 Mbps fibre-optic Wi-Fi and a Smart TV for the evenings.
• Parking on the property and an enclosed barbecue house, free to use.
• Sheets, towels and blankets included.

Booking on this website you pay 10% less than on other sites.