Ushuaia is magical all year round, but when winter comes, the city dresses in white and… It is even more charming! Here are our 4 reasons why you should visit Ushuaia in winter.
1) Discover snow
Winter in Ushuaia is synonymous of snow!!!! Of course, it all depends on the weather conditions, but from June to September there is usually a lot of snow in the valleys.
Snow tours guarantee fun for all ages. You can build snowmen, slide down snowy slopes on culipaties, play with snowballs, go snowmobiling, skiing in Ushuaia, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and even go trekking with snowshoes.
You can also enjoy outdoor trekking while walking through a snowy forest. Incredible landscapes that you will never forget!
2) Skiing and snowboarding
Two of the best winter sports you can enjoy in Cerro Castor, one of the best ski centers in South America and the southernmost in the world, located 30 km away from Ushuaia.
It is the ski center that has the longest season of all the centers in South America, lasting from the end of June to the beginning of October. During the winter season, this ski center in Ushuaia receives thousands of tourists on its slopes of different levels of difficulty.
It concentrates the best snow quality due to its geographical position. Cerro Castor is located on a southern slope and maintains temperatures between -5 and 5 degrees average. It has 8 gastronomic points for every visitor’s taste, several slopes and lifts. To get there, you can take advantage of our Cerro Castor transfer.
Due to its characteristics and snow quality, it is the ski center with the highest number of international teams training throughout the season. Around 25 teams train in Cerro Castor every year, among them, regional clubs, moguls teams and countries participating in the World Cup such as France, Italy, Switzerland, among others.
It has a cross-country ski slope and an ice skating rink. You can visit this ski center in Ushuaia as a visitor and go up one of the chairlifts that goes up to a restaurant and cafeteria at 480 m.a.s.l., the most popular stop because it is located in the heart of the mountain.
Although Cerro Castor receives professionals and amateurs of high level skiing, it also has options for all those who want to know the snow, the mountain and a sport as fascinating as skiing in Ushuaia. Therefore, it receives tourists and locals of all ages.
Cerro Castor Ski Lessons can be hired privately or in groups, taught by experienced instructors. Both child and adults can start training without skiing experience or with intermediate levels. This is a simple option to learn more about the sport and the amazing landscapes that accompany it.
You can also take snowboarding lessons, with the same modality as the ski lessons at Cerro Castor.
This ski center in Ushuaia also has another very popular option. It is the famous Ushuaia Ice Skating. It is located at the base of the hill and is ideal to enjoy with the family. Nowhere else in the country can you enjoy a skating rink at the foot of a mountain and during the whole season.
3) Laguna Esmeralda
It is Ushuaia’s classic hike and one of the public’s favorites. The Laguna Esmeralda begins to freeze with the arrival of the lowest temperatures in March or June and during the months of July, August and September is covered with snow.
Trekking in the middle of the Fuegian winter is an incredible experience. Walking through a snowy and mountainous forest reminds us of being in the land of Narnia. Another innovative option is to fly over Laguna Esmeralda.
If you go on your own we recommend that you bring the necessary footwear and warm clothes, it is important to go with the right equipment to enjoy the best possible. The average winter temperature is 0° Celsius, but with wind it can feel below freezing. There may be better conditions, but do not be overconfident.
It is also recommended to bring food and some warm drinks to face those 9 kilometers of hiking through a forest that has fallen trunks, sometimes with mud in sectors, exposed roots and climbs. Or you can choose our organized excursion Trekking Laguna Esmeralda.
4) Hot chocolate!
At any time of the day you can enjoy a hot chocolate in the streets of Ushuaia or in the chocolate shops you can find in the city.
We recommend you to visit: Laguna Negra or Abuela Goye.
All of them are waiting for you with delicacies to enjoy watching the snow fall from the window.
We also recommend the local chocolate shop Edelweis where you can buy chocolates to take away and eat during your stay, and why not also think as a gift for your loved ones.
We have many more reasons why you have to visit the end of the world…we’ll let you discover them for yourself on your next trip to Ushuaia.
