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Chapelco

Chapelco, or Cerro Chapelco, is a mountain and massif in Neuquén Province, south-western Argentina. The ski station of the same name is located 19 kilometres (12 mi) from the resort town of San Martín de los Andes. Designed by Federico Graeff and established in 1946, Chapelco became an increasingly popular tourist destination after 1970. The station maintains a ski and snowboard school with 200 instructors for all ages as well as numerous lodges, the most important of which is the Graeff Lodge; eight restaurants; a ski and snowboard rental and repair center; boutiques and cybercafés; and emergency and other basic services. The station is accessible via National Route 234 from San Martín de los Andes, and via a two-hour flight from Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires to the Aviador Carlos Campos Airport. Chapelco hosted Snowboardcross events for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 FIS Snowboard World Cup:

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Beyond the pistes: summer alpine pursuits

When the snow recedes, Chapelco’s alpine meadow transforms into a network of trekking corridors that wind above the Nahuel Huapi basin. The same lift system that ferries skiers in winter becomes a convenient gateway for hikers seeking a day under the Patagonian sun. Mid‑elevation trails lead to quiet alpine lakes where rainbow‑tinted trout jump, while higher routes offer panoramic sweeps of the Andes that rival any high‑country vista in the Southern Hemisphere. For cyclists, the former ski runs are cordoned off for mountain‑bike training, providing a gravity‑fed descent that is both exhilarating and relatively traffic‑free compared with European resorts.

Local flavour: the Graeff legacy and Patagonian hospitality

The Graeff name is woven into the mountain’s identity, but beyond the eponymous lodge lies a subtle cultural thread. The original family still runs a small dairy farm on the lower slopes, offering visitors fresh quesos and a chance to sample artisanal mate brewed with local herbs. This farm‑to‑table philosophy permeates the eight on‑site eateries, where menus feature lamb raised on native pastures and trout caught in nearby streams. Engaging with these proprietors gives a glimpse of the region’s modest agrarian roots, a perspective rarely captured in standard guidebooks.

Travel craft: navigating the road from San Martín de los Andes

Approaching Chapelco via National Route 234 can be a study in contrast: the road narrows as it skirts the lake, then opens onto a series of hairpin bends that ascend through lenga forest. Drivers unfamiliar with Patagonian weather should watch for sudden wind gusts that can affect vehicle stability, especially on the gondola’s access point. A practical tip is to fill the car’s fuel tank in San Martín before the ascent; stations become sparse beyond the town. Early mornings often bring clear visibility, making the drive itself a scenic prelude to a day on the mountain.

Introduction

Mountain in Argentina Cerro ChapelcoInteractive map of Cerro ChapelcoLocationNeuquén Province, ArgentinaNearest major citySan Martín de los Andes, 19 kilometres (12 mi)Coordinates40°10′S 71°20′W / 40.167°S 71.333°W / -40.167; -71.333Vertical730 metres (2,400 ft)Top elevation1,980 metres (6,500 ft)Base elevation1,250 metres (4,100 ft)Skiable area140 hectares (350 acres)Trails29 - 24.6 kilometres (15.3 mi).  Green - 9  Blue - 5  Red - 12  Black - 3Longest run5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi)Lift system1 Gondola lift5 Chairlifts4 T-bar lifts2 Magic carpets4 Ski tows2 Conveyor beltsLift capacity14,500/hourSnowfallbase: 1.5 metres (4.9 ft)top: 2.5 metres (8.2 ft)Snowmaking500 cannonsWebsitechapelco.com Chapelco, or Cerro Chapelco, is a mountain and massif in Neuquén Province, south-western Argentina. The ski station of the same name is located 19 kilometres (12 mi) from the resort town of San Martín de los Andes. Designed by Federico Graeff and established in 1946, Chapelco became an increasingly popular tourist destination after 1970. The station maintains a ski and snowboard school with 200 instructors for all ages as well as numerous lodges, the most important of which is the Graeff Lodge; eight restaurants; a ski and snowboard rental and repair center; boutiques and cybercafés; and emergency and other basic services. The station is accessible via National Route 234 from San Martín de los Andes, and via a two-hour flight from Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires to the Aviador Carlos Campos Airport. Chapelco hosted Snowboardcross events for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 FIS Snowboard World Cup: Date Place Gender Discipline Winner Second Third September 13, 2008 Chapelco Men's Snowboardcross  Pierre Vaultier (FRA)  Stian Sivertzen (NOR)  Mateusz Ligocki (POL) Women's  Lindsey Jacobellis (USA)  Mellie Francon (SUI)  Maëlle Ricker (CAN) Date Place Gender Discipline Winner Second Third September 12, 2009 Chapelco Men's Snowboardcross  Pierre Vaultier (FRA)  Seth Wescott (USA)  Graham Watanabe (USA) Women's  Maëlle Ricker (CAN)  Aleksandra Zhekova (BUL)  Dominique Maltais (CAN)