Cerro Catedral has opened its lifts: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Cerro Catedral has opened this ski season 2020. Only residents with season pass can ski. This is a pilot scheme for ten days. Catedral is the first resort opening in the region amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the first resort in South America opening!
Cerro Catedral, in San Carlos de Bariloche has opened its ski season 2020 only for locals with a season pass. The first day in the mountain in the year (Thursday 23 July) was fresh and sunny, with a depth of 2 m of snow in the summit.
Depending on this trial, the resort will do a bigger opening of its terrain in August and September.
Gustavo Gennuso, major of Bariloche told Télam:
“On one hand, the resort has an important role for Bariloche on jobs. But there are also vital needs as the relationship of mountaineers with the mountain. Those are the ones pushing on opening the mountain to help this activity”.
While there was not a formal opening, people was going out to dangerous places. Doing it in a legal way, with protocols and services, this activity becomes safer. In this way, the resort can control the risks that skiing brings, pointed out Genusso.
Hours of Operation of Cerro Catedral. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
The resort opened the lifts at 9.30 AM with a windchill of -12C at the sun. A sustained arrival of guests came during the first hour. Ski ticket offices are not opened during this period.
Some lifts will open from 9:30 am to 4 PM only for skiers and boarders with pre-booked passes. Mountain restaurants open only for take away. People are not allowed to eat indoors. There are some refuges on top of the mountain that will have its bathrooms opened or you can go if there is a storm. If weather becomes bad, or it becomes too windy, the resort will stop or slow down lifts.
Fifty students of the course to become ski instructor came to give a hand. They helped ordering the queues with social distancing. Also making people use face masks.
Security Protocols. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Catedral Alta Patagonia, the concessionary of the lifts, is applying strict security protocols. Each morning, employees get temperature taken and have to answer if having symptoms.
Skiers and boarders have to wash hands every time they take their gloves of. There are several hygienic stops at the resort.
At the beginning, middle and end of each day, all surfaces touch by personnel and clients are deep cleaned. Lifts stop to allow cleaning and the ski patrol will announce when they can open again.
Bariloche is not open for tourists, but when Covid-19 passes, this should be a place on your bucket list.
Where to stay in Bariloche. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Stay in the Llao Llao Region –Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
This is THE hotel to stay in the Lake Region. Not the nearest to the ski resort. The Llao Llao’s location is on the km 25 of the Llao Llao road. The road finishes there. The hotel is in the middle of the Mascardi and Nahuel Huapi lakes. It has views of the Tronador Mountain and all the Andes around. Amazing restaurants, good, spa, golf course…. if you go to this hotel, you might not want to go around anywhere.
To reach the Cerro Catedral, the hotel offers transfers that drive to KM 11 of the Nahuel Huapi lake. This is a beautiful ride, so consider you are sightseeing. Then from there you go 9 km up the mountain to the base of Cerro Catedral. The hotel has a place there to keep your skis so you don’t have to carry them around.
I had the luck of working at the Llao Llao as a restaurant manager on its opening…. I could write a book of it! That would be for another blog… but the place is divine… it did look like the hotel of ‘The Shining’ when waiting for the bus number 20 to get me home at 3 AM after doing a night shift though….
Stay in the kilometres by the Lake Nahuel Huapi. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Located at the KM 6.900 of the road to Nahuel Huapi, over the lake of same name, this is a stunning property. The hotel is 350 yards from Playa Bonita (Bonita Beach). With an amazing spa and in/out pools, a bar and restaurant, this is a great choice for your stay.
Stay in Villa Catedral. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
Located in Villa Catedral, at the base area of the ski resort, this is a small hostelry. 200 yards from the lifts. Free Wi-Fi. It features a seasonal restaurant and hot tub with panoramic mountain views. The hostelry has lovely wood work, typical style of building in Bariloche. Free parking.
Start planning your next trip!
You can search for your own accommodation in the snow for your next ski holiday through our Accommodation Search tab. Or if looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check Il Coure della Valdigne review here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using, you can always write me a private message if interested to info@the-ski-guru.com
If you want to take your family skiing and you don’t know where to start, read here. And search for your ski transfers from all airports to the Mountains here. And for those that are like me, that are lazy to cook, you can get your food, even gourmet mountain food delivered to your home with Huski.
If renting equipment (skis or snowboards) check our agreement with Skiset– you can get up to 50% off ski or snowboard rental rates. I have been using them for years every year when I go to America and Europe and they are great!
Something more to read in this blog
You can start thinking about your trip, by reading the articles on the Planning your Ski Trip tab. Or how to pack for your family ski trip. If taking your furry friend abroad to the continent, read about the new Pet Travel Scheme update from DEFRA. Self-drive skiers also need to plan for Brexit. Check out our tips for driving to the mountains. If flying and renting a car in Europe, beware of the extra charges they will pass to you if you want winter tyres, snow chains or ski racks. If driving, check the winter tyres news for Europe and North America.
You can see how our last family ski holiday was not as expected, even though one plans it to be a success, but how we could do the most of it. If you want to get better before getting to your next ski holiday, here is a quick guide to indoor skiing and dry slopes in the UK. You can also read our week in the mountains during our summer holidays in Courmayeur.
Check also how we can envision ski resorts opening on the 2020-21 ski season.
Featured Image: Catedral Alta Patagonia, the resort of Bariloche, has opened yesterday. Photo: Diario La Nación. Cerro Catedral has opened: skiing for locals with masks and record snow levels.
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