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Catedral resort information & après-ski
Après-ski
Après-ski is lively at Catedral, especially after fresh snowfall; but Bariloche is the real ski town and the place to base yourself if you are looking for animated nightlife.
On the slopes, Punta Nevada (tel: +54 2944 460 263; www.huilque.com/puntanevada) is a popular hangout at the end of the ski day and features a wonderful terrace and restaurant.
In Bariloche, the cosy Argentinean brew pub Cerveceria Blest (tel: +54 2944 461 026;www.cervezablest.com) is one of the best in town. Similar in style, Berlina (tel: +54 2944 523 336; www.cervezaberlina.com) is spread over two floors and is highly regarded for the range and quality of its beers. Alternatively, head to Tiroler (tel: +54 2944 424 316) for a full-on Argentinean-Austro-German experience.
With more than 160 different places to eat in Catedral, Bariloche and its environs, you certainly won’t go hungry. In fact, the region has a foodie reputation that, coupled with the competition between so many providers, tends to drive standards up and costs down.
Nearly every kind of cuisine and dining experience is available in Bariloche. A refreshing stop is artisan ice cream parlour Helados Jauja (tel: +54 2944 437 888;www.heladosjauja.com), where favourite flavours include raspberry cream, double espresso and creamy caramel.
At the gourmet end of the scale, Butterfly (tel +54 2944 461 441; www.butterflypatagonia.com.ar) provides seven-course tasting menu extravaganzas to near universal acclaim.
There are many choices for local Argentinean cuisine, but Alto el Fuego (tel: +54 294 443 7015; www.altoelfuego.com.ar) is generally regarded as the best.
Resort Information
Catedral has a small amount of off-slope options available if you are staying near the base of the mountain, but those based in the small city of Bariloche nearby will find a rich variety of year round facilities and attractions.
Surrounding the resort, cross-country skiers are treated to 19km (12 miles) of prepared tracks for all standards, while snowshoe, snowmobile and snowcat tours take visitors on various picturesque routes through the national park.
Closer to home, sledging is a fun activity from the Parador lift’s Midway Station, snow tubing is popular, and downhill mountain biking over snow (known as Snow BMX) is a further possibility.
If you’re not already based there, the city of San Carlos de Bariloche is worthy of the short trip. Explore the quirky Civic Centre and the neogothic Cathedral of San Carlos de Bariloche or spend some time at its shops and cafés alongside Nahuel Huapi Lake.
A relaxed and friendly, family-oriented resort, Catedral operates a popular Kids Club (Paseo Place Amancay) at its main resort base, which has both indoor and fenced outdoor play and learning areas. It accepts children aged three to 14. On the slopes, there are numerous family-friendly trails too, and special lines in the terrain parks are designed especially for children.
Babies from as young as 45 days to three years old can also be cared for in the resort’s day care centre. This is equipped with cots, changing tables, bottles and has specially trained staff who supervise various fun activities.
Catedral’s base village has a small, covered shopping centre, Las Terrazas that covers 8,000 sq m (86, 111sq ft) and provides all key ski holiday essentials such as rental equipment, skiwear and a pharmacy. There are far more wide-ranging shopping opportunities in Bariloche, which has a selection of gift shops as well as supermarkets, fashion stores, galleries, photographic retailers and so on.
Catedral is a year-round spa destination on top of its winter ski appeal. Relax with some full-blown pampering at the intimate, 12-room Aldebaran Hotel (tel: +54 2944 448 678; www.aldebaranpatagonia.com) near Bariloche (30 minutes from Catedral). It’s highly regarded for its whole day spa offerings; including saunas, hot tubs, a heated pool and a range of massage treatments. Evening sessions are also available for those who prefer a day on the slopes first.
Officially rated as 4.5-stars, this design-focused accommodation is the most highly rated hotel in the region. Located lakeside and just 2.5km (1.5 miles) from the resort, all suites have private hot tubs and facilities include an art gallery, restaurant, and a health club with a spa and swimming pool.
Boasting superb spa facilities and a relaxing massage service, this luxurious lakeside accommodation is just a 10-minute drive from the ski slopes and five minutes from central Bariloche.
This family-friendly hotel has the benefit of being within a former ski club base building and thus is superbly located at the base of the ski runs, next to the nursery slopes. Known for its friendly service, it features a ski school office, ski rental shop and even a chocolate shop.
A very highly regarded 3-star spa hotel on the edge of Bariloche, Altuen Hotel Suites & Spa is just a 10-minute transfer away from the ski slopes. Excellent spa facilities and a wine bar await guests here.
Kospi Boutique Guesthouse has a friendly atmosphere and a reputation for excellent service. As well as being convenient for the shops and restaurants of Bariloche, it’s also just 100m (328ft) from the ski bus stop – it is handily one of the earlier stops on the route, so you can board before it gets crowded.
A friendly, affordable and clean hostel in the heart of Bariloche, Hostel Achalay is three blocks from the central Civico Square and a 15-minute bus ride from the ski slopes.
Getting there and around
Nearest airport: San Carlos de Bariloche International Airport (BRC)
Distance to resort: 30km (18 miles).
Driving time: 25 minutes.
The Collectivo bus service from Bariloche provides a regular low-cost service to and from the ski slopes, running every 30 minutes. The service stops at Breschedt, Moreno Palacios and the Civic Center (Civico Square) in Bariloche en route. Alternatively, there are taxis available to hire for those seeking to travel independently.
The centre of Bariloche itself is pedestrianised and is easy to walk around.
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