Ushuaia in Winter: The World's Southernmost Ski Resort
Ushuaia in winter (June-September) transforms into a ski destination — the Cerro Castor ski resort, the city's blue-dark winter light, and the extraordinary atmosphere of the most remote ski resort on Earth attract a dedicated winter tourism market
- 1
Cerro Castor Ski Resort
Cerro Castor — 26 km from Ushuaia, at 1,057 m — is the world's southernmost ski resort; the resort has 35 slopes, 3 lifts and reliable snow from June to October; the ski season at this latitude (winter in the Southern Hemisphere) runs opposite European and North American ski seasons; the view of the Beagle Channel from the upper slopes is extraordinary
- 2
Southernmost all
Ushuaia's winter tourism is based on the "southernest" superlative - the world's most southerly ski resort, the world's most southerly golf course, the world's most southerly hotel; the appeal of being at the southernmost limit for specific activities is a real motivation for a certain type of traveller; the southernmost ski slope looks out across the Beagle Channel
- 3
Winter light quality
The winter light in Ushuaia — at 54°S, the days in June are only 7 hours long — has a dark blue-gold quality unlike any other ski destination; the low angle of the sun, the clear subantarctic air and the snow-capped mountains create a light that photographers describe as extraordinary; the short days make the winter hours feel precious
- 4
Dog team
Dog sledding on the frozen lakes of Tierra del Fuego National Park in winter is one of Ushuaia's most distinctive activities; The husky teams run by local outfitters pull sleds through the subantarctic forest; the combination of the dogs' enthusiasm, the silence of the snowy forest and the landscape make dog sledding one of Ushuaia's most memorable winter experiences
- 5
Snowshoeing in the Park
Tierra del Fuego National Park in winter - with its snow-covered lengabok forest, frozen lakes and animal tracks in the snow - turns into a different landscape; the snowshoe trails through the park (especially around Lago Roca and the Lapataia area) reveal a winter wilderness that summer visitors never see
- 6
Winter Festivals
Ushuaia celebrates the winter solstice (June 21) with the Fiesta de Invierno — the darkest day of the year becomes the occasion for a city-wide celebration with fireworks, folk music and food stalls; the tradition of celebrating the solstice in the world's most extreme southern city has a primal character; the fireworks over the Beagle Channel on the night of the winter solstice are one of the most distinctive festival moments in Argentina