Snow in Bariloche: Family Tips for Families
Valuable tips from our community of traveling parents to make your family trip even more special.
By Sut-Mie Guibert and Flávia Oliveira
Our community of traveling families holds a significant voice within our platform because it brings us real experiences and teachings that help many families with their doubts, anxieties, fears, challenges, and joys while traveling. It’s great to be able to rely on the experience of other families who have been to a specific destination. We discuss various topics, including itineraries and tips, but we also share the delights and difficulties of traveling as a family. In other words, we share the subject we love and establish this routine of exchange very frequently.
Today, we chose to exchange tips about Bariloche, one of the favorite destinations for families when they think about snow vacations. The success of the destination is such that the city is affectionately called “Brasiloche” during the high season. Here are tips from families who have already been there, for families who have doubts about the destination, unlike the usual vacations…
BARILOCHE OR VALLE NEVADO?
This is a common dilemma when you don’t have much idea about the two destinations. A significant difference is the existing infrastructure: while Valle Nevado is a snow resort (see our article in this same issue), with different hotels, slopes, and good facilities for the fun of those who already ski, Bariloche is more adapted to discover the snow, as there are other attractions and tours possible besides the snow.
Additionally, there is the issue of altitude: Valle Nevado is at 3,000 meters, while Bariloche is lower and therefore more adapted for younger children or those who may be sensitive to altitude. And finally, Bariloche has a more varied landscape, with mountains, snow, and lakes, while Valle Nevado is nestled in the mountains with views of the peaks and snow.
SKIING / SEEING SNOW
The largest ski resort is Cerro Catedral, which is 25 km from the city. You can go up by remis (driver called by the hotel, with a fixed price), by bus from the center, or by rental car. There is a large base, with several restaurants, Xtreme ski school for kids and adults, and places to rent equipment (usually clothes are rented in the city center. See here what is needed). If you don’t want to ski, it is possible to take a closed cable car at Boleteria Amancay to go up and see more fluffy snow and views of the lakes. Beforehand, it’s worth renting a sled (culi-patin) to slide a lot up there and have a good laugh.
Piedras Blancas is a much smaller station, with many fun activities such as cable car, sled tracks (bumper skiing), snow tubing (downhill with tubes – from a certain age), zipline, and beginner slopes. However, as it is lower than Cerro Catedral, depending on the time, it runs out of snow more quickly. It’s important to inquire before going.
Another excursion to see a lot of snow is the snowmobile tour to la Cueva. It’s better to do the tour during the day because at night, the temperature drops even more and, with children, the return becomes difficult with the freezing wind on the face.
OTHER EXCURSIONS
- Take the cable car at Cerro Campanario and head to the restaurant to see “the most beautiful view in the world” of the green mountains and lakes. Don’t forget to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
- Take a boat trip to Bosque de Arrayanes, which served as inspiration for Disney’s movie Bambi.
- Ride the cable car up to Cerro Otto for 360º panoramic views. If you have time and there isn’t too much snow, it’s worth taking a trip to Villa La Angostura, 80 km from Bariloche. The road is quite beautiful and runs alongside Lake Nahuel Huapi.
- Visit the various chocolate shops, such as the famous ones like Mamuschka, with beautifully packaged chocolates perfect for gifts, or Rapa Nui, which has a huge café and even an ice skating rink. There’s also Abuela Goye’s. All of them are located on Av. Mitre in the Civic Center.
HOTELS
- Design Suites Bariloche is modern, located next to the downtown area, and offers views of the lake.
- Alma del Lago Suites & SPA is situated on the shores of the lake and features an infinity pool.
- Hotel Cristal, located in the city center, boasts a heated pool.
- Hampton by Hilton, also in the city center but without a pool.
It’s worth checking if the hotel has a restaurant (for those days of extreme tiredness and laziness) and if it has an indoor pool, which is always great for entertaining children and relaxing muscles after a day of skiing.
RESTAURANTS
- It’s worth trying the grill at the excellent El Boliche de Alberto, which is close to another Boliche specializing in pasta! At both places, it’s necessary to arrive early, around 8:00 p.m.! Everything is served generously, easily shareable between 2 people or even 2 adults and 2 children! Don’t miss trying the ojo de bife or bife de chorizo.
- Família Weiss offers a rustic ambiance to try Patagonian specialties like lamb.
- On the Circuito Chico, outside the city and past Cerro Campanario, it’s worth visiting the Patagonia brewery.
Sut-Mie Guibert is the founder and moderator of our community of traveling families, Family Trippers – Family Travel, a closed group with over 11,000 families who share their real experiences and travel tips to help other parents travel better. She is also the co-founder of Family Trip Magazine and mother to Clara and Nina, bringing new articles in each issue recounting the discoveries of other families around the world.
Flávia Oliveira, mother of Duda and Bernardo, also moderates the group with great humor and is a frequent traveler.
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