Las Leñas Is Having a Bumper Winter - Here's Why You Should Take Notice

Snow Action chats with guide, Pedro Crespo, live from the action

Ask seasoned powder hounds about the world’s great ski destinations and one name is guaranteed to come up: Las Leñas. Tucked deep in Argentina’s Andes, it’s a resort that has built an almost mythical reputation for steep terrain, vast alpine bowls and adventurous skiing that begins where many resorts finish. Pedro knows these mountains better than most.

Born in Argentina and raised in Bariloche, Pedro first clicked into skis at just three years old. After working as a ski instructor in the United States through an exchange program, he returned home and began teaching at Las Leñas in 1995. Today, after more than 30 years on the mountain and around 15 years as a guide, he’s helping visitors discover one of South America’s most exciting ski destinations.

“Las Leñas is different,” Pedro says. “People often compare it to Alaska with a chairlift. The terrain is big, rugged and full of possibilities.”

It’s an ambitious comparison, but one that begins to make sense as soon as you explore the mountain.

Big Mountain Terrain

Las Leñas caters for everyone from first-time skiers to seasoned experts, with groomed beginner runs and wide-open intermediate pistes. But its reputation has been built on what lies beyond. The famous Marte Chair unlocks access to more than 50 runs, with descents ranging between 600 and 1,200 vertical metres. Add five poma lifts, eight chairlifts and an enormous amount of hike-to terrain, and it’s easy to understand why adventurous skiers return year after year.

“The mountain offers terrain for all abilities,” Pedro explains. “But it’s the expert terrain that makes Las Leñas famous.” Even during lean snow years, experienced skiers can still enjoy exceptional touring terrain, while stronger snowfall opens up seemingly endless off-piste options.

Snow That Keeps Delivering

This season has started with exceptional conditions. Pedro reports around 1.3 metres of snow at the base and close to two metres on the upper mountain, creating one of the strongest starts in recent years.

“Normally we have lots of sunshine because everything is above the tree line,” he says. “This year has been much stormier than usual, but the roads have stayed open and access has been good.”

The mountain’s high alpine setting means temperatures generally hover around freezing, creating excellent snow preservation despite regular sunshine between storms.

Beyond the Boundary

For many visitors, the lift network is only the beginning. Pedro now spends much of his winter introducing guests to Las Leñas’ remarkable backcountry. Each evening begins with a conversation.

“We sit down with guests, talk about what they want to ski, look at the weather, check conditions with Ski Patrol and make a plan for the following day.”

Every trip starts with safety. Avalanche forecasts, equipment checks and terrain selection are carefully considered before leaving the resort boundary. The beauty of skiing with a guide is flexibility. Families with capable children can participate, stronger skiers can tackle more committing objectives, while less experienced groups may begin within the resort before venturing further into the mountains.

“Every group is different,” Pedro says. “We adapt the day to suit their experience and confidence.”

More Than One Week

While many visitors spend a week skiing Las Leñas, Pedro believes international travellers should take the opportunity to experience more of Argentina.

His recommendation? Fly into Mendoza, spend a few days enjoying the city’s renowned wineries and restaurants, then make the scenic drive south to Las Leñas.

“Mendoza is a fantastic place for families,” he says. “It’s safe, there’s great food and wine, and it combines perfectly with a ski holiday.”

The result is a two-week adventure combining world-class skiing with one of South America’s great food and wine regions.

Life in the Village

Unlike many sprawling ski destinations, Las Leñas has a compact village where everything is within easy walking distance. There are around five restaurants, lively après-ski from late afternoon and nightlife that continues well into the evening for those still full of energy after a day on the mountain.

Lift queues can build on powder mornings, but Pedro says they usually disappear as the day unfolds and skiers spread across the vast terrain.

A Mountain That Rewards Adventure

Perhaps what makes Las Leñas so appealing isn’t just the terrain, but the sense of discovery. It’s a mountain where every storm opens new possibilities. Where guides still find fresh lines after decades on snow. Where touring routes disappear into valleys few international visitors ever see. For Pedro, that’s what has kept him returning season after season.

“No two days are ever the same,” he says. “There’s always another line to ski.”

For Australian skiers looking beyond the familiar resorts of North America and Japan, Las Leñas offers something increasingly rare: genuine adventure, spectacular alpine terrain and the chance to experience one of the Southern Hemisphere’s great mountain playgrounds.

Words and Images: Pedro Crespo