Ushuaia is magical all year round, but when winter arrives, the city is draped in white and… it’s even more charming! Here are our 4 reasons why you should visit Ushuaia in winter.

1. Experience the Snow
Winter in Ushuaia means snow!!! Of course, it all depends on the weather conditions, but from June to September, it’s common to have plenty of snow in the valleys

Snow tours guarantee fun for all ages. With the snow, anyone becomes a child; you can build snowmen, slide down snowy hills on sleds, have snowball fights, ride snowmobiles, ski in Ushuaia, go dog sledding, and take snowshoe hikes.

You can also enjoy an outdoor trek while walking through a snowy forest. Incredible landscapes that you will never forget!

The weather in June is already winter-like; the days are very short, and June 21 is the longest night of the entire year. The sun rises at 9:59 AM (GMT-3) and sets at 5:11 PM (GMT-3).

Historically, the city holds a grand commemoration of “the Longest Night at the End of the World” with various performances by national and local artists that can last up to a week. Due to the pandemic, the celebrations were postponed last year and in 2021.

2. Skiing and Snowboarding
Two of the best winter sports you can enjoy at Cerro Castor, one of the best ski resorts in South America and the southernmost in the world, located just 30 km from Ushuaia.
It has the longest ski season of all the ski resorts in South America, running from late June to early October. During the winter season, this ski center in Ushuaia welcomes thousands of tourists to its slopes, which vary in difficulty.

Cerro Castor boasts the best snow quality due to its geographical position. Located on a southern slope, it maintains average temperatures between -5 and 5 degrees Celsius. There are 8 dining options to cater to every visitor’s taste, along with various slopes and lifts. You can take advantage of our transfer service to Cerro Castor.

Due to its characteristics and snow quality, it is the ski center with the highest number of international teams training throughout the season. Around 25 teams train at Cerro Castor each year, including regional clubs, mogul teams, and countries participating in the World Cup, such as France, Italy, Switzerland, among others.

It features cross-country ski trails and an ice skating rink. You can visit this ski center in Ushuaia as a pedestrian and ride one of the chairlifts that takes you to a café-restaurant at 480 meters above sea level, the most frequented spot because it is located in the heart of the mountain.

Although Cerro Castor hosts professionals and high-level skiing enthusiasts, it also offers options for anyone who wants to experience the snow, the mountains, and the fascinating sport of skiing in Ushuaia. Thus, it welcomes tourists and locals of all ages.

You can book private or group ski lessons at Cerro Castor, taught by experienced instructors. Both minors and adults can start training with no prior skiing experience or at an intermediate level. It’s a simple option to learn more about the sport and the stunning landscapes that accompany it.

Snowboard lessons are also available, following the same format as the ski classes at Cerro Castor.

This ski center in Ushuaia also offers another highly popular option: ice skating. Located at the base of the mountain, it’s perfect for enjoying with family. You won’t find another place in the country where you can skate at the foot of a mountain throughout the entire season.

3. Emerald Lagoon
This is the classic hike in Ushuaia and one of the favorites among visitors. The Emerald Lagoon begins to freeze with the arrival of the colder temperatures in March or June, and during the months of July, August, and September, it is covered in snow.

Trekking in the middle of the Fuegian winter is an incredible experience. Walking through a snowy and mountainous forest feels like being in the land of Narnia. Another innovative option is the aerial tour of Emerald Lagoon.

If you’re going on your own, we recommend bringing the necessary footwear and warm clothing. It’s important to have the right gear to enjoy it as much as possible. The average winter temperature is 0° Celsius, but with the wind, it can feel below freezing. There may be better conditions, but it’s essential not to let your guard down.

It’s also advisable to bring food and a hot drink to tackle the 9 kilometers of hiking through a forest with fallen logs, sometimes muddy sections, exposed roots, and inclines. Alternatively, you can choose our organized excursion: Trekking to Emerald Lagoon.

4. Hot Chocolate!
At any time of the day, you can enjoy hot chocolate on the streets of Ushuaia or inside the chocolaterias found throughout the city.

We recommend visiting: Laguna Negra or La Abuela Goye. Both await you with delicious treats to enjoy while watching the snow fall outside the window.

We also recommend the local chocolate shop Edelweis, where you can buy chocolates to take with you and enjoy during your stay, and why not consider them as gifts for your loved ones.

We have many more reasons why you should visit the End of the World… we’ll let you discover them yourself on your next trip to Ushuaia!