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The Vallecitos ski resort is located in the Andean foothills of Cordón del Plata, or the Silver Range. Situated in Mendoza province, Argentina, Vallecitos is a small resort that gets a good covering of snow. It is mainly popular with the local population, who come to Vallecitos to learn to ski or for skiing daytrips. The resort has some great off-piste skiing for skiers of good ability.

The ski resort of Vallecitos is just 16 miles from the beautiful town of Potrerillos. Potrerillos is a small town 37 miles from Mendoza, the region’s capital city. The area of Cuyo is known for its production of great wine. At Potrerillos and close to Vallecitos you can find basic accommodation and services such as a ski school and equipment hire.

Skiing at Vallecitos takes place on 250 acres of skiable territory, with many more off-piste acres for more experienced skiers. The 12 pistes are appropriate for all levels of skier, with the majority of runs suitable for intermediate skiers. The slopes are serviced by seven ski lifts: three double chairlifts, one single and three drag lifts. The resort’s top elevation is 10,826 feet and it has a vertical drop of 1,312 feet.

Accommodation options in Vallecitos can be found on the slopes at Hosteria Cerro Nevado and at Refuge Ski and Mountain Hostel Inn. Other options are available at the town of Potrerillos and at Hôtel Potrerillos, seven miles from Vallecitos.

When taking a break from the marvellous skiing in Mendoza Province, the city of Mendoza should not be overlooked. Mendoza has an exciting atmosphere, especially at night and offers many clubs, restaurants and theatres to suit most tastes. During the day, you may like to visit some places in the attractive pedestrian precinct in the downtown area. Among the parks and avenues of downtown Mendoza are the Cerro de la Gloria, Government House and San Martin Park Forest. Venturing into the surrounding area, you will find plenty of tours of the vineyards and Cerro Aconcagua National Park, boasting Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Andes.

The ski season at Vallecitos starts at the end of June and continues through to the end of September. The most convenient method of travel to the area is to take a domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Mendoza and then transfer to the resort either by car or bus.

Skiing in Vallecitos

The small resort of Vallecitos is located in Mendoza province, 37 miles from the town of Potrerillos. It is one of the cheapest of the Mendoza province resorts and its 12 prepared runs and good off-piste skiing are popular with many local skiers.

The Vallecitos ski resort has 12 prepared pistes that cover a total skiable area of 250 acres, with the longest run being one and a half miles. The runs are divided according to ability: 20 per cent for beginners, 60 per cent for intermediates and 20 per cent suitable for advanced skiers. Some of the best off-piste skiing in Argentina can be found at the resort. Large bowls are located to the northeast of the resort, while other exciting options are available nearby; you may need advice from the locals to help you find the best sites. Servicing the prepared slopes are four ski lifts that have a capacity to lift 2,400 skiers an hour. Built locally, the ski lifts are not of international standard and may cause some inconvenience. Nordic skiers at Vallecitos have suitable areas available nearby in two glacier valleys which provide flat surfaces.

The region of Mendoza and specifically the town of San Rafael are renowned for the production of wine. There is a tour of ancient wine cellars available at Ruta de los Vino, but be careful that the enjoyment of tasting the carefully chosen wines doesn’t keep you away from the slopes for longer than planned.

Local skiers prefer Vallecitos to other ski resorts in Mendoza because of its good snow conditions and cheap prices. It is also an easy resort to reach and should be your first stop before you explore other Mendoza ski areas. Being a fairly small ski resort with only 12 runs, the resort focuses on intermediate and beginner skiers. However, advanced and expert skiers should not be discouraged from going to the resort as the off-piste here is some of the best around.

The ski season at Vallecitos ski resort starts in June and continues through to September. The most convenient method of transport to the resort is to take a plane from Buenos Aires to Mendoza. From Mendoza, the resort can be reached by hire car, bus or taxi.

Transportation to Vallecitos

Owned and run by Ski Club Mendoza, Vallecitos is a small resort located in Mendoza Province. There are good transport links by road to Mendoza and Vallecitos, but the best route for international guests is to travel from Buenos Aires to Mendoza by plane, a 1 hour, 45 minute journey.

To get to Potrerillos by car, the national routes 7, 8 and 40 connect the town with Santiago and Buenos Aires via Mendoza. From Mendoza by car to Potrerillos is a 37-mile journey and from Potrerillos to Vallecitos resort is a further 16 miles.

From Buenos Aires domestic terminal to Mendoza International Airport (Francisco Gabrielli, El Plumerillo) is a short flight and this is the best way to get to Vallecitos. The length of flights from London to Buenos Aires varies from between 15 and 18 hours, depending on connections.

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