When to go to Bariloche: summer or winter, what to do in each season
Quick answer: For snow and skiing, winter (the 2026 Cerro Catedral season opened on July 6, 2026 and was extended until October 12, 2026). For lakes, boat trips and hiking, the southern summer (December to March, according to the tourism guides consulted). January averages are about 15 °C and July averages about 3 °C.
Updated November 4, 2026.
Comparison by season
| Summer (Dec to Mar) | Winter (Jun to Sep) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average temperature (1991-2020) | January: 15.1 °C (min. 7, max. 23.2) | July: 2.6 °C |
| Most popular | Boat trips, Circuito Chico, trekking, kayaking, rafting | Skiing, snowshoes, sledding, snowmobiles |
| Catedral season | Summer 2026/27: no confirmed dates | 2026: partial opening on July 6, until October 12 |
The temperatures are climate normals for the Bariloche Aero station according to a secondary site (climatestotravel.com); we could not confirm them with the National Meteorological Service, whose page did not load.
What to do in Bariloche in summer
This is the season for lakes and trails. The options with the most room on the site: Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest, Circuito Chico scenic tour, Kayaking on Lake Gutiérrez, Manso River rafting near the Chilean border and Cerro Llao Llao hike. A tourism guide says January is the month of highest domestic tourism demand (secondary source): book in advance.
| Tour | Reference price | Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest | from US$ 85 | Nomades |
| Circuito Chico scenic tour | US$ 29 | Nomades |
| Kayaking on Lake Gutiérrez | from US$ 59 | Nomades |
| Manso River rafting near the Chilean border | US$ 150 | Viator |
| Cerro Llao Llao hike | from US$ 130 | Civitatis |
What to do in Bariloche in winter
Snow is concentrated at Cerro Catedral, Cerro Otto and Piedras Blancas. Options: Cerro Catedral ski pass, Adult ski or snowboard lesson, Snowmobile ride on Cerro Catedral, Piedras Blancas snow park and Snowshoeing at Winter Park. Reference prices per person:
| Tour | Reference price | Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Cerro Catedral ski pass | US$ 205 | Civitatis |
| Adult ski or snowboard lesson | US$ 346 | Civitatis |
| Snowmobile ride on Cerro Catedral | US$ 251 | Civitatis |
| Piedras Blancas snow park | from US$ 100 | Nomades |
| Snowshoeing at Winter Park | US$ 105 | Civitatis |
Spring and autumn
The guides consulted (Promos Aéreas, TurismoCity, Nomades) point to October-November and April-May as quieter and cheaper times, with windy days in spring and snow still on the high ground. These are commercial sources, not official ones.
Unconfirmed details
We did not find in an official source the dates or prices for Cerro Catedral's 2026/27 summer, nor the opening date of the 2027 winter season. The Tronador circuit had been closed since September 27, 2026 because of the rise in the Manso river; check whether it has reopened.
Quick questions
What is the best month to visit Bariloche?
It depends on what you are after: for skiing, July and August according to the guides consulted; for lakes and hiking, December to March. These are recommendations from commercial sources.
When did the 2026 winter season open at Cerro Catedral?
It partially opened on July 6, 2026 with the beginners' area and was extended until October 12, 2026, according to local press and the mountain's website.
Is it cold in Bariloche in summer?
January averages are around 15 °C, with average highs of 23 °C and lows of 7 °C (1991-2020 normals, secondary source), so it is worth bringing a warm layer for the evening and the boat trips.
Sources
- Cerro Catedral: fees
- ANB: Cerro Catedral opens its slopes (July 6, 2026)
- ANB: Cerro Catedral extends the season until October 12 (September 18, 2026)
- Climates to Travel: Bariloche climate, 1991-2020 normals (secondary source)
- ANB: the Tronador circuit was closed (September 27, 2026)
- Promos Aéreas: best time to travel to Bariloche (commercial source)
