The south bowl
Lasting snow.
Lowidpr — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Infochubut — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gustavo Muñoz Clos — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cristian imagine — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nicolas Cayun — CC BY-SA 4.0
La Hoya is a ski centre about thirteen kilometres from Esquel; its name means «the hollow», because its slopes form a south-facing amphitheatre turned away from the sun's path. Little sunlight reaches them, so the fine powder snow the resort is known for forms there, and snow lasts into October, when you can ski in light clothing. Its story began in the 1930s, when Esquel locals rode up on horseback to play in the snow; the Club Andino Esquel, founded in 1952, took over the first huts, and residents dug the access road with picks and shovels. Today it has runs for beginners, intermediates and experts, a backcountry area and a terrain park, with views of mountains and steppe from the top. The season starts around July, and the famous La Trochita steam train leaves from nearby Esquel.
Lasting snow.
And a terrain park.
From the top.
About 13 km from Esquel, Chubut
Its slopes face south, away from the sun, so the snow stays fine into October.