CERRO CHAPELCO

Among the different privileges that San Martin offers travelers, such as the mountain range scenery, the friendship of the southern peoples and the delicious gastronomy offer of the region, you can also enjoy one of the most complete and famous ski resorts in the world: Chapelco Ski Resort, only 21 km away from town, and particularly designed and fitted to meet all the needs of skiers and snowboarders.

Cerro Chapelco (2,441 m alt.) is one of the main peaks in the mountain range by the same name; although the highest peak is actually Mt Azul (2,497 m ). You can get to Cerro Chapelco along a scenic route of unrivalled beauty, known as the "Seven Lakes Circuit" (National Route Nº 234) that borders the edge of Lake Lácar and, after 16 km of paved road, links on the left with Provincial Route Nº 19. Five km ahead you get to the foot of Cerro Chapelco, at 1,250 masl and to the winter sports center of San Martin de los Andes.

While during winter, Cerro Chapelco shows its exhilarating snowy charms, in summer it offers an unbelievable landscape of lenga woods and hillsides blanketed in wild flowers, turning it into a dream place for adventure: toboggans, archery, tirolesa and a series of other activities and facilities. All these, together with an indoor swimming pool and a spectacular view, make the center a most appealing vacationing spot.

Cerro Chapelco is absolutely family-oriented and the wide range of outdoor activities on hand makes this center a real "Adventure Theme Park".

There are many different to enjoy your mountain holidays. The main innovation is a "passport" providing free and unrestricted access to every activity in the park (for adults only) which can be used for one or more consecutive days. On the other hand, children may get an "explorers' passport" in order to benefit from activities that are especially prepared for them.

The adventure activities include hang-gliding, mini-camping, rides on dogsleds pulled by huskies, the "hobbits' wood", toboggans, an indoor swimming pool built on a advantaged spot, and a large solarium with snack bar service.

Another very important attraction of the area is the fact that, making a contrast with other resorts, this area has not suffered any deforestation. This helps create a particular atmosphere, as you go down any of the slopes through venerable woodland with trees decorated with epiphyte lichens (the so called "devil's beard") giving an almost magical atmosphere to the place.

The hill is a real balcony on the Andes mountain range, and as it looks over the rest of the hills, the sort of postcard picture view becomes infinite, only interrupted by the imposing view of Lanín Volcano.

This is the best holiday resort for those seeking the magical and friendly climate of a real and authentic mountain village. Along a road that is categorized by the distinctive beauty of Andean Patagonia, tourists arrive daily in search of snow, sun and adventure.

ACTIVITIES
Every year there is a schedule of extraordinary events that starts with the Opening Party of the Season at Chapelco and continues with the Giant Slalom (with the participation of important international sports personalities), the Reporters's Race, the White Party, the "Quito Astete" Memorial competition, the Inter-university Race until the already traditional "Chapelco Tetratlon" takes place.

Within the resort the following styles are practiced: Alpine skiing, snowboarding, back-country skiing, traverse skiing, hang-gliding, mountain bike, trekking, 4x4 excursions, swimming, excursions on dogsleds pulled by huskies, trips on snow-motorcycles, horse riding, golf, target practice shooting, etc.

"Tetratlon Chapelco"
With great expectations from participants, during the first week of September every year one of the most important combined sport competitions in Argentina takes place: the "Tetratlón Chapelco", in which athletes compete in four disciplines: skiing, mountain biking, kayaking and trekking, over a difficult mountain circuit, always surrounded by a spectacular scenery of snow covered hills and the transparent waters of Lake Lácar.

The beginning point of this contest is the highest part of Mt Teta in Chapelco. From here atlethes have to cover 8.5 km, skiing along slopes, cross-country and even uphill some times.

From there on, they cycle 42 km along a steep Andean road. This is the opportunity for the cycling experts to catch up with the skiing specialists or to gain an improvement over the rest of the competitors. Later, once in San Martin de los Andes, on the shores of Lake Lácar, they will all will have to row 8 km in their kayaks, all the way to Catritre beach and back.

Lastly, all the efforts of this competition will be cantered on the running circuit, a 16-kilometer long cross-country stage. The event ends in the middle of the city at the offices of "Nieves del Chapelco".

This race is divided into two categories: women and men, the women's category is subdivided into those over 30 years of age or under, and the men's category into those under 30 years of age, and those from 30 to 40 years of age upward. Veterans are up to 50 and the "Masters" category is for those over 50. It is also likely to participate in mixed-sex teams.

This great competition is a great challenge for competitors and an amusing show for the spectators who support them throughout the race.