In the mountainous range of Esquel, 8 miles from the city you will find La Hoya, a fabulous ski center.
It is one of the most sought after places for the practice of skiing by national and foreign tourists and its facilities are according with the necessities of the most demanding skiers. Since its inauguration in 1974, it has been adding each year more services and tracks with excellent views of the city and the whole environment. It also has a large Snow Park for the little ones.
The unique natural layout of the mountain forms a massive glacier-carved amphitheater, ensuring that almost all slopes converge at the exact same base area. This geographical feature makes La Hoya an exceptionally safe and highly interconnected resort, especially favored by families who can easily navigate different trails without the risk of losing sight of one another.
Different means of elevation permit the access to different altitudes, which adds to the ascents an extra enjoyment for tourists and sportsmen both in winter and summer.
The southbound orientation of the slopes at La Hoya makes the famous “spring skiing” its main feature, since from July to October it is possible to find great amount of snow dust of European type. This lets visitors ski under the sun well into the beginning of the Andean spring.
Because of its location it has an excellent quality of dust/snow, with 900 hectares (2,224 acres) of skiing surface. Besides, the snow in the tracks has the guarantee of three high tech artificial snow cannons.
To complement the skiing experience, the resort features modern gastronomic facilities, including a prominent mountain restaurant situated at the intermediate station. Visitors can take a break from the slopes to enjoy warm regional delicacies, artisanal pastries, and panoramic vistas of the sweeping Patagonian steppe below.
It has 24 tracks and 10 transportation means (4 chairlifts, one from the base of the mountain and 6 dragging ones), distributed to let the tourist enjoy the whole resort.
In summer, trekking lovers will find countless paths in the upper part of the mountain.
During these warmer months, the melting winter snow gives way to vibrant alpine meadows and exposed rock formations. Guided ecotourism excursions offer adventurers the chance to spot majestic Andean condors soaring overhead, while specialized trails cater to mountain biking enthusiasts and wildlife photographers looking to capture the raw beauty of Chubut’s wilderness.
