Major city · Argentina
Las Leñas
Go for 3–5 nights in ski season (mid-Jun–early Oct) only; outside it the valley is near-empty — base in the ski village, not Malargüe.
Las Leñas is Argentina's biggest ski resort, a purpose-built village at 2,240 m in a high Andean valley 80 km from Malargüe. Everything skiable sits above the tree line, 35% of marked runs are expert, and the Marte chair opens some of the steepest lift-served terrain in South America. There is no town here: you sleep, eat and ski in the same handful of blocks, and you need a resort package or a car to make it work.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ARS
- Best months
- Late Jun–early Oct (ski season); Jul–Aug for the deepest base
- avoid Nov–May (resort largely closed; limited mountain activities)
- Airports
- AFA · MDZ · AEP
- Nights
- 3–5
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Argentina ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Argentina's National Migration Directorate (Migraciones) or an Argentine consulate before booking.
- Argentina ↗Since April 2025 the official, MEP and street ('blue') dollar rates sit within a few percent of each other; a foreign card is usually the best-value way to pay, while ATM withdrawals carry high fixed fees. Rules have changed often — check before you fly.
- Argentina ↗Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) is a November–March trip; in winter many services close and hiking is limited.
- Argentina ↗Since August 2026 non-resident foreigners must show insurance or pay for non-urgent care at nationally run public hospitals, and Buenos Aires City, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy and Santa Cruz charge visitors for scheduled care; emergencies are still treated. Travel with medical insurance — check the current rules.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Las Leñas911 ▾
- Police (most cities)911
- Ambulance107
- Fire100
- Resort base lodge (ski patrol and information)+54 260 447 1100
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Las Leñas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Argentine peso (ARS, $).Argentina-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar and Personal cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their shops with a passport, or an eSIM before you fly.Argentina-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable in Buenos Aires and most cities; in the Northwest and rural areas ask or use bottled.Argentina-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% in cash; the cubierto (cover charge) is not a tip.Argentina-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Argentina-wide
- SafetySkiing risk, not street crime, is the issue: high-altitude weather, cliff-ended chutes and a sometimes-closed Marte.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés, shopping centres and bus terminals (small fee sometimes); carry tissues.Argentina-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police (most cities) · 107 ambulance · 100 fire
- Sundays & holidaysSiesta hours (13:00–17:00) in the provinces close many shops; Buenos Aires works straight through.Siesta hours (1:00 PM–5:00 PM) in the provinces close many shops; Buenos Aires works straight through.Argentina-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAFA San Rafael (S.
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable in minutes; hotels and restaurants run free shuttles and there is a resort shuttle between points.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in the villageARS 4,000–8,000
- BeerBeer in a slopeside barARS 6,000–12,000
- Budget bedHostel bed (shared room), a night, per personARS 25,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomARS 160,000
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomARS 320,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ARS 60,000 · Mid ARS 120,000 · High ARS 220,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AFA San Rafael (S. A. Santiago Germano) (About a 2-hour drive to Las Leñas; seasonal direct flights from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque)) · MDZ Mendoza (El Plumerillo) (About 4–5 hours by road; the main year-round gateway) · AEP Buenos Aires (Aeroparque) (Seasonal resort charter flights and buses run from here)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Jun
Best*
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Jul
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Aug
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Sep
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Oct
Best*
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Nov–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jul (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Jun (8 rain days), driest Mar (4). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Las Leñas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
May
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
6 rd
Jun
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
Jul
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
8 rd
Aug
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
Sep
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable in minutes; hotels and restaurants run free shuttles and there is a resort shuttle between points. On the mountain you move by lift and ski. If you drive in, park near the base lodge. Snow chains are required on RP-222 in winter.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Malargüe
cautionDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus or car on RP-222, about 80 km (50 mi)Bus or car on RP-222, about 50 mi (80 km)
A rest-day town run: supermarket, bank, supplies. Not a sight in itself.
San Rafael
overnightDoor to door: 3 h
Bus (Iselin) or car from the village, up to about 3 h
Wine and city base; too far for a same-day return in winter.
Mendoza
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h
Car or bus via San Rafael, about 4–5 h
The regional hub; use it before or after the ski week, not as a day trip.
Tunuyán
skipDoor to door: 4 h
Drive north on Ruta 40, about 3.5–4 h
No reason to add this drive to a Las Leñas trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ski village core
Hotels, mall, restaurants and the base lodge within a few minutes' walk; ski-out from most doors.
Slopeside outliers (Airies, Club de Nieve)
Ski-in/ski-out but a long walk or shuttle from the core; ground transport stops early.
Malargüe (80 km away)
Only if you have a car and accept a daily mountain drive on RP-222.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ARS 60,000–100,000 excl. bed (2026 estimate)
- Mid
- ARS 100,000–180,000 excl. bed (2026 estimate)
- High
- ARS 180,000+ excl. bed (2026 estimate)
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 4 nights × ARS 160,000 | ARS 640,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × ARS 120,000 | ARS 960,000 |
| Ski or snowboard rental, one day2 × ARS 40,000 | ARS 80,000 |
| Group ski lesson, half day2 × ARS 60,000 | ARS 120,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ARS 15,000 | ARS 30,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ARS 183,000 |
| Trip total≈ ARS 251,600 per person per day, bed included | ARS 2,013,000 |
2026 estimate in pesos; lift tickets, rentals and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in the village | ARS 4,000–8,000 |
| Pizza at a village restaurant | ARS 14,000+ |
| Casual restaurant main | ARS 15,000–30,000 |
| Beer in a slopeside bar | ARS 6,000–12,000 |
| Supermarket basket for self-catering, per person per day | ARS 12,000–20,000 |
| Ski or snowboard rental, one day | ARS 25,000–60,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Marte is temperamental and often closed: have a plan B on the lower lifts.
- Some chutes end in cliffs — go with a certified guide and a helmet (required by the resort).
- Most lifts stop at 17:00; only the runs near the lodge are lit to 22:00.Most lifts stop at 5:00 PM; only the runs near the lodge are lit to 10:00 PM.
- Restaurants are few and hotel packages usually include meals: book dinner or self-cater.
- Village prices are resort prices, and cards may not work everywhere — carry cash.
Emergency numbers
- Police (most cities)
- 911
- Ambulance
- 107
- Fire
- 100
- Resort base lodge (ski patrol and information)
- +54 260 447 1100
Pocket card
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Las LeñasLas Leñas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Ambulance107
- Fire100
- Base lodge / ski patrol+54 260 447 1100
Embassy
No embassies in the valley: the US, UK, Canada and Australia all run embassies in Buenos Aires; nearest consular help is in Mendoza or Buenos Aires.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus San Rafael → Las Leñas (Iselin): up to about 3 h
- Bus Buenos Aires → San Rafael or Malargüe: about 12 h
- San Rafael airport → Las Leñas by road: about 2 h by car or transfer
Say or show
- Perdón — Excuse me / Sorry (per-DON)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
- ¿Cuánto sale? — How much is it? (KWAN-to SA-le)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWE-do pa-GAR kon tar-HE-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el medio de elevación? — Where is the ski lift? (DON-de es-TA el ME-dyo de e-le-va-SYON)
- Necesito ayuda — I need help (ne-se-SI-to a-YU-da)
Ski season runs roughly mid-June to early October; confirm dates, lift status and road conditions before booking.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Las Leñas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Late Jun–early Oct (ski season); Jul–Aug for the deepest base · avoid Nov–May (resort largely closed; limited mountain activities) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Resort-package pages: charter bus and plane options from Buenos Aires with transfer times and cutoffs.
- Lift, rental and ski-school pages with 2026 prices and booking windows.
- Eat pages for the village with last orders and which hotels open dinner to non-guests.
- Winter-road fixtures for RP-222: chain rules, closures and the Malargüe fallback.