Catedral Information

Apres-ski

Après-ski is lively at Catedral, especially after fresh snowfall; but Bariloche is the real ski town and the place to base yourself if you are looking for animated nightlife.

On the slopes, Punta Nevada (tel: +54 2944 460 263; www.huilque.com/puntanevada) is a popular hangout at the end of the ski day and features a wonderful terrace and restaurant.

In Bariloche, the cosy Argentinean brew pub Cerveceria Blest (tel: +54 2944 461 026;www.cervezablest.com) is one of the best in town. Similar in style, Berlina (tel: +54 2944 523 336; www.cervezaberlina.com) is spread over two floors and is highly regarded for the range and quality of its beers. Alternatively, head to Tiroler (tel: +54 2944 424 316) for a full-on Argentinean-Austro-German experience.

Eating out

With more than 160 different places to eat in Catedral, Bariloche and its environs, you certainly won't go hungry. In fact, the region has a foodie reputation that, coupled with the competition between so many providers, tends to drive standards up and costs down.

Nearly every kind of cuisine and dining experience is available in Bariloche. A refreshing stop is artisan ice cream parlour Helados Jauja (tel: +54 2944 437 888;www.heladosjauja.com), where favourite flavours include raspberry cream, double espresso and creamy caramel.

At the gourmet end of the scale, Butterfly (tel +54 2944 461 441; www.butterflypatagonia.com.ar) provides seven-course tasting menu extravaganzas to near universal acclaim.

There are many choices for local Argentinean cuisine, but Alto el Fuego (tel: +54 294 443 7015; www.altoelfuego.com.ar) is generally regarded as the best.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Catedral has a small amount of off-slope options available if you are staying near the base of the mountain, but those based in the small city of Bariloche nearby will find a rich variety of year round facilities and attractions.

Surrounding the resort, cross-country skiers are treated to 19km (12 miles) of prepared tracks for all standards, while snowshoe, snowmobile and snowcat tours take visitors on various picturesque routes through the national park.

Closer to home, sledging is a fun activity from the Parador lift's Midway Station, snow tubing is popular, and downhill mountain biking over snow (known as Snow BMX) is a further possibility.

If you're not already based there, the city of San Carlos de Bariloche is worthy of the short trip. Explore the quirky Civic Centre and the neogothic Cathedral of San Carlos de Bariloche or spend some time at its shops and cafés alongside Nahuel Huapi Lake.

Family fun

A relaxed and friendly, family-oriented resort, Catedral operates a popular Kids Club (Paseo Place Amancay) at its main resort base, which has both indoor and fenced outdoor play and learning areas. It accepts children aged three to 14. On the slopes, there are numerous family-friendly trails too, and special lines in the terrain parks are designed especially for children.

Babies from as young as 45 days to three years old can also be cared for in the resort's day care centre. This is equipped with cots, changing tables, bottles and has specially trained staff who supervise various fun activities.

Retail therapy

Catedral's base village has a small, covered shopping centre, Las Terrazas that covers 8,000 sq m (86, 111sq ft) and provides all key ski holiday essentials such as rental equipment, skiwear and a pharmacy. There are far more wide-ranging shopping opportunities in Bariloche, which has a selection of gift shops as well as supermarkets, fashion stores, galleries, photographic retailers and so on.

Splashing out

Catedral is a year-round spa destination on top of its winter ski appeal. Relax with some full-blown pampering at the intimate, 12-room Aldebaran Hotel (tel: +54 2944 448 678; www.aldebaranpatagonia.com) near Bariloche (30 minutes from Catedral). It's highly regarded for its whole day spa offerings; including saunas, hot tubs, a heated pool and a range of massage treatments. Evening sessions are also available for those who prefer a day on the slopes first.

Hotels

Catedral and Bariloche have a wide selection of accommodation to suit most needs. There is a glut of convenient slopeside accommodation in Catedral, while private transfers are available to the village from the hotels in Bariloche.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap