Opening Day at Cerro Catedral: What the First Lifts of the Season Feel Like
A guide's account of opening week at Cerro Catedral: what opens first, how thin the snow is, and whether an early-season ski trip to Patagonia is worth it.
Opening day at Cerro Catedral usually falls in mid-to-late June, when the first lifts turn and the first snow of the Patagonian winter is skied. Here is what it feels like from the guides' side: the early mornings, the thin cover, the nervous checks and the rush of a season beginning. This is our account of a typical opening week.
What is opening day at Cerro Catedral actually like?
It is quieter, colder and more hopeful than any other day of the season. The base area is half-empty, the staff are shaking off a long off-season and the snow is usually limited to a few groomed runs. A typical opening has only the upper lifts and a handful of runs open, with base depths of 40-80 cm on the best days.
For our guides it is a mix of work and celebration. We arrive before the lifts run to check equipment, talk with patrol and decide which line of terrain will actually be skiable that week.
When does the ski season open, and what is open first?
The season opens in mid-to-late June in most years, with exact dates depending on snowfall and snowmaking. Cerro Catedral usually opens the high-altitude lifts and groomed blue runs first, because the lower mountain needs more cover. Our season week-by-week breakdown has the full pattern.
What typically opens in the first week:
- A small number of upper chairlifts with groomed runs from the top
- The beginner area near the base if snowmaking has been running
- A limited number of lunch refugios and the base cafes
- Only the ski school's basic lessons
Off-piste terrain and the lower forest runs usually stay closed until the base builds up.
Why do guides love the first week?
Because the mountain is honest in the first week. There are no crowds, the lift staff have time to talk and you can see exactly where the snow sits. One of our guides describes it as the one week where everyone is still learning the mountain again.
The practical upside is real: lift lines are short, rental shops are quiet and lodging is cheaper than in July. The trade-off is limited terrain and weather that can close lifts for a day.
How do guides decide what is safe in early season?
We decide slowly and conservatively. Early season brings rocks, stumps and thin cover, so we ski the groomed runs first and walk the edges before taking guests off them. A single rock under 20 cm of snow can end a day or a season.
Our early-season checks include:
- Walking or skiing a line first before guests follow
- Talking with patrol about closures and snow tests
- Keeping groups on groomed snow until base depth exceeds roughly 50 cm
- Packing the extra layer, because early-season mornings drop to -10 C
Read more about the hazards in our avalanche safety guide.
Should you book a trip for opening week?
Only if you are flexible and want quiet slopes and lower prices. Opening week is not the best choice if you want deep powder and full terrain, because most of the mountain is not open yet. Mid-July through mid-August is the safer window for most visitors, as our best-time guide explains.
Opening week suits three kinds of guests:
- Skiers who prefer groomed runs and empty lifts
- Visitors on a tighter budget
- Instructors and locals who want to get legs back before the main season
What does the last run of opening day feel like?
It feels like the winter has finally begun. The light on the Andes goes gold around 17:00, the lifts slow down and guides, patrol and lift staff end up in the same cafe talking about the year ahead. After months of waiting, the first turns of the season are worth the cold.
If you want the opposite bookend, our closing weekend notes cover the last days of the season.
What are the lodging and rental prices in opening week?
Prices are noticeably lower than in July. Lodging near Cerro Catedral can run 20-35% below peak rates, and lift passes and rentals are often cheaper in the first weeks of the season. A mid-range room that costs $180 USD a night in late July may be $120-$140 USD in mid-June.
The trade-off is that fewer restaurants and shops are open in Villa Catedral, and some services only start in July. Check with your lodge before you book, and see our guide to lodges near Catedral for options that stay open all season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Cerro Catedral open for the season? Usually mid-to-late June, depending on snow. Dates change each year.
Is opening week worth it for beginners? Yes, if the beginner area is open with groomed snow, and ski school lessons run at a lower price.
How cold is opening week? Mornings can reach -10 C and afternoons rise to around 0 C. Bring layers.
Do all lifts run in the first week? No. Expect a limited set of lifts and runs until the base builds up.
This account was written by the Ski Patagonia Co. guide team, drawing on several seasons of opening weeks at Cerro Catedral. It is a composite of typical opening-week experiences, not a report of one named day.
If you want to time your own trip around the best snow, plan your trip with us. You can also browse our off-piste experiences for later in the season.
Hero photo by Vladut Tomsa on Unsplash