Ushuaia in Winter: Snow, Skiing, the Train in Snow and What's Open

Is Ushuaia worth visiting in winter?

Yes, if snow, skiing or a quiet, white national park appeal to you more than penguins and long hikes.

Our verdict: winter suits families who want a first-snow trip, skiers who want South America’s longest season, and photographers who want snowy peaks over the Beagle Channel without cruise-day crowds. Summer suits hikers and wildlife lovers better. If penguins are the reason you are coming, don’t come in July.

Ushuaia winter weather: how cold is it, and how long are the days?

Ushuaia’s winter is cold but not extreme. Average daytime highs sit around 3–5 °C and nights just below freezing. The bigger challenges are wind, wet snow and short days.

The temperatures are rounded long-term averages from Weather Spark and Climas y Viajes; for July those sources give average highs around 4–5 °C and lows around –1 to –0.5 °C. Weather Spark puts the coldest stretch from about 22 May to 22 August, with 5 July the coldest day on average. Treat the figures for other months as indicative, and check the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) for official normals. Daylight hours are astronomical approximations for 54.8° S.

How it feels: wind chill makes 0 °C feel like –6 °C on the channel or at the top of Cerro Martial. Snow in town is often wet and soon turns into slush and black ice on Ushuaia’s steep streets. The mountains and the Tierra Mayor valley (20–40 km out on Ruta 3) hold dry snow far better than the waterfront does.

What 2026 showed: snow is not guaranteed on opening day. In 2026 Cerro Castor opened on 4 July, a week late. Its general manager, Ricardo Peretto, told El Diario del Fin del Mundo: “Desde 2016 no teníamos una situación similar en cuanto a precipitaciones de nieve” (we had not had a snowfall situation like this since 2016), and said the resort ran only thanks to snowmaking. September snowfalls then brought back “more normal values” and powder for the finale. If skiing is the point of your trip, aim for mid-July to mid-September and choose flexible bookings.

Things to do in Ushuaia in winter: the comparison table

For the full year-round list, with summer hikes and penguins, see the best things to do in Ushuaia.

Prices are 2026 figures in Argentine pesos, gathered from operator sites and local press, with US dollar prices for the tours we link. They change with inflation and the exchange rate. Cerro Castor’s own terms say its rates are set in US dollars and converted to pesos at the day’s exchange rate. Check every price for your dates before you book.

Skiing in Ushuaia: Cerro Castor

Cerro Castor is the world’s southernmost alpine ski resort. It sits 26 km from Ushuaia on paved Ruta 3 and often has South America’s longest season.

Key facts

• Location: Ruta 3 km 26, at the head of the Tierra Mayor valley. The base is at 195 m and the top at 1,057 m, giving roughly 860 m of vertical, across an area of more than 650 ha.
• Terrain: 35 runs and 14 lifts (six chairlifts, four T-bars and four magic carpets), according to Cerro Castor’s 2026 season-opening release. The resort also has a snowpark, ski-cross and off-piste areas. It faces south, which keeps the snow dry and cold.
• Lift hours: about 10:00–16:15, extended to about 16:45 in spring.
• Extras: a cross-country ski track and an ice rink at the base, both included in the ski pass. There are eight restaurants between the base and the mountain, and the Krundi Club for ages 3–6.
• Pedestrian (non-skier) pass: one ride up and down the Del Bosque chair to the mid-station restaurant at 480 m. It is sold only at the ticket office, not online.

2026 season: dates and results

• Planned: 26 June to 4 October. Actual: opened 4 July, a week late, because of the weakest snowfall since 2016, and closed on 4 October as scheduled after September storms.
• Price periods (2026): promotional season 26 June–3 July and 26 September–4 October; regular season 4 July–25 September.
• Demand: visitor numbers were above 2025, driven by Brazilians on the new direct São Paulo flights. Argentine visitors started slowly and recovered once the Buenos Aires holidays began.
• Training base: teams from about 15 countries trained here in 2026, which Peretto described as off-season training for “muchas federaciones de nivel internacional” (many international-level federations). He named Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Andorra, Sweden and Finland, adding up to more than 400 athletes and staff. In 2025, visiting teams generated more than 20,000 hotel nights, according to the resort. Expect race-training lanes on some runs in August and September.

Cerro Castor lift ticket prices 2026

The figures come from the published 2026 tariff grid via a tourism portal and tour-operator material; Cerro Castor’s own pages don’t show them openly. They may reflect online and presale prices valid until 15 June 2026, and walk-up prices can be higher. Multi-day passes must be used on consecutive days and can’t be transferred. For comparison, Bariloche’s Cerro Catedral presold its 2026 adult day pass at ARS 160,000, so Castor works out slightly cheaper per day for regular-season skiers.

Getting to Cerro Castor

There is no public bus to Castor. Use agency shuttles (sold as “traslados regulares”), a remis or taxi, or a rental car fitted with snow tyres. In September 2026 the resort and INFUETUR discussed bringing back a shuttle from town to the valleys because of parking problems. Nothing is confirmed for 2027.

Castor vs Bariloche (Catedral) vs Chapelco

• Castor: the most reliable late-season snow, a south-facing aspect, and a small-city base close to the slopes. It is the best choice for September skiing and for combining skiing with end-of-the-world sightseeing.
• Catedral (Bariloche): the biggest ski area in South America, with more nightlife and lodging, but more crowded and more expensive than Castor in 2026.
• Chapelco (San Martín de los Andes): forested, small and family-friendly, with a shorter season.
• Our take: if you only ski, Catedral has more terrain. If you want skiing plus the national park, the train, the Beagle Channel and a “southernmost” story, choose Ushuaia.

Cerro Castor in 2027

Castor says preparation for 2027 began straight after closing. Plans include trail maintenance inside and outside the forest and a new machinery workshop, with further investment projects “to be announced”. The resort does not plan regular summer opening. Residents’ season-pass presales usually start in December, so expect 2027 tourist prices around May–June 2027.

Cerro Martial’s new chairlift: the big news of winter 2026

On 19 June 2026, Cerro Martial reopened with a new Bartholet (Swiss) quad chairlift, the first working lift on the mountain above town in about 15 years (SnowBrains, “The world’s southernmost ski lift is returning to Argentina after 15 years”).

• Lift: 126 four-seat chairs on a line just over 1,400 m long, with a capacity of 1,600 people per hour (Ushuaia24). At the opening the director said it runs every day, 10:00–17:00, though Cerro Martial’s own site lists winter hours of 10:00–16:30. It is planned to operate all year.
• Ski area: about 6 km of skiable terrain at opening, plus a poma lift for the ski and snowboard school. In winter the mountain also has snowshoe circuits and culipatín (sledding) runs. New cafés opened at the mid-station and the top.
• 2026 tourist prices: ski pass ARS 70,000 per day (ARS 140,000 for 2 days, ARS 308,000 for 5 days); child ski pass (under 12) ARS 35,000. Cerro Martial’s own pass table lists the panoramic pedestrian ride at ARS 35,000 for tourists. Fuegian residents pay 50% (ARS 35,000 to ski and ARS 17,500 for the panoramic ride).
• Location: about 7 km from the centre, which makes it the easiest snow you can reach by taxi, in about 15 minutes.
• Events: the second winter torch descent (bajada de antorchas) took place here on 8 August 2026, the 31st edition of the Martial torch descent.

Who it’s for: beginners, families, non-skiers who want views of the Beagle Channel from the snow, and anyone with only half a day. Keen skiers will still want Castor.

Safety note: the trail above the lift to the Martial Glacier crosses avalanche-prone slopes in winter. Don’t go beyond the ski area’s marked terrain without a guide and an avalanche forecast.

Dog sledding, snowmobiles and snowshoes: the Tierra Mayor valley

The strip of snow centres along Ruta 3, 20–40 km from town, is where non-skiers get the most out of an Ushuaia winter. None of the husky or snowmobile trips is sold on GetYourGuide or Viator; you book them with the centres or a local agency.

The snow centres (2026)

• Tierra Mayor: km 21, founded in 1976 and the oldest snow centre in the province. Snowcat (snowmobile) rides, cross-country skiing, snowshoes, sleds, a skating rink and a restaurant serving lamb asado. Open daily from about 09:30 to 17:00.
• Las Cotorras: cabins and a restaurant, snowmobiles, snowshoes and cross-country skiing, plus the Siberianos de Fuego husky kennel.
• Nunatak: a long-running husky-sled operator in the valley.
• Husky Park and similar husky centres: sled rides of about 2 km, often combined with snowmobiles.
• Llanos del Castor: cross-country and valley activities, and part of the Loppet course.
• Haruwen: km 36 in the Vega del Café valley, with cross-country skiing, sleds, snowmobiles and night excursions. It used to host the snow-sculpture festival.

Typical 2026 offers

• Tierra Mayor “Diversión en la Nieve”, half day: a 5 km snowcat ride (two people per machine), a 1-hour cross-country lesson with gear and track pass, sleds and hot chocolate, plus hotel transfer. ARS 210,000 for adults, ARS 126,000 for children 0–11.
• Tierra Mayor full day: the half-day package plus a Fuegian lamb lunch and snowshoeing (children ARS 175,000; ask for the adult price).
• “Atardecer en el Valle” and night trips: sunset or night snowmobile rides with dinner (children from ARS 145,000). The sun sets at around 17:00 in June and July, so these fit easily into a day.
• Agency husky-and-snowmobile combos: the Ushuaia tourism office’s winter guide of June 2025 listed the Aventura Blanca combo (sled ride plus snowmobile and hot chocolate, about 5 hours) at ARS 240,000, and 2026 packages sold for about ARS 315,000 per adult. Check the current price and exactly what’s included, because cheaper offers often mean shorter distances or shared machines.

Booking tip: night and sunset slots and husky rides sell out first in July. Book 1–2 weeks ahead for 13–31 July. Outside the holidays, booking 1–3 days ahead is usually fine.

Laguna Esmeralda on snowshoes

In winter the lake freezes and the trail of 4–5 km each way disappears under snow. Go only with a licensed guide. Our full Laguna Esmeralda guide covers the trail, INFUETUR’s 12:00 winter start cut-off and the avalanche terrain above the lake. Local operators report rescues of lost hikers when the path is buried. Guided winter treks cost about ARS 160,000 and include transfer, snowshoes or crampons, and a hot drink. On Viator, the Emerald Lagoon Trekking from Ushuaia, Small Group runs with a guide and lunch from $95; its listing does not say whether winter dates include snowshoes, so ask before you book. Avoid the upper valley toward the Ojo del Albino glacier in winter. Check the provincial civil-protection (Protección Civil) and police advisories before going, especially after heavy snow or rain.

Tierra del Fuego National Park in winter: what’s open and closed

The park is open every day all winter (9:00–18:00 from April to September), and the ARS 40,000 entry fee for foreigners applies all year. Most short trails around Lapataia are open, but the coastal hike and several access roads are closed. For full trail detail, see our Tierra del Fuego National Park guide and entrance fee guide.

Driving: the last stretch of road into the park, and all the roads inside it, are gravel. In winter, snow tyres or chains are mandatory, and visitors have been turned back at the gate without them. A tour or the minibus avoids the problem. Ask your hotel whether the park minibus is running on a winter timetable, because it runs less often off-season.

Why go in winter: the lenga and ñire forests turn black and white, the Lapataia peaks are snow-capped down to the water, and there are no cruise-ship crowds. On a still morning, Bahía Lapataia is one of the quietest end-of-the-world moments you can have. The National Park Morning Tour, Train or Boat Option is the lowest-priced way in on our site, from $43 and rated 4.2/5 from 119 reviews. For a hike and a paddle in the snow season, the Ushuaia: Winter Tierra del Fuego Hiking and Canoeing Tour costs from $158; it is rated 4.6/5, but from only 5 reviews.

Alakush note: we have seen two reopening dates. El Diario del Fin del Mundo reported “Alakush reabre sus puertas” on 13 August 2026, with renovation under way, and ran a feature on 15 September 2026 confirming it was serving the public again. Plan on it being open, but check the hours.

The End of the World Train in winter

The Southern Fuegian Railway runs 365 days a year, and in winter the steam plume hangs in cold air over a snowy valley.

• Winter timetable (1 May–31 August): departures at 9:45, 12:15 and 15:00. From September, check the spring timetable.
• Fares: in July–September 2026 Tourist class cost ARS 70,000 and Premium ARS 217,000. From 1 October 2026 the fares are ARS 80,000 and ARS 250,000 (official, valid to March 2027). Neither includes the park entry fee. See our End of the World Train tickets and prices guide.
• Crowds: in the July school holidays (13–31 July in 2026) the 9:45 and 12:15 trains sell out. Book ahead, and take the 15:00 if you want more space, but remember the light fades by about 17:00.
• Tips: sit on the side facing the river valley. Dress for an open platform at the photo stop, and bring a lens cloth, because condensation forms when you step from the heated carriage into the cold. Combining the train with a park tour (train one way, minibus through the park) makes the best use of a short winter day. The End of the World Train & National Park, Tourist or Premium lets you pick the class, from $158, though it is rated 3.9/5 from 114 reviews, below the train-and-park tour in our intro. See our national park train tours guide and End of the World Train page.

Beagle Channel boat trips in winter

Yes, they run all year, but in winter they show sea lions, cormorants and the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, not penguins.

• Sea lions and the lighthouse (Isla de los Lobos, Isla de los Pájaros, Les Eclaireurs): about 3 hours, with departures around 10:00 and 15:00 from April to September. Adults paid ARS 125,500–130,000 in winter 2026. The landing walk on Isla Karelo (Bridges) depends on snow and ice. On Viator, the Beagle Channel Navigation with Minitrekking includes the Bridges Island walk, from $96, rated 4.8/5 from 724 reviews; the shorter Navigation Beagle Canal to the Lighthouse costs from $70, rated 4.6/5 from 42 reviews.
• Penguins (Isla Martillo): the colony is mostly away, and regular penguin boat trips to Isla Martillo run only from about mid-October to early April. Some operators sell small winter “walk with penguins” options from Estancia Haberton or Puerto Almanza; treat these as opportunistic, not guaranteed. From October, the Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo costs from $240 (4.2/5 from 127 reviews), and the Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option, which lands on the island, from $540 (4.6/5 from 83 reviews).
• Comfort tip: choose a catamaran with a heated cabin, and go out on deck only for the photo stops. To pair a boat with the park, see our park and Beagle Channel combo page. Our guide to all Beagle Channel boat trips compares the winter and summer options.

Lagos Escondido and Fagnano and Paso Garibaldi in snow

The 4x4 lakes tour runs all winter and is spectacular in snow, but Paso Garibaldi (on Ruta 3, about 60 km from town) can close or require chains during storms. Operators adjust routes on bad days. The Lakes 4WD Off Road with Lunch at Lake Fagnano on Viator costs from $130, rated 4.8/5 from 250 reviews. If you are driving yourself, rent a car with snow tyres, carry chains, check the road status with the police and Vialidad before leaving, and never plan an evening crossing. For road-trip arrivals from the north, see our guide to getting to Tierra del Fuego.

Winter events in Ushuaia (2026 recap and what to expect in 2027)

The Loppet status comes from a German ski-tour operator’s notice, not from the organisers. Check with Club Andino Ushuaia before booking a trip around it.

Crowds and prices: when to go

July is the busiest and most expensive month. Late June, late August and September are the best-value weeks.

• 2026 Argentine winter school holidays: 6–17 July (Córdoba, Mendoza, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, San Juan, San Luis); 13–24 July (most provinces, including Tierra del Fuego itself); 20–31 July (Buenos Aires province, CABA, Chaco, Santiago del Estero). For 2027, expect a similar July spread and check the national school calendar once it is published.
• Occupancy: INFUETUR reported Ushuaia hotel occupancy of 82% in the first week of July and 86% in the second of 2026. On 23 July its president put occupancy at 82–90% depending on category. June 2026, by contrast, was “realmente bajo” (really low), according to Ángel Brisighelli, president of the Federación de Cámaras de Turismo.
• Brazilian demand: in 2026, LATAM flew São Paulo–Ushuaia direct four times a week (1 July–31 August) and GOL three times a week (7 July–29 August). Brazilians drove most of Castor’s growth. Their peak overlaps with July, so the ski school and rental shops are busiest then.
• Hotel prices: expect peak rates from mid-July to early August. Watch for a repeat in 2027 of INFUETUR’s Fiesta del Invierno promotion (4 nights for the price of 3 at participating hotels in early July 2026).

Our picks for timing:

• Best overall: the last week of August to mid-September, with good snow in a normal year, longer days, fewer crowds and lower prices than in July.
• Best for festivals: around 21 June (Noche Más Larga) or about 10 July (Fiesta del Invierno). In late June you might arrive before Castor opens.
• Best on a budget: late June, or late September to 4 October, when Castor’s promotional rates apply and hotel prices ease.

Getting to Ushuaia in winter

• Flights: Aerolíneas Argentinas and other domestic airlines fly from Buenos Aires all year, and seasonal direct flights from São Paulo ran in July–August 2026. Snow and wind occasionally delay arrivals at Ushuaia’s airport, so leave a buffer day before any cruise, Antarctic departure or international connection. Full detail: our guide to getting to Tierra del Fuego from Buenos Aires.
• Driving: Ruta 3 over Paso Garibaldi needs winter tyres or chains and daylight driving. Rental companies in Ushuaia can supply winter-equipped cars, but ask for one explicitly when you book.
• Getting around town: taxis and remises are plentiful. For Castor and the valley centres, use agency transfers. There is no regular public bus to the snow centres.

Sample winter itineraries

3 days: the best of winter for non-skiers

• Day 1: the End of the World Train (9:45) plus a national-park tour in snow (Lapataia, Castorera, Paseo de la Isla). In the afternoon, ride the Cerro Martial panoramic chairlift at sunset (last ride before 17:00).
• Day 2: the Tierra Mayor valley: husky sled, snowmobile, snowshoes and a lamb lunch. Dinner in town.
• Day 3: Beagle Channel sea lions and the lighthouse (10:00), then the Maritime and Prison Museum in the afternoon.

4 days: for skiers

• Days 1–2: Cerro Castor (rent gear in town the night before to save time).
• Day 3: the train plus the national park (a rest day for your legs).
• Day 4: Castor in the morning, or Cerro Martial for a short ski with a view.

5 days: for families

• Day 1: Cerro Martial: ski school or sledding (15 minutes from town, so a short day after a flight).
• Day 2: the train plus the park (children love the steam train in snow).
• Day 3: the “Diversión en la Nieve” half day at Tierra Mayor (reduced prices for children 0–11).
• Day 4: Castor: a first ski lesson for the children, plus the ice rink and cross-country track included with the ski pass.
• Day 5: a Beagle Channel catamaran, then the Fiesta del Invierno if your dates match.

Our winter picks

• Best winter day: the steam train and the park in snow, then sunset huskies in Tierra Mayor.
• Best for non-skiers: a half day at Tierra Mayor (snowmobile, a cross-country taster, sleds).
• Best for families: Cerro Martial (close, cheap, a new lift, sledding) plus the train.
• Best on a budget: the Martial panoramic lift, the national park on the public minibus, and free municipal festival events.
• Best splurge: Premium class on the train plus a private 4x4 lakes day.

Safety in winter

• Ice in town: Ushuaia’s steep streets freeze. Wear boots with deep tread, or slip-on crampons (sold in town).
• Avalanches: the Martial Glacier trail above the ski area, the upper Laguna Esmeralda valley and Cerro Guanaco can carry avalanche risk after snowfall. Go guided, stick to marked terrain, and check Protección Civil and police advisories.
• Short days: start hikes by 10:00 at the latest in June and July. It gets dark at around 17:00.
• Driving: chains or snow tyres, a full tank, daylight crossings of Garibaldi, and no overtaking on packed snow.
• Wind on the water: boats can be cancelled at short notice, so keep a flexible day.

What to pack for Ushuaia in winter

• A waterproof, insulated jacket (windproofing matters more than thickness)
• Waterproof trousers or ski pants
• Thermal base layers (merino or synthetic), top and bottom
• A fleece or light down mid-layer
• Waterproof boots with deep tread, and warm socks (2–3 pairs)
• Slip-on ice cleats or crampons for town and the park
• A beanie, a neck gaiter or buff, and waterproof gloves plus thin liner gloves
• Sunglasses or goggles and sunscreen (snow glare is strong)
• A phone power bank (batteries drain fast in the cold)
• A small daypack with a thermos
• Ski gear is for hire in town and at Castor, so don’t bring your own unless you ski a lot

Frequently asked questions

Does it snow in Ushuaia in winter?

Yes. Snow is frequent from June to September and reliable in the mountains, though snow in town often melts into slush. 2026 had a weak start to the snow season and a strong September.

When is the ski season in Ushuaia?

Cerro Castor usually runs from late June to early October. In 2026 it opened on 4 July and closed on 4 October.

How much is a ski pass at Cerro Castor?

In 2026 an adult day pass cost ARS 146,700 in the regular season and ARS 104,200 in the promotional weeks (about US$108 regular). Prices for 2027 are not yet published.

Is Tierra del Fuego National Park open in winter?

Yes, daily from 9:00 to 18:00 between April and September, with the ARS 40,000 fee for foreigners. The short Lapataia trails are open. The Senda Costera, Pampa Alta, Ensenada and Río Pipo are closed.

Does the End of the World Train run in winter?

Yes, 365 days a year. Winter departures are at 9:45, 12:15 and 15:00.

Can I see penguins in Ushuaia in July or August?

Not on the standard Isla Martillo boat trips, which run from about October to April. Winter boats show sea lions and the lighthouse instead.

Can I go dog sledding in Ushuaia?

Yes. Husky centres in the Tierra Mayor valley run sled rides in the snow season, usually combined with snowmobiles, from ARS 240,000 on the 2025 municipal list to about ARS 315,000 for 2026 packages; check the current price before you book.

What is Ushuaia like in July?

July is cold (average highs around 4 °C), snowy and busy. School holidays run from 6 to 31 July across Argentina’s provinces, and hotels sat at 82–90% occupancy in 2026. Book early.

What is Ushuaia like in August?

August is still full winter, but with fewer families once the holidays end on 31 July, and the days get noticeably longer. It is our favourite month to ski here.

Do I need a car in winter?

No. Tours and transfers cover Castor, the valleys, the park and the train. If you do drive, snow tyres or chains are mandatory in the park.

Is Ushuaia a good Northern Hemisphere summer escape?

Yes. Ushuaia is one of the few places where you can swap a June–August heatwave for a real snow holiday, a steam train and the end of the road.

Book your winter park and train day

The national park under snow and the steam train in a white valley are the two things you can only do here, and they fit into one winter morning. The park tours compared on our best tours page include train-and-park combos; check the winter departure time, the vehicle’s snow tyres and July availability before you book. Planning the shoulder season instead? Our Senda Costera hike guide covers the coastal trail from November.