Cerro Catedral

For other uses, see Catedral (disambiguation).

Cerro Catedral is a mountain located 19 kilometres (12 mi) from San Carlos de Bariloche, and inside the Nahuel Huapí National Park, in Patagonia, Argentina.

Cerro Catedral
Cerro Catedral in winter
Location	Río Negro, Patagonia, Argentina
Nearest major city	San Carlos de Bariloche, 19 kilometres (12 mi)
Coordinates	41°11′S 71°27′W
Top elevation	2,100 m (6,900 ft)
Base elevation	1,030 m (3,380 ft)
Skiable area	600 hectares (1,500 acres)
Trails	31 - 48 kilometres (30 mi)  Green - 4  Blue - 11  Red - 12  Black - 5
Longest run	9 km
Lift system	39
Lift capacity	35,000/hour
Snowfall	300 cm (median)
Website	Catedral

The complex is one of the most important ski resorts in South America and the Southern Hemisphere, with a skiable area of 6 km² (2.3 sq mi), 48 km (30 mi) of ski runs, and a lift capacity of 35,000 skiers per hour.^[1] It is also popular due to the views of the Nahuel Huapi lake.^[2] There are also a number of hotels and hostels at the foot of the mountain, and a summer hikers' hut called Refugio Lynch on one of the tops of the mountain.

During the summer, the Refugio Frey and a camping accommodate trekkers and rock climbers next to Tonček lagoon, near the Torre Principal; Catedral's highest point.

On August 27, 2005, the 1st South American Ski Mountaineering Championship in combination with the last race of the 2005 South American Ski Mountaineering Cup and the 2nd International Open of ski mountaineering was carried out on the Cerro Catedral.^[3]

Climate

The climate is affected by the altitude. At higher elevations, at the weather station, the climate is classified as an alpine climate or a tundra climate (Köppen ET) while at lower elevations, the climate is classified as a cool mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csb). Cerro Catedral has the highest frequency of days with snowfalls in Argentina, averaging 98 days per year.^[4]

Climate data for Cerro Catedral, Elevation: 1,955 m. (1961-1970)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	27.5 (81.5)	25.5 (77.9)	23.0 (73.4)	19.4 (66.9)	16.4 (61.5)	13.4 (56.1)	13.6 (56.5)	12.3 (54.1)	15.9 (60.6)	21.2 (70.2)	24.8 (76.6)	25.6 (78.1)	27.5 (81.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	12.8 (55.0)	11.9 (53.4)	10.6 (51.1)	6.9 (44.4)	3.7 (38.7)	−0.2 (31.6)	−0.5 (31.1)	−0.6 (30.9)	0.6 (33.1)	5.2 (41.4)	8.5 (47.3)	11.0 (51.8)	5.8 (42.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)	7.5 (45.5)	7.2 (45.0)	5.7 (42.3)	3.0 (37.4)	0.8 (33.4)	−2.4 (27.7)	−2.7 (27.1)	−2.9 (26.8)	−2.3 (27.9)	1.0 (33.8)	3.7 (38.7)	6.0 (42.8)	2.1 (35.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	3.2 (37.8)	3.0 (37.4)	1.9 (35.4)	−0.1 (31.8)	−1.8 (28.8)	−4.6 (23.7)	−5 (23)	−5.1 (22.8)	−4.7 (23.5)	−1.8 (28.8)	0.2 (32.4)	2.0 (35.6)	−1.1 (30.0)
Record low °C (°F)	−6.8 (19.8)	−7.0 (19.4)	−7.6 (18.3)	−10.7 (12.7)	−11.7 (10.9)	−14.0 (6.8)	−13.9 (7.0)	−12.9 (8.8)	−12.4 (9.7)	−10.2 (13.6)	−8.6 (16.5)	−7.6 (18.3)	−14.0 (6.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	59 (2.3)	53 (2.1)	54 (2.1)	100 (3.9)	196 (7.7)	206 (8.1)	222 (8.7)	264 (10.4)	104 (4.1)	79 (3.1)	52 (2.0)	78 (3.1)	1,467 (57.8)
Average precipitation days	7	8	8	10	16	15	15	16	9	7	8	7	126
Average snowy days	3	3	4	6	11	14	15	15	11	7	5	4	98
Average relative humidity (%)	67.5	65.0	69.0	77.5	80.0	85.0	83.5	84.5	80.5	75.5	69.5	70.0	75.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours	294.5	254.3	229.4	171.0	130.2	90.0	86.8	102.3	156.0	217.0	237.0	291.4	2,259.9
Percentage possible sunshine	65	65	59	52	41	32	28	32	43	53	55	62	49
Source 1: Servico Meteorológico National,[5] UNLP (snowfall data)[6]
Source 2: Secretaria de Mineria (extremes and sun, 1961–1970 and 1981–1990)[7]

Gallery

• 
  Cerro Catedral in winter
• 
  Ski lift and Refugio Lynch on the top of the Cerro Catedral
• 
  Ski resort during the summer
• 
  Cerro Catedral Ski resort
• 
  Cerro Catedral Ski resort Refugio Lynch

Panoramas

Campanario Hill, Lakes Moreno and El Trébol

Catedral ski resort in winter

From the top, Cerro Bellavista, Nahuel Huapi lake and the Andes

See also

• Cerro Castor
• Chapelco
• Las Leñas
• List of ski areas and resorts in South America