My brother just talked me (and my miles) into skiing with him in Aug at Bariloche. As I start to research this, of course I come here first.

I have so many questions.

What's the best way to get there from EZE?
What's the best place to stay? The nicest? The best value?

What's the best way to reserve the room to get the best rate?

Oh yeah....how's the skiing?

I'm going to post in the UA forum also but for you UA types..... What's service like from MIA? I'll be in F. I know it's a waste for an overnight but I'm doing it. To know what I'm getting for the extra miles, what the difference between F and J? Nicer lounge? nicer amenity kit? better champagne & wine, nicer meal?

I don't think there are too many flights departing from EZE to BRC (very few domestic flights depart from EZE). You'll probably have to go to AEP for flights.

Llao Llao is one of the better hotels but it is far from town and only close to one ski resort.

Check the Argentinean airline subject in this forum.

Check out what www.legatours.com (http://www.legatours.com) has to offer. If you use them, ask for Mariela (personal recommendation).

Llao Llao is definetly a great hotel to stay in .. you may want to try and find some good prices by contacting the directly from www.buenosaires.com (http://www.buenosaires.com) or through an agency. I do reccomend that you book your flights soon as it is the high season and flight availability does diminish and prices go up.

In terms of airlines, you will most probably have to switch airports to the city one named Aeroparque (code AEP)as the main local airlines serve it from here. When I was there I tried to fly with Southern Winds (www.sw.com.ar) as they are a great airline with great service in comparison to the flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas, but they're schedule and flights are not that often or convenient always. You also gain AA miles flying on SW (I know you are UA member, but hey something is better than nothing)

Inside the town of Bariloche be sure to walk around and check out the many cafe's that offer Chocrum (hot chocoalte with rum) as it's a popular thing to do. Bariloche is also known for chocoalates and very good ones.. My personal recommendation is "Mamushka" (the one who uses the Russian play figures that go inside one another). Though they will all allow you to sample, so enjoy and bring back some for your family and friends. they will love it..

If you are flying you can also fly into Santiago, Chile, and then cut accross, though you would have to check which charter tour flights are available during your specific week as LanChile (I believe) does not offer a fixed schedule.

Look around the websites above and see what else you think you'd like to do, though remember to have some wine as their vineyards are really good.

enjoy...

It looks like the only scheduled air service in/out of there is AEP/BRC on either AR's fleet of shiny new 737-200s, or A4's 737.

The airline A4 as you describe is what I believe is known as "Southern Winds" .
An Excellent airline to fly in comfort and attentive service!! When I was living there I would try to book all my flights on this airline. you wil NOT be dissapointed!!

If your Spanish is not too bad, you can take a look at the skiing section of the "La Nacion" paper of Argentina (www.lanacion.com.ar) as they have a link for skiing info.

I've travelled around Argentina a fair bit so if you have questions, feel free to post.

Thanks for all of the info.

The details are comming together. So for it looks like this. It a limited time but we should get a lot in.
Arrive Tues am in EZE. Tour BA for the day and spend the night.
Wed am travel to Bariloche. Tour Bariloche for the day. Stay at Club Hotel Catedral for 3 nights. Ski Thurs, Fri and until early afternoon on Sat. Fly back to EZE early Sat night.
Spend Sat night and until early evening in BA. Fly to US Sun night.

This gets us to see Buenos Aires and still have a few days of skiing.

Any suggestion or comments to this are appreciated. BTW, our Spanish is not too good.

Sounds good though I'd think heading to BRC the same day you arrive and going back to EZE a day earlier would be better (waste less time in transit between city/airports though AEP and Bs As are real close). I went to BRC (for mountain biking!) some 12 years ago and it must have changed a lot since.

If you wish, see my trip report for my March trip

http://members.shaw.ca/sunrunner/Argentina/Argentina.html

My 4th trip there but my GF's first.