Dilapidated trail map at a South American ski resort.
Dilapidated trail map at a South American ski resort.

Skiing in South America is an amazing opportunity for those of us hoping to keep the snow season going throughout the Northern Hemisphere’s summer, but there are plenty of things to be aware of before you head south. From sometimes terrifying surface lifts to unique resort structures, skiing in Argentina, Chile, and other South American countries is quite a bit different than skiing in North America. One of those things, as PeakRankings points out, is the frequent lack of solid trail maps and signage around the mountains.

@peakrankings

Signage at South American ski resorts can be hit or miss. While some mountains are well-marked, others suffer from insufficient, outdated, or poorly maintained trail maps, signage, and information boardsโ€”a common issue across the region. English speakers may also find trail markings less intuitive, as not all resorts provide clear, multilingual signage. We strongly recommend grabbing a trail map if you canโ€”but be aware that some resorts donโ€™t offer physical maps or even downloadable PDFs. In some cases, youโ€™ll just need to accept that navigating the mountain might take a day or two to get the lay of the land without getting lost. #peakrankings #werankpeaks #skisouthamerica #skivacation #mountains #winter #skitrip #travel #landscape #snowboarding #wintertrip #skiusa #skiingisfun #powder

โ™ฌ original sound – PeakRankings

This is not true for all resorts in South America. Many of the resorts more frequently visited by North Americans and other foreigners are well built with frequent, readable maps and signs placed around the mountain and plenty of options for phone or printed maps.

However it’s important that you go understanding that some mountains might leave you feeling a bit more lost than others. Take your time to understand where you are in these cases.

Nolan Deck is a writer for Unofficial Networks, covering skiing and outdoor adventure. After growing up and skiing in Maine, he moved to the Denver area for college where he continues to live and work...