Club Andino sits fifteen minutes from downtown Punta Arenas and pulls off something rare in Patagonia: a single vantage point where snow-covered peaks frame the Strait of Magellan behind them. Winter brings a chairlift, groomed runs for all abilities, and a children's ski school; summer flips to marked trails and mountain biking. The on-site café, El Refugio, does chocolate and pastries well enough to justify the trip alone. The honest catch: the restaurant buckles during peak season with waits over an hour, and the club is nearly unreachable by phone before you arrive. Call the same day to confirm the chairlift is running, and bring a sled from the Zona Franca duty-free zone if you want one - don't count on renting.
The view alone justifies the trip: snow in the foreground, the Estrecho de Magallanes behind it, fifteen minutes from downtown. The restaurant gets overwhelmed in high season, so eat early or skip it and go straight to El Refugio for hot chocolate
When to go
Winter for skiing and the chairlift; summer for trails and clearer views. Closed Mondays.
How long
1–2 hours is typical; extend it with a meal at El Refugio.
Do not miss
The view of the strait from the overlook. It's the whole point.
Entry
Adults CLP $44,000 (~USD $46); children CLP $26,000 (~USD $27). Call ahead same-day to confirm operations.