A small ski hill in a circular valley (la hoya = "the bowl") 15km north of Esquel, run as a family-friendly resort with about 24 marked runs and a vertical drop of around 850 metres. The skiing season is June to October — long by Andean standards because the valley faces south and holds snow well.
La Hoya is much smaller than Bariloche's Cerro Catedral and a fraction of the price, with shorter lift queues, simpler off-piste options for ski touring, and a relaxed atmosphere. Equipment hire is available at the base lodge or in Esquel; daily lift tickets are very reasonable. Most people stay in Esquel and drive up — about 25 minutes by car — though there are a couple of small mountain lodges at the base.