Ski & snow in Ecuador
Including Volcán Chimborazo and Volcán Cotopaxi. On the map.
The vibe
Skiing is geographically possible on the high-altitude glaciers, but the experience is more akin to extreme mountaineering than a traditional resort holiday. You are essentially skinning up remote, glaciated terrain with no lift infrastructure to speak of, making it a pursuit for the highly experienced. It is a quiet, wild endeavor where you must be entirely self-sufficient in a high-risk environment.
Volcán Chimborazo
Chimborazo
ProfessorX / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Chimborazo offers an intense, high-altitude backcountry experience for those seeking to ski the slopes of Ecuador's highest peak. The terrain is rugged, glaciated, and demands expert-level mountaineering skills to access the snow-covered upper reaches.
Access. Located near the city of Riobamba, the mountain is accessed via the Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve. Hiring a local mountain guide service from Riobamba or Quito is mandatory for safety.
Notes. The altitude is extreme, and weather conditions can change rapidly. This is a technical backcountry destination, not a resort.
Volcán Cotopaxi
Pichincha
Manuel Rivas Coronel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
While not a traditional resort, Cotopaxi is the premier destination for high-altitude backcountry ski touring in Ecuador. Adventurous skiers navigate glaciers on one of the world's highest active volcanoes, offering a unique, steep, and challenging experience for experienced mountaineers.
Access. Access is via the Cotopaxi National Park, typically reached by a 1.5-hour drive from Quito. Visitors must hire certified mountain guides to navigate the glacier and high-altitude terrain.
Notes. Extreme altitude (summit over 5,800m) requires significant acclimatization. Skiing is strictly for experienced backcountry experts; glacier travel and avalanche awareness are essential.