Every February, Bariloche opens the global Skyrunner World Series with the Cuatro Refugios Non Stop: 40km and 3,350m of vertical through the Nahuel Huapi massif. Two weeks later the Andes Mountain Skyrace in Chile peaks at 5,424 metres. Jose Manuel Quispe won both races in 2026. Check official dates before booking for 2027.
Every February, when winter still grips the Northern Hemisphere race calendar, the world’s best skyrunners converge on a small Argentine city ringed by granite towers and glacier lakes. Bariloche is not just a chocolate-box tourist town — it is the skyrunning capital of the Southern Hemisphere, and its Cuatro Refugios Non Stop has opened the global Skyrunner World Series season for two decades running. In 2026, the 20th anniversary edition drew more than 800 runners from across the globe; José Manuel Quispe of Peru broke the course record, and Canadian Kalie McCrystal did the same on the women’s side.
The appeal runs beyond a single race. Within a fortnight, the season’s second act plays out in the Chilean Andes: the Merrell Andes Mountain Skyrace climbs to 5,424 metres above sea level, making it the highest-altitude race in the entire Skyrunner World Series. Add Ultra Fiord at the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia, the Patagonia Run festival in April, the intimate Patagonia Running Festival inside Torres del Paine, and the confirmed Patagonia Bariloche by UTMB in May, and you have something no other region on earth can match: a complete season of world-class trail racing stitched into three months of austral summer.
As of June 2026, the Skyrunner World Series 2027 calendar has not been officially announced. Dates for the Cuatro Refugios and Andes Mountain Skyrace in this article are projections based on prior-year patterns. Always verify at skyrunnerworldseries.com and the individual race websites before booking flights or accommodation.
The Cuatro Refugios Non Stop: SWS Season Opener
The Carrera 4 Refugios Non Stop began in 2006 as a Club Andino Bariloche challenge among mountain guides. Two decades later it is a RED-rated Skyrunner World Series race — the highest classification, meaning it carries maximum points toward the SWS world title. The course is unchanged in spirit: start at Cerro Catedral, traverse four historic refugios across the Nahuel Huapi massif, and finish in the Colonia Suiza valley. What has changed is the field.
The four refugios and the course
The race route connects four huts managed by Club Andino Bariloche, each set in a different granite cirque of the Nahuel Huapi massif. Refugio Emilio Frey sits above Laguna Toncek at roughly 1,700m — the first checkpoint and the most-visited backcountry hut in Argentine Patagonia. From Frey the course traverses exposed ridges to Refugio San Martín Jakob above Laguna Jakob, then climbs to the most technically demanding section: the Brecha Negra crossing between Laguna Negra and Refugio Manfredo Segre. The final stretch descends through native coihue, ñire and lenga beech forests to Refugio López before the run out to Colonia Suiza.
2026 edition: course records and the Quispe-McCrystal double
The 20th anniversary race in February 2026 produced two course records. José Manuel Quispe of Peru finished in 5:39:40, Kalie McCrystal of Canada in 6:21:10. Quispe went on to win the Andes Mountain Skyrace two weeks later — the first time in recent memory the same athlete swept both SWS opening races. McCrystal, speaking to the press after her finish, described the course as testing “every aspect of your racing: endurance, technique, and mental concentration.” She was not wrong: the Brecha Negra section demands technical scrambling, and the scree slopes approaching Refugio Frey test quad strength that no road race prepares you for.
Training on the Cuatro Refugios terrain
The Refugio Frey approach (19km return from the Cerro Catedral trailhead, 755m gain) is the single best day to understand the race. You can take ski lifts to the top of Cerro Catedral and hike down, which saves legs but gives you the terrain in reverse. The full hut-to-hut traverse from Frey through Jakob, Laguna Negra, and López is a five-day route covering 46km — the race covers it in five-and-a-half hours. Bus 55 from downtown Bariloche reaches the Cerro Catedral trailhead.
Merrell Andes Mountain Skyrace: the World’s Highest SWS Race
Two weeks after Bariloche, the Skyrunner World Series moves north into the central Chilean Andes. The Merrell Andes Mountain Skyrace is a WHITE-rated Stage 2 race, but its defining characteristic is altitude: the flagship 42K El Plomo distance climbs to 5,424 metres above sea level, a figure that appears nowhere else in the SWS calendar.
The race is based at La Parva Ski Center in Lo Barnechea, Santiago Metropolitan Region — roughly a five-hour drive north of Bariloche. The start at La Parva sits at 2,700m, and the climb to Cerro El Plomo and back stacks up 3,300m+ of vertical. In 2026, Quispe again won the men’s race; Rosalía Zegarra of Peru took the women’s title. The 2026 race was held on 7 March; the 2027 edition is projected around 6-7 March but not yet officially confirmed.
At 5,424m, the Cerro El Plomo summit is in serious altitude territory. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness typically appear above 3,500m in unacclimatised athletes. Arriving at La Parva (2,700m) at least three to four days before race day is the minimum preparation. Consider spending time in Santiago (567m) then ascending gradually. Do not underestimate this race on the basis of its 34km distance — the altitude turns it into an entirely different physiological challenge from Bariloche.
The Full 2027 Patagonia Trail Running Calendar
Patagonia’s austral summer window runs from December through April, and 2027 offers an unusually dense programme of world-class events.
Ultra Fiord: the extreme south opener
Ultra Fiord runs through the fjords of extreme southern Chilean Patagonia, in the vicinity of Puerto Natales (250km north of Punta Arenas) and the Torres del Paine National Park. With four distances from 16K to 55K and 4,000m elevation gain on the flagship course, the race is a selection event — previous experience is required for entry. It is expected in early February 2027 based on its annual pattern. If you are planning the full Patagonia season, starting at Ultra Fiord before heading north to Bariloche is the logical sequencing.
For a deeper look at the area — whether racing or not — our Torres del Paine W Trek hut-to-hut guide covers logistics and accommodation in detail.
Patagonia Bariloche by UTMB: the season closer
The 2027 Patagonia Bariloche by UTMB is confirmed for 13-16 May — a rare certainty in the 2027 calendar. The flagship TRONADOR 130K covers 132km and 6,516m of gain with a night start from Bariloche’s Civic Center, crossing Mounts Pontoneros, Catedral, Otto and Bella Vista before finishing at Lake Gutiérrez. The shorter FREY 85K (86km), BELLA VISTA 55K (57.5km), and NAHUEL HUAPI 33K are available for all levels. May falls in Patagonian autumn — cooler and potentially snowier than February — but the terrain is identical. Registration opens 20-21 November 2026.
Bariloche as a Runner’s Base
San Carlos de Bariloche (population 140,000) is the obvious anchor point for a Patagonia trail season. It sits at 770m at the edge of Nahuel Huapi National Park, which at 7,045km2 is large enough to absorb months of exploration without repeating a trail. February temperatures average 22°C by day and 6°C at night, making it the driest and warmest month of the Patagonian summer — ideal conditions for fast running on dry scree.
Arriving a few days early: the orientation circuit
For athletes arriving before race registration, the half-day combination of a low-difficulty trek to Llao Llao Hill and panoramic views from Cerro Campanario is the classic Bariloche orientation circuit — covering the Nahuel Huapi lake panoramas, Llao Llao Hotel, and the Angostura Bridge in a single efficient morning. It settles your legs after the flight and gives you a spatial understanding of the lake district before heading into the mountains.
Active recovery: cross-training on the Nahuel Huapi lakes
Between training days, the lakes of the Bariloche district offer exceptional active recovery options. A day on the water — paddling across the bays and coves of Nahuel Huapi — provides aerobic load without the eccentric stress of mountain trails. For athletes who want to combine both disciplines in a single day, the multisport format pairing morning kayaking on Moreno Lake with an afternoon hike to Mirador del Tristeza delivers the training variety that serious skyrunners use to build capacity without breakdown.
Customisable mountain days for serious training
For athletes who want a fully tailored training stimulus on Andean Patagonian terrain — including routes that cross the same forests used by the Cuatro Refugios and UTMB courses — a private guide who adapts the itinerary to your goals is the most time-efficient option. Routes extend from Nahuel Huapi National Park into El Bolsón and even across the border to Puyehue National Park in Chile. Day hikes or overnight refuge stays are available.
Extending the Trip: Patagonia Beyond Bariloche
The Andes Mountain Skyrace draws athletes to Santiago, which opens another corner of Patagonia entirely — the high-altitude central Chilean Andes near La Parva. After the races, many athletes extend their trip south to El Chaltén and the Perito Moreno Glacier, the classic extension of any Argentine Patagonia visit.
El Chaltén is the trail running mecca of southern Patagonia, home to the iconic Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy massifs. The circuits around Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre — both accessible from the village — are among the most photographed trail running landscapes on earth. For an athlete arriving from Bariloche or Santiago after the February-March race window, a few days in El Chaltén before flying home from El Calafate is a logical and deeply rewarding finish to a Patagonian season.
If you are tracking multi-event trail seasons globally, our Oman by UTMB 2026 race guide offers a useful reference on how another southern-hemisphere-style trail destination (December racing window, extreme terrain, logistical complexity) structures itself for competitive athletes.
El Chaltén and Perito Moreno: the post-race extension
A three-day private itinerary combining El Calafate (gateway), the Perito Moreno Glacier and El Chaltén covers the defining landscapes of greater Patagonia. The glacier itself is one of the few advancing glaciers on earth, and El Chaltén’s trail network around Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre defines the visual identity of Argentine Patagonia’s trail running scene.
Multisport cross-training day near Bariloche
For athletes with time before or after a race, the full multisport day combining morning kayaking on Moreno Lake with an afternoon hike to Mirador del Tristeza is the highest-density active experience available near Bariloche. Cerro López views over the immensity of Nahuel Huapi and Cerro Capilla, endurance paddling on calm glacier-fed water, and a mountain hike — all in a single guided private day.
Race Packing Checklist
- Helmet -- mandatory for the entire Cuatro Refugios Non Stop, not just technical sections
- Trail shoes with aggressive lugs -- scree slopes, wet granite and beech root networks all feature on Patagonia courses
- Trekking poles -- mandatory for some categories; significantly useful on the 3,350m ascent profile
- Waterproof jacket -- Patagonian weather changes within minutes at ridge altitude even in peak summer
- Headlamp with spare batteries -- night starts or long cutoff windows require several hours in the dark
- Emergency bivouac or space blanket -- standard SWS mandatory kit; temperatures drop sharply above 1,800m at night
- Electrolyte tablets and a solid race nutrition plan -- aid stations in Patagonia are sparser than European races
- Argentine pesos in cash -- Bariloche gear shops and refugio stores often prefer cash; ATMs at the airport and city centre
- SUBE card for Bariloche city buses -- required to reach Cerro Catedral (Bus 55) and trailheads
- Travel insurance covering mountain rescue and medical evacuation -- Argentina's emergency number is 107 (medical) or 911
- Entry visa if required -- check Argentina and Chile visa requirements for your nationality well in advance
- For Andes Mountain Skyrace: altitude medication consultation with your doctor before travel (above 3,500m terrain)
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FAQ
When does the Cuatro Refugios Skyrace take place in 2027?
The 2027 edition of the Cuatro Refugios Non Stop has not yet been officially confirmed as of June 2026. Based on its consistent annual pattern, the race is expected around the third weekend of February 2027 -- approximately 20-21 February. The 2026 edition ran on 21-22 February and was the opening race of the Merrell Skyrunner World Series. Always verify at carrera4refugios.com.ar before booking travel.
What is the course of the Cuatro Refugios race?
The Cuatro Refugios Non Stop covers 40km with 3,350m of elevation gain, starting at the base of Cerro Catedral. The course traverses four historic mountain refugios operated by Club Andino Bariloche: Refugio Emilio Frey (Laguna Toncek, 1,700m), Refugio San Martín Jakob (Laguna Jakob), Refugio Manfredo Segre (Laguna Negra, the most technical section featuring the Brecha Negra crossing), and Refugio López. The finish is in the Colonia Suiza area. Approximately 90% of the route follows high-altitude trails across exposed scree ridges with slopes up to 35 degrees. A helmet is mandatory throughout.
What is the Andes Mountain Skyrace and where is it held?
The Merrell Andes Mountain Skyrace is a Skyrunner World Series race held at La Parva Ski Center, Lo Barnechea, in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile -- not in Bariloche. It is the second stage of the SWS season, typically two to three weeks after the Cuatro Refugios. The flagship 42K El Plomo distance reaches 5,424 metres above sea level, making it the highest-altitude race in the entire Skyrunner World Series globally. In 2026 it was held on 7 March; the 2027 date is expected around 6-7 March but not yet confirmed.
What other Patagonia trail running races are in the 2027 calendar?
The 2027 Patagonian trail calendar extends well beyond the February-March skyrace window. Confirmed dates include Patagonia Run (7-11 April 2027, San Martín de los Andes, Neuquén, billed as Latin America's largest trail festival), Patagonia Running Festival (24 April 2027, Torres del Paine National Park, 500-runner cap), and Patagonia Bariloche by UTMB (13-16 May 2027, Bariloche). Ultra Fiord in Puerto Natales is expected in early February 2027, though dates are not yet confirmed. See also our complete guide to the Torres del Paine W Trek for non-race options in the region.
How do I get to Bariloche for a trail running race?
San Carlos de Bariloche (IATA: BRC) is served directly from Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) by Aerolíneas Argentinas, JetSmart and Flybondi -- a roughly two-hour flight. The airport is 13km east of the city centre. For the Cuatro Refugios race, Cerro Catedral (the start line) is accessible by Bus 55 from downtown Bariloche. Overnight sleeper buses from Buenos Aires take approximately 20 hours and are a popular budget option. Book accommodation early: race week in February fills the city quickly.
Where should I stay in Bariloche for trail running training?
Athletes targeting the Cuatro Refugios course should consider staying near Cerro Catedral ski base, where accommodation allows walking access to the Refugio Frey trailhead. For race week itself, the Civic Center area gives easy access to public transport and gear shops (The North Face, Raid, Scandinavian). The landmark Llao Llao Hotel & Resort sits 25km from downtown on the Llao Llao Peninsula, with direct access to lakeside trails. Budget runners favour the highly-rated Penthouse 1004 hostel for its views and trail community atmosphere.
Do I need altitude acclimatisation for Patagonia skyrunning?
For the Cuatro Refugios Non Stop in Bariloche, formal acclimatisation is not required. The city sits at only 770m and the race peaks at approximately 2,100-2,200m -- well within reach for most trained athletes. The Andes Mountain Skyrace in Chile is a very different matter: the course climbs to 5,424m above sea level and serious altitude preparation in the Santiago area (La Parva is at 2,700m) is strongly recommended for at least 3-4 days before race day. Altitude physiology affects performance significantly above 3,500m; give your body time to adapt.
Sources
- Merrell Skyrunner World Series — 2026 Race Calendar — Skyrunner World Series
- Explosive start to the 2026 Merrell SWS at 4 Refugios — race report — Skyrunner World Series
- Patagonia Bariloche by UTMB — Official Website — UTMB World Series
- Patagonia Run — Official Website — Patagonia Run
- Patagonia Running Festival — Official Website — Patagonia Running Festival
- Andes Mountain Skyrace 2025 — ISF Race Page — International Skyrunning Federation
- Club Andino Bariloche — Carrera 4 Refugios — Club Andino Bariloche
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