Bariloche is a city in the province of Río Negro, Argentina, situated in the foothills of the Andes. Surrounded by lakes (Nahuel Huapi, Gutiérrez Lake, Moreno Lake and Mascardi Lake) and mountains (Tronador, Cerro Catedral, and Cerro López), San Carlos de Bariloche is a major international tourist destination with a permanent population of 108,205 according to the 2010 census. It is famous for skiing but also known for sight-seeing, water sports, trekking and climbing. The Cerro Catedral mountain is one of the most important ski centers in South America.
Tourism, both domestic and international, is the main economic activity of Bariloche, all year around. While popular among Europeans, its also a very popular attraction for Brazilians. One of the most popular activities is skiing. The most popular season to visit Bariloche is the winter, summer for North Americans and Europeans. The main ski station is the one at Cerro Catedral. The city is also famous for its chocolates and Swiss-style architecture.