El Azufre Argentina
The Worlds first mountain resort to be run 100% on renewables
El Azufre is envisioned as a ski resort and mountain community created to embrace the values and technology of the 21st century. Located deep in the Andes mountains where Patagonia meets Mendoza, on the borders of Argentina and Chile, is where you will find El Azufre Mountain Resort. With towering mountains and broad valleys, El Azufre presents an exceptional opportunity to allow visitors to the experience the wild nature of South America.
The vast 12,000 hectare site is expected to feel more like a “sustainable and eco friendly mountain community” than a typical resort. With four distinct zones, including a river valley, volcanoes ranges, backcountry freeride zone, and ski area, El Azufre is poised to become the first, next generation resort. Powered 100% by renewable energy, carbon neutral through reforestation, built will local materials, and located at higher elevations are just a few of the reasons El Azufre will be recognized as a global model for the resorts of the future.
Mountainworks was engaged as the master planner given the magnitude of the project and commitment to designing a new, forward thinking resort of the future. Mountainworks has been the lead master planner and designer for all aspects of the project, including feasibility studies, master plan, design of 5 village communities, ski resort design, real estate integration, detail design, business strategy and implementation oversight.
Location
Mendoza | Argentina | Americas
Expertise
Mountain Resorts | Village | Ski Areas | Communities | Recreation
Collaborators
Mountainworks
Scale
12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) , 3,500 Beds, 5 Villages, 120 Ski in-Ski out lots, 5,000 hectares (12,300 acres) of skiable terrain, airport
An ambitious plan
The design will allow for utilization of the distinct zones of while concentrating facilities and accommodation in clustered areas in order to keep the wild feeling that makes it so special. El Azufre will provide something for everyone, from extreme big mountain activities to biking the deep valleys. At build out, El Azufre Mountain Resort aspires to be a major tourist draw for the region, providing direct and indirect economic benefits.
El Azufre is a new model of all year round mountain destination resort that focuses on recreation activities and mountain living and sustainability. El Azufre is currently in its final approval stages and currently operates as a mountain ski and heli lodge, but given the virtues of the location, it will become to be a tourist center with a 4 seasons agenda, inviting visitors to come to El Azufre for sports and sightseeing. The proposal combines eco-luxury accommodations, including the good taste of the Argentine cuisine and cradle of the best wines, with a pristine landscape and slopes that every adventure lover is looking for. Located in a private and remote area surrounded by the Andes mountain range, it boasts ideal conditions provided by 5 months of the best snow depths in the southern hemisphere.
The resort center
The Punilla Area of El Azufre is envisioned to be the heart of the resort. At build out, It will consist of a ski area that has 3 chairlifts and several surface lifts that will provide beginner teaching opportunities as well as access to the vast ski terrain. There will be opportunities to create 30-40 pistes for all ability levels that are interspersed with and surrounded by endless off-piste areas. The ski area will be anchored by a central resort village (Punilla Village), complete with hotels, apartments, houses, skier services, restaurants, and shopping. The village will be enhanced by a park, lake, river walk, trails amphitheater, and town shopping district. To the west, a secondary housing area (Punilla West) has been planned to provide for additional apartments and homes. Punilla represents an opportunity for 2,500+ beds when completed. In all cases, the master plan creates direct ski in - ski out to all the development zones.
⎯ 3D Overview of Punilla Village & Ski Area
⎯ Punilla Village Master Plan
⎯ Pioneers Club Ski in - Ski out Villas
Forward thinking
El Azufre is committed to protecting and enhancing the natural beauty of site through sustainble design and environmental stewardship. Set to be the first mountain resort in the world run 100% on renewables and completely carbon neutral, El Azufre will define itself as a model for responsible development in the 21st Century.
Climate change is the greatest threat facing the ski industry, not to mention humanity. El Azufre believes in doing its part to effect change and be a leader in the snow sports industry. While the development of a resort such as El Azufre will inherently affects the land where it is located, every effort will be made to offset these impacts. The goal is to not only preserve and protect this beautiful site, but to enhance it as well. El Azufres long-term sustainabilty is dependent on the environment.
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