Valle Nevado

Introduction to Valle Nevado Skiing

Valle Nevado Skiing is considered to be the best ski centre closest to Santiago. The name “Valle Nevado”, translated into English means “snow valley”, which is a very apt for this ski centre because its base location is at a height of 2,860m rising to 3,670m above sea level in the heart of the Andes Mountains, and within a natural, mountain bowl. This combination creates the conditions for a better chance of snow compared to the other ski centres around Santiago, during the winter months of June, July and August. Also, the high mountain ridges protect the snow in the bowl from too many hours daytime sun, thus preserving the snow for a longer period than the other nearby ski centres.

The actual complex sits on a small plateau at a height just short of 3,000m beside an almost vertical mountain ledge. It is within a natural mountain bowl, surrounded by mountains on all sides, and the ski zones are to the north-east side of the complex with many facing southeast.

It has a great reputation for power skiing and its stupendous views over the Andean Mountain peaks.

Valle Nevado Infrastructure

Location: Southeast from Santiago
Road Distance from Santiago: 46km
Skiing Altitude: 2,860m (9,383ft) to 3,670m (12,040ft)

Vertical Drop: 810m (2,657ft)

Pisted Terrain: 21 Runs
15% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced, 15% Expert
Combined Ski Trail Distance: 37km
Backcountry Access: Excellent

Heliski: Yes

Historical Season Snow Dump: 7m
Lifts: 12
Accommodation:  Hotel Tres Puntas, Hotel Puerta del Sol, Hotel Valle Nevado, plus Self-Catering Apartments.
Restaurants: 6 / Bars and Pubs: 4 / Mountain Restaurant: 1 / Ski Rental Shop: 1 / Boutique Shop: 1 / Ski School: 1 / Minimarket:1

Valle Nevado Ski Area
The ski area from Valle Nevado covers almost 2,832 hectares (7,000 acres) – the largest ski area in South America. Within this sector are black, blue and red runs, off-piste and snow-board areas. New runs are often opened, along with more chair lifts to provide better access to the ski area. It is also one of the participants of the “Three Valley Ski Network” linking together La Parva and El Colorado and opening up an even larger ski area of 100km of groomed pistes. And, in addition, in 2010 a new, fast-speed, chairlift was installed, the first of its type in South America, to transport skiers more quickly up the mountain. There are also different, designated areas with ski bumps, jumps and powder.

Valle Nevado boasts one of the best Terrain Parks in South America, designed and maintained for freestyle tricks suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers, as well as snowboarders. The facilities include boxes, jumps and rails of different difficulty levels. You choose your limits. For example, within the Terrain Park are rollers, two boxes, rainbow, mini boxes, wall riders, and three jumps for the intermediate level skiers, as well as two rails with box, step up jumps and a quarter-pipe for the more advanced level of skier.

Usually, the ski season in Valle Nevado can be considered more reliable than other ski centres close to Santiago, as well as the fact that there are a good number of artificial snow-making machines on the slopes too. For this reason Valle Nevado is the only place in South America where the International Ski Federation (FIS) holds one of its Skiing World Cup competitions.

Today Valle Nevado is considered to be the best ski centre in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a complete ski experience package of various accommodation levels, restaurants, pisted ski runs, off-piste, powder skiing and helicopter skiing, snow-board parks and ski competitions. Indeed, Valle Nevado is often the place where Northern-Hemisphere national ski teams come to practice and is frequented by the international skiing community, more so than the local Chilean families.
Three Valleys: Part of the Three Ski Valley network with La Parva and Valle Nevado
Ski Rental Shop: 1 / Restaurants: 3 / Pub: 1