Situated at 9,839 feet in the Andes Mountains and all above treeline, Valle Nevado is Chile’s most popular—and largest—ski resort, yet there are some key things about this impressive destination that remain undiscovered to North American skiers and snowboarders. To help educate you, we compiled a list of lesser-known facts about Valle Nevado.
1. The sunsets in Valle Nevado are spectacular
As the day draws to a close in Valle Nevado, the sky begins its colorful finale. As if on cue, condors take flight and soar amongst the snow-covered peaks as the sun wanes. The snowy, above-treeline peaks that surround Valle Nevado also do their part to enhance the stunning Andean sunset and take on the pinkish shade of the sunset.
2. Valle Nevado has a ski in ski out base village
Valle Nevado’s high-alpine base village provides incredible access to the slopes. Most guests can simply walk out the front door of their hotel, click into their skis and schuss down to the lifts. If you decide to stay in the four-star Hotel Valle Nevado or the budget-friendly Hotel Tres Puntas, you’re always just steps from the slopes. Accessing the mountain from the family-friendly Hotel Puerta del Sol requires just a short walk through the base village.
3. Valle Nevado offers access to the largest ski resort in South America
Thanks to a new lift connecting the resort to La Parva and El Colorado, Valle Nevado is now part of Chile’s Tres Valles (Three Valleys) ski area. All Valle Nevado guests receive two interconnect tickets during their stay, which accesses all three resorts’ combined 7,000 acres, 40 chairlifts and four base villages.
4. Valle Nevado receives more snow than any other resort in Chile’s central region
Boasting 275 inches annually, Valle Nevado, which means “snowy valley” in Spanish, is a great option for the powderhound who wants great snow conditions and convenience to Santiago airport on their South American ski trip.
5. You can go heli-skiing in Valle Nevado
Get exclusive access to tens of thousands of acres of pristine Andean terrain with Valle Nevado’s Eurocopter B3 helicopters. Each run is an average of 5,000 feet long, and guests can choose from one, two or three runs during their heli-skiing day.
6. Valle Nevado can be seen from Santiago
Located just 46 kilometers (28 miles) east of Santiago in the El Plomo foothills of the Andes Mountains, Valle Nevado is very convenient to Chile’s capital city, Santiago. In fact, you can see the slopes from certain points in the city.
7. Valle Nevado is the home of Chile’s first ski resort gondola + high-speed, detachable quad
In 2013, Valle Nevado became home of Chile’s first ski resort gondola. With 70 cabins holding six passengers each, the gondola transports 2,000 passengers per hour to the mid-mountain Bajo Zero restaurant. In 2001, the POMA-built Andes Express lift debuted at Valle Nevado as Chile’s first high-speed, detachable quad. Improving the interconnection with La Parva, the Andes Express transports skiers 425 vertical meters (1,395 vertical feet) to the top of Cerro Negro.
8. Like the Alps, Valle Nevado hotels offer all-inclusive dining packages
All three Valle Nevado hotels offer dining-inclusive vacation packages. For those who haven’t yet visited South America or Europe, full-board meal plans include breakfast, lunch and dinner and half-board meal plans include only breakfast and dinner.
9. Valle Nevado’s design was inspired by ski resorts in the French Alps
Running its chairlifts for the first time in 1988, Valle Nevado was modeled after the high-alpine, purpose-built design of Les Arcs and other French Alps ski resorts.
10. Valle Nevado offers the largest selection of dining options of any Chile ski resort
Valle Nevado’s six restaurants serve traditional Chilean barbeque, French, Italian and other international fare, plus daily sushi. Ranging from quick, family-friendly eats to fine-dining service and ambiance, Valle Nevado restaurants offer a variety of dining experiences and atmospheres.
11. Valle Nevado is home to South America’s only FIS-approved terrain park
In 2001, Valle Nevado was the first Chilean ski resort to open a FIS-approved terrain park. The park was built in preparation for a FIS World Cup competition.
Discover even more surprising things about Valle Nevado by experiencing it firsthand. Start by requesting a customized quote or call one of our knowledgeable Mountain Travel Experts at 800-610-8911.