Valle Nevado (Chile)
Ski Resort Review, Information and Guide
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Valle Nevado Chile
Mountain Summary:
| Base: | 9383 ft |
| 2860 m | |
| Summit: | 12,041 ft |
| 3670 m | |
| Vertical: | 2,657 ft |
| 810 m | |
| Ski area: | 2,200 acres |
| 890 hectares | |
| Runs: | 42 |
| Total Lifts: | 15 |
| Terrain parks: | 1 |
| Snowfall: | 276" |
| 701 cm | |
| Night Skiing: | no |
Lifts:
| Gondola: | 1 |
| Quad Chairs: | 2 |
| Triple Chairs: | 1 |
| Double Chairs: | 3 |
| Surface Lift: | 8 |
Runs/trails:
| Beginner: | 10% |
| Intermediate: | 36% |
| Advanced: | 33% |
| Expert: | 21% |
Daily Report:
| Status: | closed |
| Currency: | CLP |
Resort Services:
- ski rental
- ski instruction
- food
- lockers
- ski shop
- child care 4 yrs+
Weather:
Valle Nevado is located only 50 miles (80 km) from the Santiago International Airport and is as popular with the international traveler as it is with the local elite who live in the wealthy foothills community of Farellones, where the mountain road to the resort begins. Valle Nevado provides an international ambiance and flair with their Chilean gourmet food, patio gathering areas and base hotel. This resort caters to the needs of the beginner and intermediate skiers. There are runs marked as advanced but I found nothing that could be considered extreme. The beginner and intermediate terrain is found at the lower elevations with more advanced runs higher up the mountain.
As with any ski resort in the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite from that of the Northern hemisphere. Ski season at Valle Nevado is from late June to mid September. Because of this season inversion, you may see ski teams from around the Northern hemisphere training here in their off season.
Valle Nevado is an international destination resort and easily accessible by car, bus or helicopter from the Santiago International Airport.
View of the mid-mountain chalet at the top of the gondola lift. Note that the terrain gets more challenging at elevations above this point.
The terrain at Valle Nevado is wide open and all above the tree line. What you see is what you get. If it is not enough terrain, you can actually ski over to the resorts of La Parva or El Colorado, although your Valle Nevado lift pass will not be valid there. One would have to purchase the appropriate passes ahead of time.
Beginners and Intermediates:
Beginner terrain is at the lower elevations with the easiest near the base of the gondola or by the hotel. Intermediate skiers can venture farther and should be able to navigate most of the mountain.
Beginner kids run and magic carpet lift located at the top of the gondola next to the Bajo Zero, the mid-mountain chalet.
Intermediate run
Valle Nevado Chile: Gondola Base and day parking. Peak on the left is actually in the neighboring resort of El Colorado. Note that most of the mountain is comprised of beginner and intermediate runs.
Advanced Ski Terrain:
The upper terrain is home to the advanced runs.
Top of Andes Express lift.
Under the rocks of the top of Andes Express lift
Upper terrain at the top of Andes Express lift. The other side of the ridge is the resort El Colorado.
Tree Runs:
Valle Nevado is above the tree line - no trees.
Mogul Runs:
We did not find many runs that would qualify as "mogul runs", just one. Steeper terrain and more skiers might help. The trail map marks a portion of a run named "Luna" (under the Andes Express lift) as "bumps". This is the only portion of the mountain which featured any consistent mogul formation.
Mogul run: "Luna" run beside the Andes Express lift
Out of Bounds Skiing:
If one is to journey out of the resort boundary to the upper left side of the trail map off of the peak of Valle de Inca lift, you will venture into the boundary of the La Parva ski resort. If one heads out of bounds at a lower elevation from the run "Sol 1", you will end up in the ski resort of El Colorado. Note that your Valle Nevado lift pass is not valid at either La Parva or El Colorado.
A warning sign that you are about to enter the resort La Parva. Don't let their snowboard park tempt you unless you have a La Parva lift ticket. Sign states "You Are Welcome to La Parva" but "Ticket Required".
Valle Nevado Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- Extremely scenic resort located in the very picturesque Andes mountain range.
- Few people on the mountain and no crowds.
- Inexpensive lift tickets and good food.
- No surprises with this wide open and very visible terrain.
- Cons:
- No local town. Closest town is a suburb of Santiago.
- Lack of advanced terrain.
There is one terrain park accessible from the top of the gondola or Candonga lift.
Entrance to the Snow Park. Note that the mountain peak straight in front is from the neighboring resort of El Colorado and not part of Valle Nevado.
There is one on-site operator at the entrance to the hotel and condo parking lot: VivaValle: 224777182/224777183
One can also make heli-ski reservations through the resort: Valle Nevado heli-ski packages
VivaValle, located at the entrance to the hotel and condo parking lot.
The Hotel Puerta del Sol and Hotel Valle Nevado define the resort atmosphere its' patios, restaurants and shops. The hotels and surrounding condos at the mountain base provide the accommodations for this mountain. There is no additional ski town or village.
Valle Nevado Chile mountain base and patio. Access to a patio bar, restaurants and a ski shop.
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