Valle Nevado Ski Resort

The Basics

Valle Nevado Ski Resort is a great day trip option from Santiago; there’s an abundance of tour options to suit every traveler type. While almost all tours include round-trip transfers from your Santiago hotel, some include a ski or snowboard lesson and free time to explore the mountain towns of Farellones and El Colorado, two interconnected settlements located at almost 11,000 feet (3,352 meters) above sea level. If you’re pressed for time, opt for a half-day trip, some of which include cheese-and-wine tastings.

Things to Know Before You Go

• A must-visit location for skiing and snowboard enthusiasts, and fans of winter landscapes.
• The resort is home to 37 trails of varying difficulty level and a snow park that is specially designed for beginners.
• For the ultimate skiing experience, opt for the HeliSki package, which takes you to usually inaccessible, high-altitude routes in a helicopter.

How to Get There

Getting to Valle Nevado is an adventure in itself. The corkscrew road leading to the resort offers multiple twists and turns, and climbs to an altitude of 8,170 feet (2,490 meters); it can take between 1.5–2 hours to drive this, depending on road conditions and traffic. To avoid the stress of hiring a car, opt for a tour that includes round-trip transfers.

When to Get There

To ensure blue skies and premium ski conditions, visit Valle Nevado from February through April or October through December. Ski trails are generally open from 9am–2pm and 3pm–6pm Monday-Friday, and are closed over the weekends.

Wine and Food Festivals

During the month of August, Valle Nevado celebrates Chile’s fine wine and fresh produce. During the annual Chilean Wine Festival, tasting sessions, talks, and presentations celebrate the country’s love of wine, while the Food Festival brings seminars by top chefs and special menus in the resort’s restaurants.