Valle Nevado is a large ski resort in the Andes mountains of Central Chile, close to Santiago. The resort has a skiable area of 900 hectares, snowmaking capability available, and on-site lodging and resort services.
Understand
[edit]The resort's base elevation is 3000 meters (9843 feet) and the peak elevation is 5430 meters (17,815 feet), giving skiers a vertical drop of more than 2 km (well over a mile).
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The lift system consists of 1 enclosed gondola cable car, 5 chairlifts (including a high-speed detachable quad chair), 7 surface lifts and 3 magic carpets.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL IATA) is the closest airport to Valle Nevado. It is a large international airport with direct flights from Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Toronto and other cities.
If you have piles of disposable cash, the fastest way from the SCL airport to the ski resort is by chartered helicopter (a landing pad is available at Valle Nevado). Helicopters seat 5 passengers and make the trip to the ski resort in 15 minutes. Contact the Valle Nevado reservations center to make arrangements.
By car
[edit]By car, it will take about 90 minutes from Santiago to Valle Nevado. Car rentals are available at the airport as are taxis. There are also shared ski shuttles operated by Ski Total and CTS Turismo that can take you directly to Valle Nevado in Mercedes Sprinter vans. Prices start at CLP$32,000 one way (and very little more for round-trip on the same day).
If you decide to rent a car, the route is straightforward: simply take Ruta 70 (Autopista Costanera Norte) around the north side of Santiago and east to Valle Nevado. Note that the Autopista is a toll road. It's about 80 km from the airport to the ski resort and will take at least 90 minutes. Remote mountain roads are often narrow, twisty and covered in snow or ice. Inquire locally about road conditions and traffic restrictions. During winter months, snow chains are often required on mountain roads, which may or may not be open depending on weather conditions and avalanche risks. Roads sometimes have limited (and separate) hours for ascending or descending the mountain. If winter driving in the mountains seems too complicated, use the shuttle services instead and let the professional drivers deal with any issues.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]Do
[edit]- Ski
- Snowboard
- Hike in summer months
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]The resort has a monopoly on lodging and hospitality services on the mountain so independent businesses are not available.
- 1 La Leñera, Cam. Valle Nevado, Lo Barnechea. Daily 09:00 - 21:00. Unremarkable food at high prices for small portions.
- 2 La Fourchette, Cam. Valle Nevado 1271, Lo Barnechea. Daily 12:00 - 15:00 and 18:00 - 21:00. Mediocre food and service with mindless bureaucracy around reservations and seating times. High prices.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]The resort operates three on-mountain hotels, in order by price, they are:
- 1 Valle Nevado, Lo Barnechea. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. The most upscale of the three official resort hotels. Comfortable, spacious rooms, indoor pool, gym and jacuzzi. On-site restaurant. US$360 (CLP 325,000).
- 2 Puerta del Sol, Lo Barnechea. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. The family-friendly option with connecting rooms, balconies, and more recreational and entertainment options. 20 meters from the slopes. US$300 (CLP 300,000).
- 3 Tres Puntas, Lo Barnechea. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Smaller hotel with 82 rooms that can be connected. 100 meters from the snow. Focus is on sleeping space and nighttime comfort for groups who will be on the mountain all day. US$325 (CLP 275,000).
Connect
[edit]5G cell service is common throughout Santiago but it drops to 4G along the highway to Valle Nevado. Hotels, restaurants, and ski resort facilities have hi-speed internet with WiFi connectivity.