Valle Nevado

Valle Nevado was built in 1987 and 1988 by a French group applying the model of the purpose-built high-altitude resorts of the Alps: a set of hotels at about 3,000 metres with the lifts running from the door and nothing else on the mountain. Its terrain connects with El Colorado and La Parva, and the combined area is the largest ski domain in South America. Because it is in the Andes at this latitude the season runs from June to September, which brings northern hemisphere skiers and racing teams for summer training. The road up from Santiago climbs through around forty numbered hairpins and is the resort's defining approach.

History

Valle Nevado was built in 1987 and 1988 by French entrepreneurs as a French-Chilean project modelled on the purpose-built resorts of Europe, Les Arcs in France above all, with around 900 hectares of skiing on the foothills of El Plomo. In 2001 it opened the first detachable chairlift in the region, new lodging buildings, the Valle de los Cóndores, went up between 2008 and 2010, and in 2013 it opened the first mountain cable car in Chile (Wikipedia, Valle Nevado).

What you'll find

• A purpose-built resort from 1988 - on the Alpine high-altitude model.
• The largest ski domain in South America - linked with El Colorado and La Parva.
• A southern winter season - June to September, drawing northern teams.
• Forty hairpins up - the road from Santiago.

When to go

June to September. A day from Santiago, or several staying.

Practical notes

The road requires chains regularly and can close; uphill and downhill traffic is time-restricted on busy days. The resort is above the tree line and there is nothing to do when weather shuts the lifts. Prices are high and packages are the norm.

Nearby

Farellones and El Colorado are down the road; Santiago is below.

Key facts