- Details
- Written by: Jim Walker
- Last Updated: 20 Aug 2012
Valle Nevado is a smart, French designed, resort close to the Chilean capital Santiago. It has a look of Les Arcs or Avoriaz to it and the French concept of putting most facilities conveniently together and sheltered from the elements within in a few major buildings. The resort is constantly being expanded with the on-going target of being both top in the southern hemisphere, and potentially one of the top resorts in the world. One of the world's newest major ski areas, opened in 1988, it endeavours to offer both world class snow sports and the highest quality resort infrastructure including lodging, dining and off slope leisure facilities. Valle Nevado is located just 60km (37 miles) from Santiago's international airport, at an altitude of 2855m (10,000 feet), yet still at the foot of the imposing El Plomo Peak, amidst the incredibly breathtaking landscapes of the Andes Mountains. The Chillean capital and South Pacific Ocean lie far below. Despite copious snowfall the resort has an 80% average of sunshine days during the ski season. Skiers and boarders are both very well catered for here. The abundant powder snow is legendary; the ski area - linked to two neighbouring resorts, the largest in South America and the terrain park also the best in South America, attracting annual FIS World Cup events. Heliskiing and boarding is another strength being more affordable and easily accessible than in most other parts of the world, with huge 2,000m off piste verticals to be had.
A smart French designed resort with international cuisine prepared by European chefs. Close to Santiago, the resort is currently being expanded with the on-going target of being both top in the southern hemisphere, and potentially one of the top resorts in the world. Heliskiing is particularly popular with minimum reservations of 10 minutes for three to four people starting from about $130 (US). Snow mobiling and hang gliding are also offered.
Mountain
Valle Nevado's skiing is part of one of the three largest ski areas in the Southern Hemisphere. There are some 23,000 acres of terrain with 36km (23 miles) of pisted trails, all high above the tree-line, providing skiers and snowboarders with options for all abilities and preferences. Although famous for its powder and heliskiing, Valle Nevado is in fact well suited to beginners and intermediates with two thirds of the pisted terrain suitable for them. For first timers there's a learning zone for beginners where a new Telecuerda (modern day rope tow) was installed recently to serve the growing snowboard market. The ski school has teachers from at least eight different ski nations so you're likely to hear familiar accents wherever you're from. Experts will be tempted by the off piste powder but staying on the groomed slopes trails like Bossa Nova and El Shake should prove popular. Valle Nevado recently opened Chile's first and so far only high speed detachable quad chairlift until now. The POMA built Andes Express lift is 1,676 metres (just over a mile) long and rises 425 vertical metres and runs from the top of Cerro Negro (3450 meters), improving the connection with the area known as Valle Olympico and the interconnection with the La Parva Ski Area. At the same time a new surface lift in Valle del Inca opened a new valley in the upper section of the resort, providing another point of access/egress with La Parva. Valle Nevado's ski area interconnects with La Parva and El Colorado to make up South America's largest skiing area, "the 3 Valleys of the Andes." El Colorado has recently created a new 18m (60 feet) wide novice run around the mountain. This route makes it easier for those travelling over to the resort and Farellones from Valle Nevado through Valle Olympico. That area is an unpatrolled, off piste area between Colorado and Valle Nevado but now skiers can get off the high speed quad at Valle Nevado, turn left and just ski down the piste. Heliskiing is a major attraction at the resort with 2000m descents possible from 4200m peaks. A new state of the art helicopter was added for the 2005 season to cope with increasing demand from around the world.
Families
Valle Nevado is equipped to the highest international standards for child care, with an excellent day care centre with specially trained staff to take care of and entertain children aged two and older. Particular attention is provided by the ski school's instructors, who are also specially trained to work with children. Again children from age two can take lessons. Beyond these facilities and attractions including the swimming pool and cinemas films, the whole resort has a family friendly ethos in all its attributes.
Eating Out
Valle Nevado has an excellent selection of restaurants, offering a wide variety of flavours, aromas and styles from Alpine to Eastern Asian specialities, as well as South American cuisine. The international cuisine is prepared by European chefs. If you fancy European dining then La Fourchette D'or serves French-Mediterranean cuisine; Le Montagnard is the Swiss dining options and for Italian pizza and pasta it's La Trattoria There's home grown Chilean food at Mesón Chileno whilst food-on-the-go is available at two on-mountain fast food outlets, Slalom and Bajo Zero There's also a Sushi bar for those who love Japanese food.
Apres
Valle Nevado has several bars and a pub, Tres Puntas, as well as the Snowbird discotheque for later in the evening. Karaoke and live music is often in evidence. Recommended bars include the Valle Lounge and the Puerta del Sol bar. Other evening options include a dip in the heated pool, a steam in the sauna, a trip to the cinema or a work out at the fitness centre (if you have the energy left).
Boarding
A mecca for 'boarders attracting talented riders from Europe, the U.S. and all over South America. Valle Nevado was the first Chilean ski resort to open an FIS standard Snowboard Park, back in 2001. The Park was built in preparation for the FIS World Cup Snowboard series which the resort has been hosting as the season opener ever since. In 2004 the old halfpipe was redesigned and reborn as an FIS approved Superpipe, there's also an FIS standard boardercross course. Off-piste and heli-boarding is especially popular. The world's top snowboarders visit the resort for the event which includes Halfpipe, Boardercross, Parallel Slalom and Giant Slalom competitions.
