All Images: Courtesy of Valle Nevado
As one door closes, another opens. That quote was obviously said in reference to chasing eternal winter. As the North American season dwindles, snow in South America starts piling up. If spending your summer mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking doesn’t get you jazzed, screw it. Don’t spend your days dreaming of powder, go chase it down yonder. Not only is the snow worth traveling for, but the Andes are also a culturally vibrant area with delicious food (& wine), friendly locals and affordable lodging. First-timers—don’t let a foreign country intimidate you. Our pals below the equator are visitor-friendly and easy to access from Santiago.
Here’s everything you need to know about Valle Nevado‘s upcoming ski season.
Opening Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
Valle Nevada (Spanish for “snowy valley”) lives up to its name with one of the deepest and most reliable snowpacks in the Southern Hemisphere. Stationed at 9,925 ft, the resort boasts 240 in of annual snowfall and over 2,400 acres of skiable terrain. If you have an Ikon Pass, Power Pass or Mountain Collective pass, you’ve got access to Valle Nevado. Beyond the resort, you purchase a seat on one of the four to six daily heli-drops and access an additional 4,000 ft of terrain.
Valle Nevado will expand its culinary offerings this season by opening its ninth restaurant, El Montañés. Accessible via the resort’s six-passenger gondola, the new on-mountain dining experience features mountain-inspired foods with Chilean wines and stunning views. As an extension of its recent partnership with the Power Pass and Mountain Capital Partners, Valle Nevado now offers unlimited free skiing and snowboarding for all children ages 12 and younger, no purchase required or blackout dates.
2024 Valle Nevado Event Highlights
● Chile Wine Festival features wine tastings, wine seminars and the “grand wine festival” with live music and culinary delights from all over Chile this August.
● Wellness Week features a curated itinerary of activities designed for total relaxation, from yoga and healthy cuisine to live music and fresh air in the Andes Mountains this September.
