Featured Image: Courtesy of Valle Nevado
Winter is fast approaching in the Southern Hemisphere. We always have our eye on Chile this time of year, as the Andes boast one of the most vibrant ski cultures around. Often flying under the radar, the resorts and skiers here have always caught our attention. Two of FREESKIER’s favorite operations in the area, Valle Nevado and La Parva, recently announced an array of new upgrades heading into the coming season.
The resorts have invested $4 million USD into various projects, from dining to lift upgrades and trail maintenance. Located just outside of the capital city of Santiago, the two ski areas offer different experiences, with the new upgrades specifically tailored to each.
La Parva has a vibrant freestyle scene, wide open groomers, beginner terrain and is easily accessible from the city. The drive to Valle Nevado yields more high-alpine freeride terrain and backcountry access, not to mention the famous Valle Nevado Heliski operation.
La Parva Improvements:
For winter 2025, the main improvements at La Parva will include lift renovations, snowmaking enhancements, a new French restaurant at the Alpha Base and additions to their retail options. Funding for lifts will be centered around the Alpha, Águilas and Fabres chairlifts, with the goal of increasing the “dependability and consistency” of the lifts, according to the official press release.
Snowmaking upgrades are perhaps the most important part of this announcement. With a base of 8,700 feet and anywhere from 100-200 inches of snow per year, La Parva relies on man-made snow to open a variety of terrain and keep it skier-friendly during both early and late season. “La Parva is investing in expanded snowmaking coverage,” the resort said, “enabling top-to-bottom skiing on the Alpha chairlift, enhancing early and late-season conditions at a key access zone for La Parva’s terrain.”
Valle Nevado Improvements
The upgrades at Valle Nevado will echo those at La Parva, with a few key differences. The Andes Express and Mirador lifts, along with the primary Gondola, are all being renovated for improved efficiency. The Hotel School Zone is also being expanded to offer more beginner terrain at the mountain’s base.
The resort is adding a new food truck to offer fast and delicious offerings on the hill, as well as continued renovations to both the Puerta del Sol and Valle Nevado hotels. New room features as well as a remodeled lobby, bar and fitness center are all on deck.
It’s also worth highlighting that resorts are instituting new pass programs for winter 2025. Day tickets add-ons will provide skiing at both resorts, along with special lodging discounts.
Other pass options include:
- Power Pass: 10 days of skiing between Valle Nevado and La Parva, plus up to 15% off Valle Nevado hotel packages.
- Ikon Pass: Up to seven ski days and 10% off lodging at Valle Nevado.
- Mountain Collective: Up to 3 days of skiing and 15% off rack rate hotel stays at Valle Nevado.
If you’re a Chilean skier or someone in the Northern Hemisphere looking to head south, it’s going to be a great ski season. The Andes had a historic winter in 2024, stacking up record-breaking snow totals. Valle Nevado has set a tentative opening date of June 20, while La Parva has not yet announced when they will start spinning lifts. Check back in for more updates as the snow begins to fall in the Andes Mountains.
