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Travel to Valle Nevado with ski insurance from Essential Travel

The largest resort in the southern hemisphere and the loftiest of the famous Chile’s ‘Three Valleys’ ski region near Santiago, Valle Nevado ski resort oozes quality, from the French-designed ski village and slopes to the swathe of off-piste terrain. Valle Nevado is also one of Chile’s newest resorts and has been the venue for the Snowboard World Cup on a number of occasions.

The self-contained, purpose-built ski village at Valle Nevado ski resort has a marvellous atmosphere owing to its attractive make up and comprehensive facilities. The ski school is perhaps the best in the country, with its 50 bilingual instructors, while there are also ski boutiques and repair workshops as well as a bank, mini-market, beauty salon and baby sitting facilities here.

Valle Nevado ski resort has 34 slopes that favour expert skiers and snowboarders, the highest of which is the Tres Puntas summit at 12,040 feet above sea level. Several ski lifts provide transportation to the slopes at a rate of 7,500 people per hour, while a plethora of snow machines guarantee good skiing on the most important slopes and snowboarders are kept happy with the snowpark, which has the Border Cross run and a half-pipe.

There is a range of lodgings near the slopes at Valle Nevado ski resort including three top-notch hotels and a huge condominium with apartments for rent; facilities include heated swimming pools, saunas and spas. Après-ski is fun here and there are eight restaurants, some with renowned European chefs; several pubs; discos and children’s programmes.

For alternative skiing and snowboarding, the other two resorts that make up the Three Valleys complex - La Parva and Farellones-El Colorado - offer many more slopes and some altogether easier terrain. Away from the slopes, Santiago is well worth a visit and has plenty of sightseeing options and attractions to fill off-slope hours.

The ski season at Valle Nevado ski resort runs from mid-June to mid-October, with cheaper rates in September and October on weekdays and the best snow in June and July. The most convenient travel option for getting to and from Valle Nevado is to fly into Santiago and make use of the excellent shuttle services that run to the resort.

Skiing in Valle Nevado

Chile’s largest and newest ski resort, Valle Nevado is ideal for top skiers and snowboarders as well as being a family-friendly destination. It is one of the most popular ski destinations in South America and together with La Parva and Farellones-El Colorado ski resorts it forms the largest and best ski region in the country, known as Chile’s Three Valleys.

There are 34 meticulously-groomed runs at Valle Nevado that are divided into 12 per cent suitable for beginners, 29 per cent for intermediates, 41 per cent for advanced-level sliders and 18 per cent for experts. The snowpark and extensive off-piste terrain provide additional skiing and snowboarding experiences.

Alternative winter activities at Valle Nevado ski resort include: heli-skiing at altitudes in excess of 14,764 feet, with verticals of 6,562 feet; trekking; mountaineering; snowshoeing; snowmobiling and sledding. Relaxation facilities include heated swimming pools, saunas and spas at the hotels, while après-ski is provided by numerous restaurants, bars and discos.

Facilities and services at the French-designed ski village of Valle Nevado are extensive, providing everything you need for your stay at the resort including a bank, nursery, mini-market, a quality ski school and ski rental/repair services. Accommodation edges towards high-end budgets, but there are cheaper options in nearby Farellones and Santiago.

Valle Nevado ski resort’s June to October ski season sees its best snow conditions in late June and July and the cheapest rates can be enjoyed towards the season’s end on weekdays; there are discounts for children and seniors over 65 years. Valle Nevado is best reached by flying to Santiago and taking a private shuttle bus or hiring a car for the remaining journey.

Transportation to Valle Nevado

Valle Nevado ski resort lies in the heart of the Andes mountain range near Farellones and La Parva, about 40 miles northeast of Santiago. Santiago-Benitez International Airport is the point of entry and if you are staying at the resort, making use of the shuttle services is recommended, while those staying in the city are better off hiring a car.

By car from Santiago-Benitez International Airport, take route 5 south towards Santiago and then exit east onto the route 70 ring road, from where the paved and direction-controlled G21 highway heads for Farellones. There is a turn off for Valle Nevado ski resort about one mile before Farellones village, which continues for another eight miles to Valle Nevado.

Traffic on highway G21 is controlled by the police at busy times, where vehicles can only head one way towards Farellones between 08:00 and 14:00, and can only head for Santiago between 14:00 and 20:00. At other times, the road is open in both directions; snow chains must be carried during the ski season.

Santiago-Benitez International Airport is a busy and modern airport that receives many flights with multiple carriers from around the world. However, flights from London are often routed through a major US hub such as Los Angeles or New York. Numerous shuttle and taxi services offer transfers direct to Valle Nevado ski resort and Santiago.

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