Valle Nevado: where all athlete levels truly embrace the snow!

What you can’t miss?

The main activity at Valle Nevado is snow sports, as the location is one of the largest ski resorts in Latin America. There are over 30 ski slopes, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, with steeper and higher slopes for more experienced skiers.

But Valle Nevado isn’t just about snow sports, as there are other activities such as gondola rides, bars, restaurants, and even some hotels. In this case, guests can even enjoy outdoor heated pools and happy hours at sunset.

How to get there?

Valle Nevado is located at the top of the Andes Mountains at 3,200 m, about 40 km from the Chilean capital, Santiago. It is possible to travel to Santiago and from there, take transportation or drive to Valle Nevado. This journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, as the snow-covered roads are winding and full of curves. There are 60 curves in total to the final destination.

For those driving, it’s worth noting: the roads can be dangerous, especially during snowstorms. If you lack experience driving in the snow, this may not be the best option.

The safest option can be to take transportation up to the mountain. For those staying at Valle, it’s possible to request a transfer service from the hotels themselves. For those going up just for the day, tourist agencies offer daily tours with transportation included. The transport picks up passengers at the hotel in the morning and returns to Santiago in the late afternoon.

The cost of the transfer (without the tour included) starts from US$29, and the cost varies depending on the number of passengers in the van. It’s also possible to book a private transfer or a shared transfer, with a set schedule.

Be careful with…

As mentioned above, the drive to Valle Nevado by car is dangerous due to snow. If you want to drive there, it’s important to know how to drive with chains on the tires, a mandatory accessory that prevents the car from slipping on the 60 curves on the way to Valle.

It’s worth noting that besides the road itself, the journey may cause nausea, motion sickness, and dizziness in passengers and the driver. It is important to bring medicine for these symptoms and ensure that your trip isn’t ruined by this momentary discomfort.

You must try…

Chile stands out as one of the main wine exporters in Latin America. While in the capital, an unmissable experience is tasting local wines.

It’s important to highlight that the country offers a wealth of flavors and varieties of wine, capable of pleasing all tastes and palates. Additionally, it’s possible to visit wineries and immerse yourself in the main flavors of Chilean culture.

Overrated – The Guru expected more

Wi-Fi signal is scarce and restricted at Valle. Only the Valle Nevado hotel offers internet connection in the rooms; in the others, guests depend on signal only in common areas. Although restaurants also offer internet, the network quality isn’t that great. Additionally, cell phones have difficulty functioning, especially for accessing the internet via 3G and 4G.

Underrated – Pleasantly surprised the Guru

Valle has excellent infrastructure to accommodate tourists who have never skied before. Here, it’s possible to count on lessons with professional instructors offered throughout the day. The instructors will speak Spanish, but will also have basic knowledge of Portuguese and English, among others.

Keep in mind that the time needed to feel confident skiing varies from person to person. But generally, it’s possible that you won’t master skiing after the third lesson, especially if you’re not familiar with sports like skateboarding and surfing, as skateboarders and surfers usually master skiing right away.

The important thing is to enjoy the falls and not give up. Group lessons are available throughout the winter season and include an instructor, equipment, and two hours of instruction. 

The cost per adult for a group lesson is:

• CLP 76,000 (US$123) in the low season 


• CLP 85,000 (US$138) in the high season. 


• For children, prices are CLP 63,000 (US$102) in the low season  


• CLP 72,000 (US$117) in the high season.

Common Mistakes

The main activity at Valle revolves around snow. It is common to rent suitable attire for snow activities, such as heavy coats and waterproof boots. 

The tip here is to rent these attires in Santiago and not at Valle or on the road to Valle Nevado. This is because, in the Chilean capital, the prices of attires are much cheaper, reaching half the price charged on the mountain.