Valle Nevado, one of South America’s top ski destinations, is officially the first resort in Chile to open for the 2025 season.
Fueled by early-season four-foot snowfall and forecasts calling for more on the way, lifts opened on Friday, June 13, a full week ahead of schedule.
The early opening marks the second year in a row Valle Nevado has kicked off winter ahead of other resorts in Chile and those in neighboring Argentina.
The resort reopens after one of its longest and most successful seasons ever, in 2024, with more $3.4 million in improvements for 2025, including lift upgrades, expanded terrain, and hotel renovations.
Located just 90 minutes from Santiago and sitting at 9,925 feet, Valle Nevado offers access to the largest interconnected ski area in the Southern Hemisphere.
It’s also a go-to destination for Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective, and Power Pass holders, with exclusive packages now available.
Buyers of the 2024/25 or 2025/26 passes have access.
“We’re excited to launch another winter season ahead of schedule,” said Ricardo Margulis, General Manager of Valle Nevado. ”With significant early snowfall and a wide range of capital improvements, Valle Nevado is ready to welcome North American visitors to experience the best snow in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Ahead of the 2025 ski season, Valle Nevado has invested over $3.4 million USD in capital improvements and upgrades both on and off the slopes, setting the stage for an exceptional winter.
Enhancements include lift modernization, hotel renovations, expanded terrain, and new on-mountain amenities designed to elevate the ski experience in the Chilean Andes.
Lift tickets are on sale now, with FIX tickets—date-specific pricing—starting at just $15,000 CLP (approximately $16 USD). That’s not a typo – $16, no zeroes as lift ticket prices in the USA.
Improved access and interconnect options link Valle Nevado with neighboring La Parva, creating the largest skiable destination in the Southern Hemisphere with 7,000 acres, 30 lifts, and 80 trails.
La Parva is scheduled to open on June 10.
Both resorts will continue to offer the Power Kids season pass, providing free skiing for all children 12 and under.
Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective and Power Pass season passholders can take advantage of exclusive packages that include lodging at one of Valle Nevado’s three ski-in/ski-out hotels, lift tickets, breakfast and dinner.
Promotions are available now at vallenevado.com/pt/hotel-promotions.
Ski-In, Ski-Out
I recommend that you stay in Valle Nevado, instead of commuting from Santiago.
The mountain road is one of the most treacherous in the world, with dozens of truly frightening hairpin turns, and no guardrails.
It’s a true nail-biter and adrenalin-punper, as I learned from my own visit several years ago.
On some weekends, for safety, the road is one-way only to the resort on Friday afternoons and evenings, and one-way only back down on Sunday afternoons.
Hotels Puerta del Sol and Tres Puntas will open for the 2025 season on June 20, followed by Hotel Valle Nevado on June 27.
Valle Nevado will operate daily from June 13 through early October, with lifts spinning from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn more at vallenevado.com/en.
About Valle Nevado
Perched in the Chilean Andes with a base elevation of 9,925 feet, Valle Nevado’s high altitude and southern orientation naturally produce the best snow conditions in the Southern Hemisphere. Valle Nevado provides a world-class skiing experience with 2,400 skiable acres, three ski-in/ski-out hotels, and a diverse culinary scene. Beyond resort boundaries, interconnect tickets with La Parva Ski Resort provide access to even more terrain, for a combined total of 7,000 acres of skiable terrain.
Managed by the National Heli-Ski Association of Chile, Valle Nevado’s guided Heli-Ski operation offers full-day and half-day excursions with vertical drops ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. From June to October, Ikon Pass, Power Pass and Mountain Collective season pass holders can experience Valle Nevado’s legendary sunsets, après-ski scene and endless winter. Valle Nevado proudly serves as the summer training ground for Olympic ski and snowboard teams from the Northern Hemisphere.
Learn more at vallenevado.com/en.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emeritus of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
Thanks for following ecoXplorer.
What do you think? We value your comments and love hearing from you.