The 2025-26 ski season in the United States may be winding down, with only a handful of ski resorts still open; however, Valle Nevado, located in Chile, is preparing to open for its winter season and is South America’s premier summer ski destination for Americans. On June 19, the resort will welcome skiers and snowboarders from around the world. For those who do not want the ski season to end, it hasn’t; it is just getting started in Chile.
American skiers and riders who want to chase the snow this summer can find the perfect option at the Southern Hemisphere’s largest ski resort. Valle Nevado averages 240 inches of snow a season, has a base elevation of almost 10,000 feet, and a summit elevation of over 12,000 feet. Its consistent high-altitude snow and a strong base ensured reliable conditions from June through early October.
A benefit for first-timers skiing in Chile is that skiing at Valle Nevado offers 2,400 acres of skiing (plus an additional 1,700 at La Parva) with a reasonably priced combo ticket. That combo pass grants access to a combined 4,000-plus inbounds acres and an additional 200,000 acres of backcountry and sidecountry terrain. Heli-skiing departs daily from the base area from late July through early September, meaning you can build a week of diverse skiing experiences from a Valle Nevado base camp without having to change locations.
With such a massive skiable acreage, most visitors stick to groomed runs, leaving plenty of fresh, soft snow for the powder-hounds craving off-piste terrain. Descents as big as almost 3,000 vertical feet are possible at both Valle Nevado and La Parva, and weekdays after a snowstorm can deliver uncrowded slopes and seemingly unlimited fresh tracks.
60% of Valle Nevado runs are advanced or expert, and riders will find much of the terrain fun and wide open. The Tres Puntas surface lift is the resort’s highest point and serves most of the nearby sidecountry terrain, such as Cerro Amarillo and Apu, though there are options for expert skiers from all the upper-elevation lifts. You can hire a guide from the resort to help you explore sidecountry and backcountry. The amount of terrain available for those willing to hike or ski is staggering. Prominent 13,000-foot summits, including Cerro La Parva and Cerro Pintor, sit temptingly close to upper lifts and can be skied down to the highway for roughly 7,000-foot descents. Guests will require a shuttle bus to return to the lift-access terrain. While soft-snow and off-piste skiing experience is great, there’s still plenty of easier terrain for beginners and intermediates.
Valle Nevado also offers heli-skiing packages, which feature private, guided skiing in adjacent valleys for about $2,000 per day. The operation has access to roughly 310,000 acres of privately held land, and skiers can expect to get 10,000 to 20,000 vertical feet in a day. The heli-ski terrain is best suited for skiers and riders who are strong intermediates as well as experts.
Partnerships with megapasses such as the Ikon Pass, Power Pass, and Mountain Collective have also put Valle Nevado on the radar of many American passholders, since they can get free or discounted lift tickets and lodging to help lower the cost of a Southern Hemisphere ski vacation. Valle Nevado’s proximity to Chile’s capital, Santiago, simplifies travel with regular direct flights from the United States to Santiago.
Most visitors traveling from the United States will fly into Santiago, Chile (SCL), and have the choice to rent a car or grab a private shuttle for the 90-minute journey. However, skiing and riding at Valle Nevado doesn’t require a rental car, because the hotels are ski-in, ski-out, and restaurants are on-site. The hotel concierge at Valle Nevado can also arrange airport or hotel transfer; several companies operate out of Santiago for first-time visitors who want to shop around or just manage their own booking. The cost will be from $150-$200 each way; therefore, traveling in a group is best. Visitors can save money by using a shared shuttle, but these services are mostly for Santiago day-trippers and take longer. Don’t plan on getting a full ski day in if you use one of these options. Guests need to arrange their own transport to their departure locations via taxi or rideshare. Santiago has Uber, which is a practical alternative to private shuttle pricing at certain times, but confirm your driver can accommodate large ski luggage.
Valle Nevado Mountain Stats
- Skiable Acres: 2,400 (additional 1,700 at La Parva)
- Runs: 44
- Lifts: 11 surface lifts, 1 gondola, 5 chairlifts
- Elevation: 9,925 feet (Base) to 12,041 feet (Tres Puntas Summit)
- Average Annual Snowfall: 240 inches
- Opening and Closing Dates: Late June through October
When planning a trip to South America, choosing the best time to visit that will have the best snow conditions can be difficult. August is the most reliable month for snow coverage and quality. However, snowfall patterns can vary significantly from season to season. Flexible travelers who monitor long-range forecasts may be able to powder-chase with shorter booking windows, although hotels at Valle Nevado do reach full occupancy at times.
However, this ski season at Valle Nevado has the opportunity of being a great one due to meteorologists predicting a strong El Niño. The 2026 South American ski season forecast points toward a favorable winter for the high central Andes. The strongest upside sits in Chile’s core ski belt and the adjacent highest terrain in Argentina, especially where resorts can stay cold during Pacific moisture events. The setup supports improvement, and the warm signal keeps the snowfall call from getting too aggressive. Therefore, with the likelihood of a strong El Niño this summer, and the snow it should produce, this may be the perfect season for Americans to take that destination ski trip to Valle Nevado.
Going into this winter, Valle Nevado has invested more than $3 million in capital improvements to enhance lodging options, expand terrain access, and elevate the overall guest experience. New for 2026, Valle Nevado added a fourth lodging option, the Aconcagua Ski Residences, which can be booked on its own or paired with meals and other hotel services. Located at over 3,000 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Andes Mountains, they are designed for those seeking privacy, exclusivity, and a superior ski experience.
Guided ski sessions are available exclusively to guests of the new Aconcagua Ski Residences, offering priority access and a more personalized way to explore the mountain. Complimentary sessions are held twice weekly in the mornings and are subject to advance registration and limited availability. Led by a bilingual instructor, these small-group experiences showcase different areas of Valle Nevado, including the connection to La Parva, making them an ideal option for skiers and riders seeking added comfort, convenience, and local insight.
The resort has also made several operational improvements for the 2026 season, including expanded snowmaking, lift upgrades, new grooming equipment, and more. It has modernized the Gondola and Prado lifts and added new grooming equipment to maintain consistent slope conditions throughout the winter. The resort has also enhanced its rental program with updated equipment and technology to improve the overall rental experience. Alongside these new developments, Valle Nevado’s signature winter programming includes themed family weeks, culinary and wine events, and wellness-focused retreats, with a full calendar to be announced ahead of the season. Lift operations are scheduled daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., conditions permitting.
Travelling to Valle Nevado from the United States is also very convenient for those who are weary of connecting flights. There are direct flights from the United States from Atlanta (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), and New York (JFK).
Most American powderhounds are aware of South America as a potential summer ski destination. For those who are not sure where to go, Valle Nevado — Chile’s largest ski resort — is the obvious choice.
