Valle Nevado, South America’s premier ski resort, kicked off the 2026 winter season on June 19 and is preparing for an expanded opening as additional lifts, terrain, hotels, restaurants, and services come online. Full hotel operations are scheduled to begin on June 26 with the opening of Hotel Valle Nevado and the new Aconcagua Ski Residences, while Hotel Tres Puntas will open on June 25.
“We’re excited to welcome guests for another unforgettable season in the Andes and to introduce Aconcagua Ski Residences as a new way to experience Valle Nevado,” Dominique Rudloff, General Manager of Valle Nevado, said in a press release. “With unparalleled access to skiing, stunning mountain scenery, and a calendar of events celebrating Chilean culture, wine, wellness, and adventure, Valle Nevado continues to offer North American travelers a truly unique winter experience during their summer months.”
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To support early- and end-of-season operations and enhance the guest experience, Valle Nevado expanded snowmaking and grooming capabilities for the 2026 season. The resort increased its snowmaking network to the Prado and Candonga bases and added three state-of-the-art TechnoAlpin TR10 snow cannons. The system now provides snowmaking coverage, supporting key sectors including Prado, Cuando, Base Góndola, Base Andes, Retorno Alto, and Diablada, and helping provide consistent snow coverage from Ballicas to the summit of Andes and down to the Prado base.
Valle Nevado 2026 Season: Expanded Snowmaking and Grooming Upgrades
“Our snowmaking team has been working around the clock, taking full advantage of ideal conditions to maximize snow production across the mountain,” Rudloff said. “The investments we’ve made in snowmaking and grooming technology are helping us deliver quality skiing and snowboarding conditions, expand terrain as quickly as possible, and provide guests with a great experience from the very start of the season.”
What’s Open Now: Lifts, Terrain, and Dining in the Valle Nevado 2026 Season
Currently, the Vaivén, Gondola, Carrusel, Mirador, and Prado lifts are operating, with additional lifts and terrain expected to open progressively as conditions continue to improve and safety assessments allow. Valle Nevado has also expanded food and beverage operations, with Restaurant Mirador del Plomo, Valle Lounge, Bar Puerta del Sol – Zuki Nikkei, Rincón La Leñera, Cabaña La Creperie, El Montañés, and the Base Góndola food trucks currently open. Beginning June 26, La Fourchette, Monte Bianco, Sur, La Leñera, and Bajo Zero will also begin operations.
Events Calendar: Wine, Wellness, and Chilean Culture in the Andes
For the 2026 season, Valle Nevado will once again host a series of signature events celebrating Chilean culture, traditions, cuisine, wine, and mountain lifestyle. Highlights include Wine Week (July 29–August 1), featuring Chilean wines and culinary experiences; the IF3 Mountain Film Festival (August 22); Wellness Week (September 2–5), focused on health, fitness, and mountain wellness; and Chile’s National Holiday celebrations (September 18–19), which bring guests together to experience traditional music, food, dance, and culture in the Andes.
Through its interconnect agreement with neighboring La Parva, Valle Nevado provides access to more than 4,200 skiable acres, creating the largest ski area in the Southern Hemisphere. Together, the resorts offer more than 80 trails, 30 lifts, and a diverse mix of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels.
Valle Nevado 2026 Season: Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective & Pass Benefits
Guests staying at Valle Nevado can take advantage of ski-in/ski-out accommodations, award-winning dining, expansive beginner and expert terrain, and easy access from Santiago. Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective, and Power Pass holders can also enjoy exclusive lodging offers and passholder benefits throughout the season.
As one of the standout South American ski resorts of 2026, Valle Nevado is scheduled to operate through October 4, conditions permitting.
