Escape the Summer Heat at Chile’s Valle Nevado

This post is brought to you by Valle Nevado.

Summer is in full swing across North America, with many regions enduring some of the year’s most intense heat waves. But instead of suffering in the sweltering heat and waiting months for winter’s return, U.S. skiers have an opportunity to catch one of South America’s best resorts at the perfect time.

Chile’s Valle Nevado offers the chance to trade summer heat for powder turns, high-alpine scenery, and more than 2,400 acres of skiable terrain. Located above 9,900 feet in the Andes, the resort is still in winter, and August and September remain among the resort’s best months to visit. For skiers eager for summer turns, a trip to Valle Nevado provides access to some of the Southern Hemisphere’s best lift-served skiing at one of the best times.

In just the past week, 6.7 inches of snowfall have blanketed the resort, bringing its season total to a solid 163 inches. The fresh snow has kept conditions nice and light across the resort’s 2,400 acres, perfect for carving up its groomers, bowls, and off-piste terrain. 41 of the resort’s 45 slopes are open (over 90% of the resort’s slopes), along with 12 of its 13 lifts, giving skiers full access to the resort’s high alpine terrain. Valle Nevado also features a mixed balance of beginner, intermediate, and expert terrain, providing every skier a place to feel comfortable on the slopes.

• Related: SnowBrains Forecast: Up to 50 cm for South America through Thursday, Bigger Weekend Reload

At Valle Nevado, August and September are often excellent times to visit. At this point in the season, the resort has had time to build its snowpack, creating a strong base before late-season storms bring prime powder conditions. August and early September are traditionally among the resort’s snowiest and most reliable periods, filled with powder days, bluebird skies, and small crowds. As the season winds down in late September, spring conditions set in, softening the snow and bringing perfect sweatshirt-and-sunglasses skiing weather.

With more snow in the forecast through August, conditions are expected to remain excellent well into the heart of the season. After receiving over 20 inches in the past week and with more on its way, conditions are at their peak for a summer trip to Valle Nevado.

• Related: Valle Nevado, Chile, is the Best Southern Hemisphere Option This Summer for American Skiers

Many ticket packages at Valle Nevado offer access to interconnected skiing at the nearby La Parva. La Parva adds 1,650 additional skiable acres, bringing the network to a total of around 4,000 acres of skiable terrain. For reference, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers 2,500 acres of in-bounds skiable terrain, giving the Valle Nevado-La Parva network the edge. Like Valle Nevado, La Parva offers prime above-tree-line skiing and a variety of terrain for all levels.

By itself, Valle Nevado is already huge. But add La Parva into the mix, and skiers get to experience one of South America’s largest interconnected skiing networks during prime-time conditions.

A large advantage of staying at Valle Nevado is its numerous lodging packages. Depending on where you stay, packages include lift tickets, breakfast, and dinner. Hotel guests also receive access to the interconnected Valle Nevado and La Parva lift network, allowing them to ski both interconnected resorts.

Guests staying at Hotel Valle Nevado, Hotel Puerta del Sol, and Hotel Tres Puntas have breakfast and dinner included in their accommodation packages. Travelers looking for more flexibility should consider the Aconcagua Ski Residences, which feature fully equipped kitchens, concierge service, a fitness center, and breakfast included. Dinner is not included with stays at Aconcagua Ski Residences. Guests who prefer preparing their own meals or choosing from several convenient dining options throughout the resort. Guests have several dining alternatives:

• Preparing meals in their fully equipped residence.
• Ordering groceries online and coordinating delivery.
• Purchasing ready-made gourmet meals from the Fork machine.
• Booking à la carte dinners at the hotel restaurants through the concierge.
• Purchasing dinner packages at El Montañés, Valle Lounge, or La Leñera.
• Booking a private chef experience directly in their residence.

Skiers have a couple of pass options for accessing Valle Nevado. One of them is the popular IKON Pass, which includes dozens of popular resorts across the world like Mammoth Mountain, Jackson Hole, and Aspen Snowmass. With the IKON Pass, skiers can enjoy seven days of skiing at Valle Nevado with no blackout dates. IKON Pass holders also receive some convenient benefits, such as a 25% discount on lift tickets for family and friends, as well as up to 15% in discounts on food and retail.

Another top option is the Power Pass. Both the Power Pass and Power Pass Select offer 10 interconnected days at Valle Nevado and La Parva with no blackout dates. The Power Kids Pass and Super Senior Pass both offer unlimited ski access to the two resorts. Like the IKON Pass, the Power Pass also offers discounts on lift tickets, food, and retail, as well as 10% off rental and lesson products.

• Flights: Most flights from North America will fly into Santiago International Airport in the Chilean capital of Santiago, located about 90 minutes from Valle Nevado. Direct flights run most often from major international hubs like Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, with other cities offering flights with layovers through the major international hubs. Popular carriers like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines typically offer the lowest baseline fares to Santiago.
• Lodging: Hotel Valle Nevado, Hotel Puerta del Sol, and Hotel Tres Puntas offer a ski-in, ski-out experience with both breakfast and dinner included in lodging packages. Guests have other options, like the Aconcagua Ski Residences, which offer concierge services, as well as a gym and kitchen.
• Transfers: After landing at Santiago International, travelers can choose between private and shared transportation services for the trip to Valle Nevado. The resort recommends private shuttles, like CTS Turismo and Ski Total, which pick up skiers at the airport and take them directly to their lodging accommodations at the mountain.
• Equipment: Skiers can bring their own gear or can choose to rent gear at the resort. Both the IKON Pass and Power Pass offer discounts for equipment rentals, and rental options are available for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. With snowfall expected to come throughout August, skiers will need typical snow gear like jackets, snowpants, gloves, and mittens.

While there are still months between now and the start of the North American ski season, skiers can still ditch the summer heat for a trip to ski in South America at Valle Nevado. With deep snow, nearly the entire mountain open, and convenient lodging packages still available, August and September remain among the best times to experience Valle Nevado. If you’ve been thinking about skiing the Andes this summer, there’s still plenty of time to make it happen.