Valle Nevado Ski Resort, Chile – 30 Years of Good Food, Fine Wine and Blower Pow

[sponsored by Valle Nevado]

It’s been 30 years since Valle Nevado Ski Resort opened its doors. One of the more iconic resorts in the world, Valle Nevado sits nestled in the Andean Mountains in some of the most spectacular terrain in the Southern Hemisphere. The season down south is just around the corner so after you get your fill of spring corn, get ready for something special this year in Chile.

But first, let’s talk about the snow. The base of the mountain sits at 9300 feet, topping out at just over 12,000 (with a 15,000ft peak just beyond its boundary), Valle Nevado has something a lot of other resorts down south don’t offer: consistency. It stays cold up high so when it snows, it’s dry and blower for days. Crowds are different here, with nothing like what you see at a Squaw Valley or a Whistler Blackcomb, but what’s on offer is absolutely mind blowing. Big mountain terrain abounds, with rowdy lines all over the place and a healthy selection of high speed groomers in between.

It’s modern, too, with a good, solid lift infrastructure and on hill services to rival any big North American Resort. Currently, Valle Nevado is well into a master plan that will see massive improvements over the next few years. The resort has been renovating its public spaces, including new interiors for the resort’s bars, terraces and Monte Bianco restaurant. The resort’s on-mountain restaurant, Bajo Cero, will expand this year to offer a second restaurant serving Chilean comfort food.

The food here is fantastic, and there’s even a Gastronomy Festival Aug 3-10. The dining experience would be incomplete, though, without one of Chile’s most famous exports – it’s wine. During the winter months, there is a wine festival at the resort from August 17-24 and this year will see even bigger celebrations with the 30th anniversary.

Valle Nevado also has a heliski operation, with some 20,000 acres of terrain beyond the boundary for those looking to go a little further and a little deeper. The heliskiing is off the hook, with laps well over 5000ft in length so bring your ski legs ’cause the days can be massive.

There’s a reason professional ski and snowboard teams choose Valle Nevado over most other resorts in South America to come and train each summer. Nowhere can match the consistency in snowfall and temperatures. I’m sure the food, wine and accommodations have something to do with it as well. Teams from Austria, the US, Canada, Norway, Russia and Italy come every year to train, shred and get ready for their winter seasons of competition. It’s not uncommon to smash laps on a pow day with the best skiers and riders in the world.

But maybe what we like most about Valle Nevado is the vibe. Maybe it’s the Chilean hospitality or the love and passion of good living and epic snow, the vibe down here is chill, relaxed and has that zest for treating every day like it’s your last. It’s a fun place and coming down here is something you’ll never forget.

For the 30th anniversary, Valle Nevado has aligned with Explora Adventure Hotels, South America’s foremost luxury hotel tour operator, to offer a 30% discount on all-inclusive packages with a minimum 3 nights’ stay at both Valle Nevado and one other Explora property (Atacama, Easter Island, or the Sacred Valley, Peru). Rates for luxury lodging, gourmet dining, Valle Nevado lift tickets and Explora daily excursions, start at USD $1,986 per person, for 6 total nights. It’s the ultimate in luxury and adventure and deals like this simply don’t exist up here.

So this summer, think about heading south for a little slice of winter. Chile is absolutely breathtaking and shredding laps in the Andes, some of the largest and most majestic mountains on earth, is something truly special. Couple that with good food, luxury accommodations and fantastic Chilean wine and you have all the ingredients for the snow holiday of a lifetime.