Valle Nevado, Chile

Visitor reviews for Valle Nevado

• September 28, 2008
  Jose Henrique Muller from BRAZIL
  

  We've spent a week in Valle Nevado, on August, for our ninth time there...
  Well, the hotels are worst each year. The employees are very tired (work a lot) and can't help us as they should...
  The snow is great, the ski options are increasing each year (Heliski...) and is a good place to travel for a week of adventure!
  Of course there are some inconveniences, but go any way...
  You'll enjoy it very much, if you try to be more positive about...

• September 02, 2008
  Joel Zipp from UNITED STATES
  

  Just finished a week of skiing (8/22-8/29). The snow conditions were wonderful and we enjoyed mostly warm days (40s F). We were the beneficiaries of a 4-4.5 foot dump the previous week and the road was closed for 3 days. No lift lines. No trees. Not difficult. The backside of the area is the best and most beautiful part, but only Pomma lifts which can be difficult on your knees. We did have a whiteout for a day but rested that day anyway so it worked fine. No moguls unfortunately...probably because too few skiers!

  Accommodations at the Valle Nevado Hotel were disappointing at best for what we paid. It is not a 5-star hotel. More likely a 2 star hotel. Food quality at the resort varied, the best being at La Forchette and the Trattoria. The Swedish restaurant was horrible and they only had 2 menus. They should be ashamed of the place. Some of the staff at our hotel were good and cared or at least tried. Others were out-right anti-American. The hotel is falling apart so next time for us would be to stay at the adjacent ski area - La Parva and rent a room from one of the condo owners (see below).

  The people, particularly the boarders at Valle Nevado can be rude (confirmed to us by a native Chilean).

  We skied at La Parva one day (accessible from Valle Nevado). Very nice and nice town also. Nicer people, better quality skier than Valle Nevado.

• November 27, 2006
  Ron A from UNITED STATES
  

  Spent one week beginning Sept 10 at the Puerta del Sol hotel at Valle Nevado. The rooms were very comfortable and modern. The mountain is entirely above tree line, which sounds great at first but trails with some trees sound pretty good after skiing in two days of white out caused by fog. (trees improve visibility in white outs) The mountain is almost entirely blue runs with some slightly more challenging runs on the back side which is serviced by POMA only.

  The views were incredibly beautiful. The Andes reminded me of the Canadian Rockies or even Mount Blanc in Europe. The drive up the mountain has 64 switch backs so if you are prone to car sickness - get ready!

  Come prepared because there are no convenience stores on the mountain for toiletries, pharmaceutical items, adult beverages etc. If you drink, I suggest you bring some with you (buy in Santiago on the way up) because you can't buy it on the mountain other than at the bars/restaurants. A beer ranges from US $4-$7 on the mountain. Lastly, there was no clock radio in the room and no wake up calls.

  The food was very good. Best quality and "presentation" was at the French restaurant. We enjoyed the Chilean restaurant for the sheer variety of items on the buffet. Offered varieties of fish, beef pork, lamb, empanadas, fruits and vegetables of every kinds and huge variety of eye catching deserts.

  I found that a few people spoke good English but much less so than resorts in Europe or even the popular Mexican beach resorts. My experience with the entire staff was wonderful. They are eager to help and very friendly.

  Other comments: Internet was $4 for 30 minutes.

  Look into a private taxi transfer from the airport if you are in a group. The hotel price is a little expensive per person. We paid $222 for a private van for 6 people ($37 each). You'll have to search that on your own since the rules prohibit me sharing where I found it.

• October 23, 2006
  Richard www.Snoventures.com from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I think it's sad that some people hasve nothing to do but criticise and slander without knowing the facts(John Smithfield from UNITED KINGDOM).
  It's widely known that there are lawsuits against ski resorts and the associated companies extremely frequently.
  I have first hand knowledge of situation where the girl who went missing was found and the resort are absolutely blameless. Which other beginner skier /snowboarder would set off on the snow after a row with her boyfriend at 3am???

  This resort is excellent gets great snow and is one of the best, although not the best in South America.
  If you know the mountain there is something for every level of skier/snowboarder.
  It snows regularly here and the mountian has lots to offer.

• September 11, 2006
  charles from CANADA
  

  If you want to ski hard pack cement like trails go ahead. Went to Chile for one month spent ten days at La Parva and Valle Nevado. Skied day in day out hoping for snow that came only the last day. A local guy told me that it snows about five time a year. Valle Nevado is too expensive, prefered by far Termas de Chillan. By the way, never buy these all inclusive ski packages for one week. Travel around. Stay in a country longer and you have a better chance of skiing in conditions you always dreamed about.

• September 06, 2006
  Thomas Arnold from UNITED STATES
  

  Just returned from our second trip to VN. Not as much snow as 2005 but still fine skiing. The grooming is excellent so even the hardpack was fun. We did receive 8 inches of new snow the last night so we managed to get in a few hours of powder before leaving.
  The staff are super-friendly and anxious to please. They tolerated my broken Spanish and seemed grateful that I was trying. Food is plentiful and good although lunch on the mountain is pricey. The drinking water is excellent so we didn't waste our money on bottled water. Money is better spent on the fine wines and caipirinhas!
  I love this resort; however, you can't be adverse to riding the poma lifts (drag lifts) on the backside or you might end up a little bored. The area caters to the solid intermediate skier as there is a small beginner area for novices and true experts will find little to challenge them substantially. Moguls and serious steeps are not plentiful.
  The "all-inclusive" weekly plan (room, 2 meals daily, lift tickets, free group ski lessons) is very reasonable for US and European skiers. We will definitely be back.

• June 30, 2006
  Alexandra from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I'm sorry John (Smithfield) does not seem to have a good experience of Valle Nevado. I'd love to know what ski resort does NOT get sued, considering that skiing is in itself a risky sport. The trails at Valle Nevado are as safe as they can be without being exaggerated, and offer something for every level of skiing. It is a word-class resort, people come from all over the world to enjoy the slopes and leave delighted, vowing to return. I know every time I and my friends go, we have fantastic weather, gorgeous views, fun slopes and a great time.

• May 06, 2006
  Thomas Arnold from UNITED STATES
  

  We skied VN 3-10 Sept 2005. Snow was exceptional! We received several feet during the week. Grooming is excellent; runs have tremendous variety. However, nothing too difficult for the die-hards. Good intermediate skiers can ski the whole mountain with no problem.

  We (two of us) skied to La Parva twice during the week. LP is a beautiful area with interesting rock formations and well-groomed, long runs. Again, nothing difficult but you can really move on the cruisers! The mid-way restaurant "3100" has great food and a wonderful deck. We did not go into the town of La Parva. Getting back to VN is easy but a long way. Allow plenty of time. The upper lifts at VN close at 4:00 PM (16:00).

  Back to VN - food is excellent in all the restaurants; staff are friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back. I've skied all over western USA, Whistler, California and Switzerland. VN is easily as good as, and better than, most any other ski area I've been. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

• January 23, 2006
  Claudio from ANDORRA
  

  Valle Nevado and the three valleys around there are the best place to ski in the south hemisphere, period. The height, dry climate and placed at the Pacific ocean side of the Andes mountains make Valle Nevado the better place to ski with very good powder snow along the entire season.

• October 17, 2005
  John Smithfield from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  This resort is not safe. They are currently being sued from left and right.

  http://teletrece.canal13.cl/t13/html/Noticias/Chile/232564.html

  http://teletrece.canal13.cl/t13/html/Noticias/Chile/236097Ivideoq1.html

• September 08, 2005
  Quique from SPAIN
  

  Just spent 8 days skiing around the area, covering the three resorts El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. The latter happened to be the best one, just because it was the highest one and had a bit more snow than the others. La Parva also had some nice slopes and a cool mountain top bar, though Valle Nevado had some interesting red-black slopes on the right side of the resort covered with fresh snow that misteriously would not become white mud even if skiing at nearly 15 celsius, probably because of the height and the dry climate around the area.
  Almost no locals skiing during the week at Valle Nevado, only a bunch of brazileans that were all hosted in the only couple of hotels at the resort base. In summary, I spent 4 of the 8 days skiing in Valle Nevado, it was the best of the three resorts.

• 
  LECHU from ARGENTINA
  

  Cosas a favor:

  Excelentes pistas y "off piste", buenos medios de elevación, excelente nieve, excelente comida.-

  Cosas en contra:

  Mala atención, mucha desorganización, la altura (todo el día te duele la cabeza y no te da hambre - ES HORRIBLE ESTAR TAN ALTO, PRECIOS MUY CAROS.-

  En fin, se recomienda probarlo. Las condiciones de Ski son inmejorables. Igual antes que probar acá probaría con Las Leñas que es similar, tiene los mismos problemas pero está más bajo y es más barato.-

• 
  Thomas Arnold from UNITED STATES
  

  Returned yesterday from my third trip to VN. Yes, it's getting more expensive but still much cheaper than the premium US resorts. The grooming was great...runs were smooth and wide. They've even added a few runs along with a new pomma that connects the lower Prado lift to the Andes Express, bypassing the slower Mirador chair. They've brought back a great breakfast buffet at La Fourcette d'Or which was lacking last year. We didn't care for the new Don Giovanni restaurant but the renamed Meson Chilano, now "Sur" is always good. Their fast food (Slalom, Bajo Zero) is really overpriced. We ate a big breakfast, light for lunch and a big dinner.

  All the staff are nice and eager to please. A few words of Spanish helps make a good impression and the staff really warms up....big smiles and a friendly attitude. Even the pomma lift operators will joke with you if you take the time to acknowledge them.

  Take the trip to La Parva if the road is open (ski there). Another beautiful resort with a good variety of runs...very well maintained also. Nice selection of restaurants. The scenery at La Parva is just beautiful. Even saw a condor.
  Many international race teams train here. Fun to watch.

  I love Chile and look forward to returning every year.

  Cheers!