A Ski Day in Tres Valles, Chile
*5 minutes reading
All you need to know to enjoy this huge ski area. General Information, Dining Spots, and Off-Piste Tips
Hey there! As a local who loves both skiing and après-ski, let me give you the lowdown on Tres Valles, Chile. Just 45 to 60 minutes from Santiago, the capital of Chile, you'll find the largest ski area in the southern hemisphere. An unforgettable experience awaits!
Hitting the slopes at La Parva, El Colorado, or Valle Nevado is a feast of emotions. The mountain road winds its way up dramatically yet safely through landscapes dotted with cactus and native flora. A must-see is a cactus covered in snow—a unique sight in the ski world. As you ascend, the views of the sprawling city surrounded by towering mountains unfold before you. The majestic Andes, with peaks over 5000 meters high, rise just 30 minutes from the city, rivaling the tallest summits of Europe, Alaska, or Antarctica.
The route passes through Yerba Loca Park, a glacial valley that connects to the impressive ice wall of the La Paloma Glacier. Its ice gleams with bluish hues or is draped with a white veil of powder snow, which billows in the wind. Andes Explora offers one- and two-day snowshoeing tours in this stunning Andean setting. Click here for more information about snowshoeing trips in Yerba Loca Park
Further along, the road connects to Downhill and Enduro Mountain Bike trails, promising one of the world's steepest descents in the summer. La Parva ski resort opens its lifts in summer for bike ascents up to nearly 4,000 meters. From there, various trails of different difficulties allow for descents to the base of the resort, about a thousand meters below. The trail continues downward towards Yerba Loca Park or to the road's base, delivering an impressive drop of almost 3,000 meters.
About 20 minutes after crossing the lower part of the bike trail, the road arrives at Farellones, the oldest village in the area, built in the 1930s with stone and wooden houses. From here, you can head to Valle Nevado Ski Resort (about 30 minutes away) or continue to La Parva or El Colorado (just 10 or 15 minutes away).
In Tres Valles, the ski season typically runs from early June to mid-October in good years, and from early July to mid-September in dry seasons. The coastal mountain range of central Chile blocks Pacific moisture, delivering low-temperature storms that result in dry, light snow, perfect for backcountry skiing. All ski resorts offer heli-skiing in the stunning Parraguirre sector. Andes Explora can arrange this service, including private transportation from Santiago or the airport, accommodation, equipment rental, and snacks.
All the ski resorts have different levels of pistes, ranging from super easy to double black diamond. Mountain Capital Partners (MCP), one of the biggest ski companies in the world, has bought two of the three ski resorts (La Parva and Valle Nevado) and is now eyeing El Colorado and Farellones. If that happens, you’ll be able to ski the entire area with just one pass—or maybe even use your Epic Pass to ski around the world.
Where to Eat
La Parva: Try El Montañés and La Marmita de Pericles. On the slopes, the 3.100 Terrace located at 3.100 meters it is a great spot with nice views.
El Colorado: El Mirador restaurant at the base of the ski center offers live music and excellent sunset views over the slopes.
Valle Nevado: La Leñera Bar is cozy and cool.
Après-Ski and Off-Piste Tips
If you're visiting for the day, enjoy après-ski at any of these restaurants with Chilean wine or beer and watch the sunset, which is usually around 6 pm, to avoid downhill traffic. After a heavy snowfall, consider staying overnight and heading up at night to dodge the traffic.
Traffic Timings
Up: 8 am to 1:00 pm
Down: 3 pm to 8 pm
You can hire Andes Explora for private transportation to any ski center. To contact us click here.
Backcountry Tips
If you love backcountry skiing, go with someone who knows the area, like a guide from Andes Explora, to the Santa Teresa zone. Identified by some of the world's best skiers as a world-class spot, Santa Teresa offers a drop of around 800 meters with slopes between 30 and 60 degrees, rocks to jump off, chutes, and a large area to find unmarked spots. This place can be dangerous due to avalanches, so bring your rescue gear. Santa Teresa provides a heli-ski experience without the helicopter, and at the base, you'll find the road leading to Valle Nevado or Farellones, where you can usually hitch a ride quickly. Click here to contact us.
Other Places to Visit
Complement your ski day with other attractions around Santiago. In the Andean foothills, you can enjoy horseback riding on premium horses or take an intense hike to Andes Lookout. Visiting vineyards in any of the amazing wine valleys around the city is also a must.
Click in any of the links below to know more about complementary trips:
Enjoy your ski day in Tres Valles, Chile! You can contact us to help you book any trips, accomodation or services. Write us to contacto@andesexplora.com or by WhatsApp at +56967284439.
Have a great ski trip!
Matias