 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi has anyone skied Valle Nevado Chile?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yes skiied there last summer for four days. Purpose built resort so not terribly pretty but well organised pistes, pretty good lift system and OK hotels and restaurants. Apres ski doesn't give Verbier much to worry about, but then you can't ski down the side of a volcano in Verbier either. Drive up from Santiago is pretty interesting as well VERY winding road that has about 80 switchbacks on it.
Not sure I'd go there again just to ski - I understand Portillo has far better and more varied terrain - but if you are in that part of the world and want to experience a few days of southern hemisphere skiing then I would definitely recommend it. I'll try and dig out some of our photos and post them
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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b.dudman, I have skied it many times - it is part of the three valleys of Chile and an area I would highly recommend - far more terrain than Portillo although that is also worth a visit if you have the time and are going that far. From Valle Nevado you can ski El Colorado and La Parva. La Parva is my favourite and has some very challenging off piste including a couloir called La Chimenea (The Chimney). There are good self catering apartments there and an excellent fondue restaurant called La Marmita de Pericles. Worth going via Buenos Aires for a bit of culture and a tango or two. Santiago is a great city and you can also visit one of the Chilean vineyards. Avoid July which is school holidays but August/September will be quiet and you will find many of the international teams training.
Another resort worth considering is Termas de Chillan - an hour's flight from Santiago. Am tempted to go back this summer.......the air fare is the most expensive part of the trip by far. Will try and post some pix.
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Termas de Chillan is great. Lots of Americans ski down there.
Accomodation on the Hill at Valle Nevado is very expensive. I stayed down in Santiago and commuted up but you can get caught out in a storm (road closures)
Portillio , over rated but worth a visit if you have to .
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I am looking for 4-6 weeks this summer and its either Chile or NZ. The three valleys in Chile seems to be more like a European resort but does anyone know where the better skiing/snow is?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I always wait until there is a good base before booking - it is a long and expensive way to go if it is a poor snow year which can happen. The 3 valleys in Chile are NOT at all like Europe - if you go August/September there is no one around, you can ski what you can see, there are virtually no moguls as not enough people to create them! Runs are long, all above treeline and scenery is very impressive not to mention the brilliant sunsets caused by the pollution above Santiago. Have not been to NZ but am told they have good heliskiing. Also no language problem there. You need to speak some Spanish in Chile. Cheap place to stay is Farellones which is the original Chilean ski resort and is linked to the 3 valleys system.
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| skilegs wrote: |
| I always wait until there is a good base before booking . |
Best advice, one I always take whereever I go.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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b.dudman, depending on your skiing level if you are going for 4-6 weeks purely skiing I think you might find the Three Valleys a bit restricted. We skiied for four days and covered most of the area. You can always go heliskiing but I would think that after two weeks you'll be pretty bored. If you are in that part of the world for that length of time then I'd be looking at a tour round - Portillo, Las Lenas and so on. If you are also planning to visit other areas in Chile then do not miss the Atacama desert. I would heartily recommend the Explora hotel there as well
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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