Nevados de Chillán

Take your South American ski experience to the next level by skiing on the flanks of three active volcanoes in the central Andes region of Chile. After skiing the longest run in all of South America, Las Tres Marías, an 8-mile-long slope, head off-piste for unique natural features like bowls, gullies and halfpipes made from volcanic eruptions and lava river flows. Unlike other ski resorts further north in Chile, Nevados de Chillán’s forest surroundings provide epic tree skiing when visibility and conditions are mediocre elsewhere on the mountain. When your legs feel like they can’t handle another turn, head to the thermal pools littered throughout the resort for a hot, volcanic soak. Considered one of the least-populated resorts in Chile, you’ll hardly have to fight for a spot on the slopes or in the pools.

Details

Skiable Acres:

1,223

Runs:

27

Vertical Drop:

2,300 feet

Distance To Airport:

107 miles

Website:

nevadosdechillan.com

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How To Get There

There are two ways to get to Nevados de Chillán once you fly into Santiago. The first option is to take a one-hour domestic flight from Santiago to Concepción Airport (CCP). From there, you can either take a scheduled bus or get a private ride for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to the resort. If that seems like a lot of transfers, you can also take a train or bus–both about five and a half hours–from Santiago to Chillán, where a shuttle will then take you to the resort. Renting a car is also an option if you prefer to drive yourself the 304 miles.

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Where To Stay

Nevados de Chillán is split into three main hubs, the first being about a quarter of the way up the mountain where ski-in/ski-out Hotel Alto Nevados sits on the slopes. Ideal for couples or groups of two, Hotel Alto Nevados offers two twin bed rooms or king bed rooms, and a full-board package includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine with dinner, one lift pass per night per person and access to the thermal pools. The next hub sits just a mile down the road at the Gran Hotel, considered the best hotel at the resort for its location on the mountain–truly ski-in/ski-out–and the various room offerings for different sized groups. Two meals from the hotel’s Shangri-La Restaurant are included each day. Near the bottom of the resort sits Hotel Nevados de Chillán, just minutes from the ski lifts, this hotel offers single, double and quadruple rooms as well as four interconnecting rooms for larger groups and families. The hotel has its own bar and restaurant to indulge in traditional Chilean food, wine, and other international cuisine. If you’re looking for something more affordable, the town of Las Trancas–four miles from the resort–is home to a handful of hotels, condos and the Roca Negra Lodge.

Travel Tips From The Pros:

Get used to staying up a bit later than normal. Dinner in South America is often served late and after dinner there is often some drinks at the bar to get warmed up before the disco opens for the night. Dancing until 3:00 am and hitting first chair takes a bit of pacing oneself.

— Sven Brunso

Where To Ski

While inbounds at Nevados de Chillan is better suited to intermediate skiers, the surrounding backcountry is some of the best and longest terrain in the Andes, including the Shangri-La and Pirrigallo chutes. The Bajada Las Tres Marias run is 8.1 miles long and drops a whopping 3,609 vertical feet. Have you been doing your squats? Note: If you plan on skiing off-piste, be sure to have the proper safety equipment, knowledge and a partner.

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Where To Eat

Even if you’re not staying at the Gran Hotel, the Shangri-La Restaurant is considered one of the resort’s best for breakfast, lunch and dinner, although if you plan on going out for a nice evening, be sure to look up the dress code. If you’re looking for something a little less formal for dinner, Restaurante Andino offers delicious fondue, grilled meats, pizzas and pastas in a more relaxed, family-friendly environment.

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Nightlife

The bars within the Gran Hotel and Hotel Alto Nevados are your best bet for a tasty pisco sour after a full day on the slopes but if you’re wanting a place to boogie into the wee hours of the morning, we recommend heading to the town of Las Trancas and hitting up Snow Pub for a classic Chilean discotheque experience.