Summertime Skiing in Chile
The Andes Mountains
As summer arrives and the heat becomes intense in North America, you might consider a refreshing ski vacation. That's right, skiing in summer! Here in the Bay Area, we are only a day's travel from some of the best snow skiing in the Southern Hemisphere. After a ten-hour flight from Oakland, CA, you'll arrive in Santiago, Chile. From there, a scenic two-hour drive into the cold and refreshing air of the Andes Mountains will lead you to the Puerta Del Sol hotel, nestled within the fabulous Valle Nevado ski resort and cradled by majestic peaks.
Okay, the trip will take a bit longer than a drive to Lake Tahoe, but how often do you get to experience one of the world's great mountain ranges? The Andes stretch over 7,000 km (4,300 mi) in length, range from 200 km (120 mi) to 700 km (430 mi) in width, and boast an average height of about 4,000 m (13,000 ft). The highest peak, Aconcagua, soars to an impressive 6,962 m (22,840 ft) above sea level.
The locals are incredibly friendly and helpful, and importantly, they are very patient with those who don't speak Spanish. The hotel, without being overly extravagant, provides everything you need, from multiple restaurants to internet access.
Lots of powder snow
Organizing this vacation is relatively easy. Simply use the LAN website to book your flights and the Chile-Ski website for your accommodation.
Then there is the skiing. Valle Nevado is an amazing place. The Andes Mountains surround you, immersing you in a world of snow-capped peaks. And the frequent powder snowfalls can transform the area into a skiing nirvana. For an extra thrill, you can even try heli-skiing with the company Eurocopter-Helibras, which can take you to altitudes of over 14,760 feet for descents of up to 1.2 miles on pristine, untouched snow.
When you tire of the summer heat and seek a refreshing escape, perhaps this is the perfect vacation for you.
A video of Valle Nevado
For more info:
Valle Nevado Ski Resort
LAN Airlines
Andes Mountain Range
Puerta Del Sol Hotel
Valle Nevado weather forecast