Valle Nevado is Chile's largest and most internationally known ski resort, and the one with the most hotel infrastructure right on the mountain -something uncommon among Chilean resorts, where it's more typical to stay in Santiago and drive up for the day.
The ski domain
Together with El Colorado and La Parva, Valle Nevado is part of the "Tres Valles" pass, which lets you ski all three resorts on a single ticket, adding up to a wide ski domain with beginner runs, intermediate terrain, and steep sectors for advanced skiers.
Staying on the mountain vs. driving up from Santiago
Unlike other resorts near Santiago, Valle Nevado has its own hotels within the complex, allowing several days of skiing in a row without heading back down to the city. For those who prefer a single-day plan, it's also common to drive up from Santiago in the morning and back down in the afternoon, since the road from the capital is almost entirely paved.
Access to the mountain is via a mountain road with sharp curves; on snowy days authorities require snow chains, which can be rented at the shops at the base of the access road.
