Central Andes · Winter
Valle Nevado & Portillo
Ten days of resort skiing in Chile's Central Andes: three full days at Valle Nevado and four at Hotel Portillo, with a private bilingual guide.
10 days · Guided · All levels
33°27′S 70°40′WSantiagoChile
Santiago · Valle Nevado · Portillo
Central Andes: our winter home
Resort skiing, backcountry days and heli-skiing near Santiago in winter, and Cerro El Plomo once the snow melts.
Central Andes at a glance
The Central Andes rise right behind Santiago, and they are our winter home. From June to September we ski El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado, about an hour from the city, and Portillo, about 2 hours away near the border with Argentina. The same mountains hold our backcountry days in Tres Valles and the Cajón del Maipo, and heli-skiing from July to September.
When the snow melts, the high summits open up. From September to March we climb Cerro El Plomo (5,424 m) in three days from Valle Nevado, with a base camp at 4,100 m and mules carrying the heavy gear.
- Getting there
- Fly to Santiago (SCL)
- Distances
- Tres Valles about an hour from Santiago, Portillo about 2 hours
- Best for
- Skiing, backcountry, Cerro El Plomo
- Seasons
- Ski Jun–Sep · El Plomo Sep–Mar
When to go to the Central Andes
Hours of daylight · 33° S (Santiago)
Our trips in the Central Andes
Central Andes · Winter
Tres Valles Backcountry
Three days of guided ski touring from El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado, about an hour from Santiago, with avalanche safety gear included.
3 days · Guided · Intermediate–Advanced ski touring
Central Andes · Winter
Tres Valles Resort Ski Tour
Ski El Colorado, Valle Nevado and La Parva in three days, one resort per day, on-piste with a bilingual guide, lift passes and transfers from Santiago.
3 days · Guided · All levels
Short on time? Heli-Skiing in the Andes, Cerro El Plomo Ascent and Backcountry Ski Touring in Cajón del Maipo.
Plan your Central Andes trip with us
Tell us your dates and how you like to travel. Our team will reply within one business day.
Central Andes questions
Valle Nevado is about 71 km (44 miles) from Santiago's international airport. Portillo is about 2 hours from Santiago by highway, near the border with Argentina. All transfers are private and included.
Valle Nevado sits at 3,025 m and Portillo's hotel at 2,800 m. The itinerary gives you a free afternoon on day 2 to acclimatize before your first full ski day. If you have concerns about altitude, check with your doctor before traveling.
Yes. It's designed for all levels and always stays on-piste. Ski lessons are optional and can be added.
We run heli-skiing in winter, from July to September.
We run this ascent in spring and summer, from September to March. Even in summer, expect sub-zero temperatures and strong wind on summit day, and weather that changes quickly.
You need to be fit and ready for a long, sustained effort at altitude. The route crosses a section of the Iver glacier, and crampons are provided as part of the group gear when conditions call for them. If you have not been above 4,000 m before, plan an acclimatization hike before the trip.