While the rest of North America is sweltering in the summer heat, you could be enjoying cool Andean air and nabbing refreshing face shots. The South America winter, which is opposite of North America's, provides the opportunity for year-round skiing and unique cultural side trips. Ski Country in South America can be found in the high peaks of the Chilean and Argentine Andes Mountains.
Offering breathtaking views, the Andes are the second highest mountain range on the planet and some peaks rise well over 20,000 feet. Thanks to the high elevation, snow conditions at the ski resorts are typically awesome and most resorts boast 300-plus inches of snow annually. Generally, South America resorts are situated well above treeline, so there's no shortage of see-forever views and terrain for arching big turns. The accommodation experience at South American ski resorts is often akin to being on a cruise ship in the mountains, meaning that all-inclusive options are prevalent.
If there’s a grandfather of South American skiing, Portillo’s it. Skiing came to the area as early as 1890, and Portillo served as host to the 1966 World Championships for alpine racing. Portillo’s very low humidity combined with a 9,350-foot base altitude assures an ideal climate for producing legendary dry snow. Those in search of unbeatable views will love the resort’s setting next to the breathtaking Inca Lake, its moon-like landscape of rock and snow and its close proximity to the Western Hemisphere’s tallest mountain, Aconcagua.
5-star lodging
Pricing starting at $3,050 (low season rates, per person)
1-star lodging
Pricing starting at $1,550 (low season rates, per person)
5-star lodging
Pricing starting at $1,743 (low season rates, per person)
1-star lodging
Pricing starting at $1,550 (low season rates, per person)
Located in the heart of the Chilean Andes, Valle Nevado ski resort is the largest winter resort in the Southern Hemisphere and is one of the most modern in Chile. Nestled in a wonderful natural setting, Valle Nevado offers more than 34 square miles of skiable terrain. Valle Nevado is famous for powder skiing, thanks to its high elevation, and phenomenal views of the Andes mountain range. With a new lift connecting Valle Nevado to La Parva and El Colorado, Valle is now part of Chile’s Tres Valles ski area. One lift ticket accesses all three resorts' combined 7,000 acres for a reasonable price.
2-star lodging
Pricing starting at $3,129 (low season rates, per person)
2.5-star lodging
Pricing starting at $4,207 (low season, per person)
2-star lodging
Pricing starting at $1,664 (low season, per person)
2.5-star lodging
Pricing starting at $1,432 (low season, per person)
Whether you’re skiing at Valle Nevado or Portillo this summer, you’re going to be traveling through Chile’s bustling, colorful capital: Santiago. An interesting city that dates back to 1541, Santiago is a mixing pot of indigenous, Old World Spanish and contemporary cultures. Both seasoned globetrotters and first-time international travelers will find that Santiago and the nearby coastal cities provide an endless—yet easy to access—list of unique cultural attractions and experiences. Set aside at least two days to explore the capital city, wineries and coastal areas.
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