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MOUNTAIN SCORE

#1 in Argentina

#2 in South America

WRITTEN REVIEW

VIDEO REVIEW

MOUNTAIN STATS

CATEGORY BREAKDOWN 

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Snow:

Resiliency:

Size:

Terrain Diversity:

Challenge:

Lifts:

Crowd Flow:

Facilities:

Navigation:

Mountain Aesthetic:

GOOD TO KNOW

1-Day Ticket: $115,000 ARS ($97 USD)

Pass Affiliation: None

On-site Lodging: Yes

Après-Ski: Extensive

Nearest Cities: Bariloche (30 mins)

Recommended Ability Level:

  +   Pros

• Skiable footprint

• Terrain diversity

• Best lift infrastructure in South America

• Stunning Patagonian views

• Lively local town

  –   Cons

• Chaotic lift lines and loading process

• Variable snow conditions, especially at lower elevations

• Congestion on lower-mountain trails

• Expensive lift tickets for Argentina

MOUNTAIN STATS

Skiable Footprint: 1,693 acres

Total Footprint: 2,965 acres

Lift-Serviced Terrain: 100%

Top Elevation: 7,152 ft

Vertical Drop: 3,380 ft

Lifts: 23

Trails: 59

Beginner: 31%

Intermediate: 44%

Advanced/Expert: 25%

VIDEO REVIEW

Mountain Review

Looking to ski in Argentina this Southern Hemisphere winter? Cerro Catedral might be the first resort that comes to mind. Located in the heart of Patagonia near the iconic lakeside town of Bariloche, Cerro Catedral presents itself as one of Argentina’s biggest and best ski destinations. But does this resort live up to the hype—and is it the right fit for your next South American ski trip?

Mountain Aesthetic

The first thing to note about Cerro Catedral is just how stunning it is. When conditions are clear, the resort’s views are nothing short of breathtaking, offering sweeping vistas of jagged Patagonian rock formations that look like something from a movie. While many of these rock formations are just outside the resort boundary, a few are within the resort itself, and it’s hard not to be blown away when you see them.

But it’s not just the mountains that make Cerro Catedral stand out. The resort is surrounded by massive lakes visible from the upper mountain, creating stunning panoramas that stretch for miles across the Patagonian landscape if you’re in the right place. The contrast between the deep blue lakes and the snow-covered peaks is one that’s hard to find anywhere else on Earth, let alone a place that functions as a ski resort. Ice crystallization on trees and high alpine rocks adds to the unique visual experience as well, and while its most iconic elements aren’t as visible from lower-mountain areas, Cerro Catedral’s unique tree species compared to North American ski resorts make for an exotic feel.

Size and Terrain Layout

With a skiable footprint of approximately 1,700 acres, Cerro Catedral is one of the largest South American ski resorts, although it’s not quite as big as a typical North American or European destination—and certainly not as big as its claimed footprint measurement of 2,965 acres. The resort offers especially diverse terrain for South America, with a mix of below-treeline, high-alpine, and lightly-gladed terrain of various difficulty levels. With a vertical drop of over 3,300 feet, Cerro Catedral offers the longest vertical drop of any Patagonia-region ski resort, although conditions can vary based on elevation. The mountain is effectively divided between lower and upper sections; the below-treeline lower mountain generally offers mellow terrain and some opportunities for off-piste tree skiing when conditions allow, while the above-treeline upper-mountain holds snow better and offers a wider range of terrain in terms of difficulty. The upper mountain also has a higher density of trails than the lower mountain, which can create some interesting congestion conditions near the bottom of the resort.

Beginner Terrain

Cerro Catedral isn’t the best resort in the world for less-experienced skiers and riders, although it does have a few regional strengths worth noting. All the official green-circle trails are concentrated at the base area functioning as a bunny hill complex. On the plus side, this bunny hill area is served by magic carpets and one double chairlift, making it far more accessible than at some South American resorts that only offer platter lifts or T-bars.

That said, progression beyond the bunny hill may seem somewhat intimidating; once you move past these dedicated learning zones, all terrain is rated as intermediate or harder. Cerro Catedral’s blue-rated intermediate runs are somewhat easier than one might expect at a North American mountain, but they’re still a bit harder than many typical greens, which creates a bit of a gap for those who have mastered the bunny hill but aren’t quite ready for full mountain skiing. If you’re not sure which runs are right for progression, it might not be a bad idea to hire an instructor or guide when first venturing higher up the mountain. 

TRAIL MAP

Intermediate Terrain

Speaking of intermediate terrain, guests who make it to this level of skiing and riding will get quite a bit out of Cerro Catedral. The resort’s blue-rated trails span a variety of elevations and mountain areas, but the must-hit blue runs are in the upper mountain, offering incredible views of the surrounding Patagonian mountains and the massive lakes below. When visibility is good, these intermediate trails provide some of the most scenic skiing or riding you’ll find anywhere in South America.

However, the intermediate experience at Cerro Catedral does come with some stipulations. Lower mountain conditions can be highly variable, occasionally leading to trail closures that significantly limit intermediate options. When this happens, intermediates may find themselves needing to download lower-mountain lifts to get back to the base at the end of the day depending on where they are. It’s also worth noting that the intermediate-rated Cascada trail should be avoided at all costs if possible; not only is this is one of the easier blue trails on the mountain, making it popular for progression, but it also offers the only snowmaking of any mid- to lower-mountain trail, resulting in profound congestion under all but the emptiest of days.

Terrain Parks

While not a world-class freestyle destination by any means, Cerro Catedral offers a decent terrain park with a dedicated lift in its upper mountain. The park is home to the typical selection of boxes, rails, and jumps, mainly small-to-medium in nature.

Advanced Terrain

Like most other South American ski resorts, Cerro Catedral designates terrain above its blue level with a red rating. Red trails span the majority of the resort’s mountain areas, and while most reds are groomed, a handful remain ungroomed throughout the season, allowing for a good introduction to mogul runs. One must-hit red trail is the Panoràmica trail from the top of the Nubes lift, with perhaps the best lake view at the entire resort spanning nearly all sides of the trail—and some incredible nearby peaks in the vicinity as well. The resort’s reds are generally easier than blacks at most North American resorts, especially given their consistent grooming, and might be considered as advanced-intermediate for those used to skiing or riding in other countries.

Expert and Off-Piste Terrain

Speaking of blacks, this is the color given to Cerro Catedral’s hardest official runs. On paper, only a handful of these exist, and all of them are fairly short (albeit most of them are left ungroomed).

But after finding the right places at the resort, it becomes clear that Cerro Catedral has some seriously technical terrain outside the official trail boundaries. Like at other South American resorts, everything outside the marked trail posts is considered out-of-bounds, and while they aren’t directly maintained by the resort, these areas are what makes the mountain worth a visit for experts. The best accessible expert-level off-piste terrain is found off the Nubes chair, with a series of narrow, rock-lined chutes that are so steep you might not be able to stop yourself if you fall—and given the rock outcroppings, this means you might find yourself undergoing a rocky collision or falling off a cliff band under said circumstance. Elsewhere at the resort, several other unofficial routes are frequented by resort guests; the more primely-located ones will mogul up, while others can stay untracked for days after the last storm. For those who want true backcountry terrain that’s not directly served by lifts, expert-level chutes, bowls, and cliff bands can be found in the adjacent Zona La Laguna and on the backside of the resort.

For those looking to venture off the marked trails in lower-mountain areas, Cerro Catedral has its fair share of glade terrain as well. While some of these trees are skiable, they are generally less widely spaced than competitors like Chapelco—and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up in glades too thick to ski or ride through and have to backtrack. Also, lower-mountain glades are often very sketchy cover-wise.

Speaking of cover, it’s also worth noting that all trails that are marked as closed are technically considered as backcountry, and while the resort won’t stop you from ducking a rope, you might be facing significant natural obstacles, serious hazards, or unskiable cover. This especially rings true in many lower-mountain circumstances, where a closed-off valley run may look pretty innocent and tempting at the start, but may leave you with completely bare dirt or rocks that require scrambling down before the end.

Finally, it’s important to note that the terrain outside the marked trails is not patrolled for avalanches. If you’re planning to venture into uncontrolled terrain, we highly recommend bringing proper avalanche gear, including a beacon, shovel, and probe. Local guide services are available and highly recommended for those unfamiliar with the area.

Snow Quality and Resiliency

Snow quality at Cerro Catedral is strong for a South America ski resort, with good years bringing over 200 inches from May to September. However, conditions overall can be hit or miss. Snowfall days are more consistent than that of many resorts further north on the continent, but with a base elevation below 4,000 feet—which is several thousand feet lower than those northern competitors—the resort faces exposure to fickle Patagonian weather patterns. When conditions align, typically during colder periods with steady snowfall, the skiing can be excellent, but the resort doesn’t get the consistently light, dry powder you might expect from higher Chilean destinations.

Unlike some resorts with more favorable exposures, Cerro Catedral largely faces east. As a result, freeze-thaw cycles are a constant factor at the resort, and they can dramatically affect snow quality from day to day. One day might offer excellent powder conditions, while the next could be slushy or icy depending on sun exposure and temperature changes.

The lower mountain, in particular, can suffer significantly during warmer periods, sometimes receiving rain instead of snow or experiencing rapid melting that creates challenging skiing conditions. Ice, slush, and variable snow surfaces are common on lower elevation runs, especially during spring conditions or warm weather events. Trail closures on lower sections aren’t uncommon either, and when this happens, guests may need to download certain lifts rather than skiing or riding all the way back to the base area. The resort has some snowmaking capabilities to maintain at least a baseline level of resiliency, but it isn’t necessarily comprehensive enough to guarantee good conditions—or enough available trails to handle congestion—during extended warm or dry periods.

Thanks to the higher elevation, mid- and upper mountain areas generally hold snow better and maintain more consistent conditions throughout the season. However, this part of the resort can see weather-related closures due to wind or storm conditions, and even if lifts remain open, visibility can be tough in upper-mountain areas when it’s snowing.

It’s also worth noting that lift operations at Cerro Catedral typically start closing at 4:00 PM. This is standard if you’re used to skiing at North American resorts, but earlier than many South American destinations, especially those with a latitude closer to the equator.

Navigation

Despite its relative size for Argentina, getting around Cerro Catedral is straightforward for the most part. The resort’s signage is good by South American standards, with clear trail, lift, and restaurant markings. Color-coded boundary sticks along each marked piste help keep you in-bounds, with the colors corresponding to the trail’s ability level and helping to keep you on the appropriate level of run. 

However, there are a few issues. Under flat light conditions, visibility is difficult in upper mountain areas—and since the boundary sticks don’t distinguish between left and right, someone who isn’t careful could find themselves just on the outside of a piste, rather than just on the inside of it. Getting down to the lower mountain can be somewhat frustrating, with some flat catwalking required to make it to the base depending on which run you take.

One notable circumstance to watch out for involves accessing the out-of-base Sextuple Express. If you’re coming directly from the base area, this lift is somewhat hidden, involving walking through a mini-mall and food court, taking an escalator, and walking back outside to the loading area before putting your skis on. Some skiers and riders actually wait until they’re at the loading platform for this lift to put their gear on, which can create congestion and unnecessary delays during busy periods.

At least if you’re already skiing or riding on the mountain, there is a cutoff that allows you to avoid walking through the mall to access this lift. But it’s easy to miss, and if you ski or ride past it, you’ll have to walk through the mall again. 

Lifts

Cerro Catedral boasts what is arguably the best lift system in South America, featuring a gondola and multiple high-speed six-pack chairs that might even be considered competitive by North American standards. This infrastructure represents a significant step up from most competing Argentinian mountains, many of which don’t even offer a single high-speed lift and often rely heavily on surface lifts for multiple parts of the mountain. There are very few platter or T-bar lifts at the resort, and no cases where you are forced to take a surface lift to get to a certain area of terrain. The gondola is on the older side, but it provides comfortable, weather-protected transportation that’s particularly beneficial during stormy conditions or high winds.

But Cerro Catedral is still a South American mountain, and its lift infrastructure isn’t perfect. Several areas are still held down by slow, fixed-grip chairs, especially in upper-mountain or more remote places. It’s also worth noting the resort has some lifts that are just plain weird. One of these might be the first combination double/quad chairlift we’ve ever seen, with half of the chairs seating two people and the other half seating four. Even more confusing is that the lifties only seat the quad chairs at the base station; the lift has a mid-station, and you have to load there to get on one of the double carriers.

The resort also has an aerial tram, and at a first glance, it might seem pretty useful for getting from the base to the upper mountain. But don’t make the mistake of walking over there with your equipment, because this lift is for sightseers only, and the resort won’t let you bring your skis or board on.

Crowd Flow

Despite the impressive lift infrastructure by South American standards, crowding can be a significant issue at Cerro Catedral, especially during the peak Argentinian periods of July through mid-August. The high-speed Nubes chair is an especially bad chokepoint; this lift provides the only access to some of the resort’s best expert terrain and offers the only high-speed lift service to the upper mountain. On this chair in particular, guests can expect to wait awhile on all but the emptiest of days. While the slower helper lifts usually fare better in this respect, if one or more of the main lifts goes down due to wind holds, these get jam-packed too—and often lack the capacity to handle the demand.

It’s also worth noting that unlike North American resorts, where guests usually form orderly queues and organize themselves into groups matching chair capacity, the loading process at Catedral is often chaotic. People stepping on your equipment while jockeying for position in line is unfortunately common, and the lack of clearly defined queuing areas contributes to the confusion. The resort does offer a “Preferencial” fast tracks system if you want to pay extra to skip the regular lines, but this does cost quite a bit extra, and you will be judged for using it.

RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR CERRO CATEDRAL

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On-Mountain Facilities

On-mountain facilities at Cerro Catedral are well-developed compared to many South American ski destinations, with the resort offering multiple dining and rest options throughout the mountain. The base area feels more like a traditional ski village than what you’d find at many South American resorts, with a variety of restaurants, cafes, and services that cater to different budgets and preferences.

The facilities range from casual grab-and-go areas to more upscale restaurants, with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating available. Food quality is generally good, though prices can be expensive compared to dining options in Bariloche proper—although they aren’t as exploitative as some competing mountains elsewhere in the country.

Pass Partnerships

Unlike some resorts in neighboring Chile that have established partnerships with North American mega-passes like Ikon, Mountain Collective, or Indy, Cerro Catedral operates independently when it comes to lift tickets and season passes. There are currently no partnerships with multi-resort passes, meaning international visitors will need to purchase tickets directly from the resort or authorized retailers. And it’s probably a good thing this is the case, because we’d argue Cerro Catedral doesn’t need any additional crowds on top of what it currently has.

Army Presence

Cerro Catedral has some interesting cultural and operational quirks that set it apart from other ski destinations. One unique aspect is that the Argentine army conducts training exercises at the resort, so don’t be surprised if you spot military personnel on the slopes getting lessons from mountain staff. What might be especially surprising is the skill level of these soldiers—many of them barely know how to ski and are just learning, and you might see them fall a few times.

Cerro Catedral is also fairly Anglophone-friendly as far as South American ski resorts go. While Spanish will help, you can probably get away with speaking English while you are visiting, and there are at least some staff on hand who should be able to talk you through any questions you might have.

Getting There

Cerro Catedral benefits from one of the most convenient access situations of any major South American ski resort. Located approximately 12 miles from Bariloche, the resort is easily accessible via a relatively short and straightforward drive from town. Unlike some Andean ski destinations that require treacherous mountain roads or lengthy transfers, the access road to Catedral is simple to drive and usually manageable with any kind of car. You can easily take an Uber or taxi from Bariloche to the mountain if you don’t have a car too, and there are public buses, although service could be more frequent.

However, you should be prepared for traffic when returning to Bariloche at the end of the ski day. The combination of day visitors and overnight guests all leaving around the same time can create significant congestion on the access road. Planning for extra travel time during peak departure periods is probably wise.

Parking

For those who decide to drive, Cerro Catedral offers both free and paid parking options. The free parking option is located in an overflow lot that’s served by shuttle buses running approximately every 20 minutes. While this adds some time to your arrival and departure routine, it’s a cost-effective option for budget-conscious visitors.

For those who want the most convenient access, paid parking is available right at the base area for 20,000 pesos (approximately $17 USD as of May 2025). This puts you within easy walking distance of the lifts and eliminates the need to wait for shuttle buses, but you could probably use that money towards a taxi or Uber instead.

During peak periods, arriving early is recommended regardless of which parking option you choose. The resort’s popularity means that both free and paid lots can fill up, especially during powder days or when conditions are particularly good.

RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR CERRO CATEDRAL

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Lodging

Like many South American ski resorts, Cerro Catedral offers slopeside lodging at the mountain base, including some options with true ski-in/ski-out access. There are also a number of condos and hotels within a short walk or drive from the slopes. That said, the majority of visitors stay in the much bigger town of Bariloche, which provides access to accommodations ranging from budget-friendly hostels to ultra-luxury hotels and home rentals.

Après-Ski

When it comes to the slopes themselves, après-ski options at Cerro Catedral itself are decent. The base area offers some bars and restaurants where you can grab a drink and unwind after a day of skiing, and several of the mid-mountain restaurants offer on-mountain drink options as well. But where Cerro Catedral really stands out for a South American ski destination is in its proximity to the fantastic mountain town of Bariloche, which is known for its lively nightlife and excellent restaurant scene. The town offers everything from casual wine bars and craft breweries to high-end seafood and steakhouse restaurants, and for dessert, visitors should be sure to stop in one of the chocolate or ice cream shops—or better yet, get some of the exceptional dark chocolate ice cream on offer. And while food and drinks are expensive by South American standards—and maybe less unique than some other parts of Argentina—they’re still quite reasonable compared to many North American ski towns. The nightlife scene is particularly vibrant, with dance clubs that stay open until the early hours.

Verdict

So Cerro Catedral isn’t perfect, but as far as a ski trip to South America—or perhaps anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere—goes, it’s really hard to beat as an overall package. Sure, snow consistency could be better and crowds are a real problem, but no other resort on the continent can provide the same combination of terrain diversity, lift infrastructure, and raw aesthetic. 

Pricing

One of the most significant drawbacks to the Cerro Catedral experience is the lift ticket situation. At 115,000 Argentinian pesos (approximately $97 USD as of June 2025), daily lift tickets are quite expensive by South American standards. You cannot buy these tickets online ahead of time, and this system both creates long lines at ticket windows and makes vacation planning more complicated than it needs to be. Besides the window itself, your ticket purchasing options are limited to certain retail outlets in Bariloche, Buenos Aires, or other major Argentine cities. Since Cerro Catedral is not on any megapasses, these full-priced tickets are probably your only way to get on the mountain.

MOUNTAIN SCORE

#3 in Chile

#4 in South America

WRITTEN REVIEW

MOUNTAIN STATS

VIDEO REVIEW

CATEGORY BREAKDOWN 

See our criteria

Snow:

Resiliency:

Size:

Terrain Diversity:

Challenge:

Lifts:

Crowd Flow:

Facilities:

Navigation:

Mountain Aesthetic:

GOOD TO KNOW

1-Day Ticket: CLP 74,000 ($80 USD)

Pass Affiliation: Power Pass

On-site Lodging: Limited

Après-Ski: Limited

Nearest Cities: Santiago (1.5 hrs)

Recommended Ability Level:

  +   Pros

• Incredible snow quality

• Lower crowds than nearby competitors

• Stunning views from the mountains to Santiago below

• Fun and varied freeride terrain for advanced skiers and riders

  –   Cons

• Limited beginner and intermediate terrain

• Slow and aging lift infrastructure

• Hit-or-miss snow quantities across the season

• Smaller than nearby competitors

MOUNTAIN STATS

Skiable Footprint: 988 acres

Total Footprint: 1,647 acres

Lift-Serviced Terrain: 100%

Top Elevation: 11,725 ft

Vertical Drop: 3,021 ft

Lifts: 15

Trails: 40

Beginner: 15%

Intermediate: 15%

Advanced/Expert: 70%

VIDEO REVIEW

Mountain Review

Looking to visit South America for a quality ski trip this summer? Chile’s La Parva is an under-the-radar option. While not as flashy as some of its neighbors, the resort’s Euro-style village and local vibe have long been selling points for those who know the area. But is La Parva the right choice for your next Chilean ski trip, and why does it have so much less of a foreign presence than its neighboring ski areas?

Mountain Aesthetic

For those looking to soak in the natural beauty of the Andes, La Parva won’t disappoint. From the upper mountain, visitors will be treated to panoramic views of the towering peaks above the resort, some of which reach over 17,000 feet. The downward views are plainly impressive as well, with the resort facing directly towards the skyline of Santiago, a city with a metro area of nearly 7 million people. You’re so high above the city that you can see an entire chain of mountains leading into the valley below, making for quite the incredible sight. It’s typically a smoggy view down into Santiago, but if you get there on a bluebird day, you’ll often see that haze clear out for a crystal clear view down into the city. The Euro-inspired base and less-touristy clientele also combine to make for a more local feel than La Parva’s closest and best-known competitors.

Size and Terrain Layout

With 988 claimed skiable acres and 1,650 acres from boundary to boundary, La Parva is somewhat modestly-sized by North American standards, although it’s still within the typical realm of what one should expect at a good Chilean ski resort. The resort essentially spans one big mountain face across a handful of ridges, resulting in several distinct mountain pods. The resort offers a vertical drop of just over 3,000 feet, although the bottom 500 or so feet are mainly just village access and learning area runs. Despite a handful of trees in the base villages, the skiable footprint is basically entirely above treeline.

Beginner Terrain

Speaking of learning, despite a well-insulated bunny hill, La Parva is not a good ski resort for true beginners. Green trails are completely non-existent outside of this bunny hill, with guests needing to progress to blue or harder terrain to ski or ride any mid- or upper-mountain areas. While La Parva’s blue trails are somewhat easier than what one might find at a typical North American ski resort, most of them are either traverses or still steeper than those who haven’t figured out linked turns may be able to handle. The nearby resorts of Valle Nevado and El Colorado are much better for those just starting out in their skiing or riding career.

TRAIL MAP

Intermediate Terrain

Speaking of blue terrain, La Parva becomes a more open mountain once visitors reach intermediate proficiency. However, the resort still isn’t perfect for this ability level. On the plus side, guests can ski or ride the full vertical drop of La Parva on blue-rated terrain, and these trails offer some of the best views at the resort. This all being said, La Parva’s true cruiser terrain at the blue-rated level is limited. A significant portion of the resort’s blue-rated trail network, including all of its blues in the mid-mountain, are traverses that are more designed to give skiers and riders access to reds and blacks rather than function as enjoyable trails in their own right. These traverses have some flat sections and can get repetitive quickly, and most low-intermediate guests will find themselves wanting more.

When it comes to La Parva’s red terrain, these trails are best suited for advanced-intermediate and regular advanced skiers and riders. This terrain level is where the resort starts to seriously show its strengths, with these trails bringing great steep groomer terrain. La Parva’s red-triangle runs are extensive in nature, with several existing off most of the mid- and upper-mountain lifts. Reaching the red level of terrain also unlocks access to 100% of La Parva’s chairlifts.

Advanced Terrain

When it comes to La Parva’s red terrain, these trails are best suited for advanced-intermediate and regular advanced skiers and riders. This terrain level is where the resort starts to seriously show its strengths, with these trails bringing great steep groomer terrain. La Parva’s red-triangle runs are extensive in nature, with several existing off most of the mid- and upper-mountain lifts. Reaching the red level of terrain also unlocks access to 100% of La Parva’s chairlifts.

For the steepest groomed trails, guests will want to check out La Parva’s black-rated runs. While not quite as extensive as La Parva’s reds, these runs provide an opportunity to tackle earnestly steep terrain and pick up some serious speed in the process.

Expert and Off-Piste Terrain

But for expert skiers and riders looking to really push themselves to the limit, La Parva offers a handful of designated freeride zones. These mid- and upper-mountain terrain areas, which are shaded in purple on the trail map, offer an opportunity for ungroomed skiing and riding with some resort maintenance and safety control. Those looking to ski or ride steep mogul or powder terrain will want to check these areas out. In addition, some of the areas just outside the red and black runs offer great opportunities for mogul and powder skiing as well when conditions allow.

However, to really get the most out of La Parva, guests will want to check out the true off-piste. A number of excellent backcountry lines sit just outside the resort boundary, including some bowls and chutes you can traverse to, especially directly off of Lift 1. In addition, a variety of hikeable lines and touring routes are accessible from in-bounds trails, making the resort a standout for those who want to earn their turns and hit some incredible peaks. This all being said, La Parva’s off-piste terrain is not maintained, patrolled, or marked by the resort at all, and avalanches can and will occur if you are not careful. Those looking to ski or ride these areas should have a clear plan for entering and exiting, avalanche equipment such as a beacon, shovel, and probe, and a partner (or experienced guide if you aren’t thoroughly familiar with your route).

If you’re looking to go further into the Andes, La Parva also offers an extensive heli-skiing operation up to several of the mountains that extend well above the official resort boundary. The resort claims that over 200,000 acres of terrain are available to explore, and operations can get you to some of the most incredible untouched powder on the continent. But it’s also quite pricey at thousands of dollars a day, so you’ll want to make sure to financially prepare before putting the money down.

Snow Quality and Resiliency

Like other central Chilean ski resorts, La Parva receives reasonable snowfall on average each Southern Hemisphere winter. With accumulation figures that tend to range between 100-200 inches from June through September, snow totals usually aren’t quite as high as the nearby higher-elevation Valle Nevado, but they are close.

But where La Parva really stands out, provided you time the resort right, is in its snow quality. The higher altitude and arid climate typically results in light and dry accumulation when storms roll through, and while the quality of the snow can vary, it’s usually at least very good, and can be absolutely exceptional—even beating that of the most renowned Utah resorts—under the most favorable circumstances. Those who are properly equipped to explore La Parva’s off-piste will be in for quite the treat, as the areas outside of official trails can take days or even weeks to get fully tracked out. When it snows in La Parva, it’s typically raining several thousand feet down in Santiago, and the lower the snow line of the storm, the lighter the snowfall typically is.

That said, snow accumulation at La Parva tends to be feast or famine. The resort may see some big storms throughout the season, but they’re often followed by long periods of ample sunshine and drought conditions. In fact, the resort’s season-long snow base is often formed off of just a handful of storms, with the quantity of snow these accumulation events bring playing a major role in conditions for the following days, weeks, or even months. During bad snow years, the resort may be reliant almost entirely on snowmaking to maintain operations. La Parva’s on-piste trails maintain a baseline-level of resiliency thanks to the mountain ops team, but in bad years, the conditions just off the maintained trails can be just about bare. As a result, those hoping to ski or ride the off-piste and chancing it during a bad year may be disappointed.

Navigation

But La Parva’s strong on-mountain maintenance extends over to more than its physical skiability. The resort offers significantly better signage than most other South American ski resorts, including neighboring Valle Nevado and El Colorado, with widely-available English markings for foreigners and clear overall trail guidance. Also unlike Valle Nevado and El Colorado, La Parva has readily-available physical trail maps, which can prove very useful when you have some time to kill on the lift. If you need to speak to someone at the resort, English-speaking staff are generally available, although it does help to know some Spanish.

Lifts

Speaking of lifts, La Parva’s uphill lift network feels modern compared to several of its Chilean competitors, although those coming from more developed regions may note some significant drawbacks. On the plus side, visitors can access a significant portion of La Parva’s terrain via chairlift, including much of the resort’s expert and upper-mountain terrain footprint. At least on high-elevation and difficult terrain, this is a comfort rarely found at other Chilean resorts, where surface lifts are the default. Surface lifts do serve some of La Parva’s terrain—and guests will need to take the #7 platter to reach the family-oriented, upper-mountain #4 triple chair—but they generally follow a moderate pitch and are reasonable in length. 

That said, just because La Parva has chairlifts doesn’t mean they are fast. The resort has two quads, two triples, and one double, all of which are fixed-grip. Some of these lifts are especially lengthy for what one might find acceptable, with the advanced-oriented #1 quad having over 200 chairs on it and involving a staggering 15-minute ride time. Those used to skiing or riding elsewhere in Chile may appreciate the relaxed ride compared to surface lifts, but those used to high-speed lifts are likely to get frustrated.

Crowd Flow

But luckily, La Parva’s slow lifts are somewhat counteracted by the lack of crowds. Unlike Valle Nevado and El Colorado, La Parva is much more of a winter-sports-goer’s mountain, with substantially fewer tourists on the mountain than sightseers, meaning that skiers and snowboarders won’t be competing for space on the chairlifts. La Parva also benefits from a wide footprint, which spreads out potential congestion on the slopes, as well as a number of lift redundancies in its most popular areas. The most crowded pistes tend to be the blues that wind through the mid-mountain, but they still stay plenty manageable under all but the most exceptional of circumstances.

RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR LA PARVA

NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.

On-Mountain Facilities

La Parva also stands out for a strong on-mountain facility setup. The resort offers multiple mid-mountain restaurants with outdoor seating, with inviting setups by South American standards that give off a distinctly European flair. The Euro-style restaurants extend to the base village too, with several restaurants bordering the lower-mountain pistes and more casual cafeteria-style food options as well. Digital nomads may want to take note, as there’s a coworking space available at the Parva Chica base area.

Pass Partnerships

One way that La Parva is notable is it’s one of the only South American ski resorts to be on a North American megapass product: The Power Pass. The Power Pass and Power Pass Select offer 10 days of skiing or riding at La Parva a season, with the days shared and interchangeable with neighboring Valle Nevado. That said, the Power Pass is a much more regional product than its more popular competitors, mainly offering access to modestly-sized resorts in the U.S. West, and for most people, it’s not going to make as much sense as a Northern Hemisphere ski pass as Ikon, Epic, Mountain Collective, or even Indy.

It’s also worth noting that La Parva is one of three interconnected ski resorts that make up Chile’s Tres Valles region, alongside Valle Nevado and El Colorado. Although Valle Nevado is somewhat hidden in a valley over, portions of El Colorado are clearly visible from La Parva’s southernmost terrain areas, which might make La Parva itself appear bigger and wider than it really is. While these three ski resorts have historically been independently operated, they are physically connected by skiable terrain under the right conditions, and as a result, it’s possible to ski or ride between them. But despite their interconnectivity, all three resorts maintain separate lift ticket systems, and skiing or riding into Valle Nevado or El Colorado from La Parva does not necessarily grant you access to their lifts. However, La Parva and Valle Nevado have been under the same ownership since 2024, and as of the 2025 season, the two neighbors now offer a ticket add-on that allows skiers and riders to access both resorts on the same day. No full Tres Valles joint pass currently exists, however, and El Colorado continues to operate with a fully separate lift ticket system.

Getting There and Parking

One of the biggest considerations when planning a trip to La Parva is the access road that leads up to the Tres Valles resorts. The drive from Santiago may appear manageable on paper with a travel time of under two hours, but in reality, it’s a challenging, high-altitude mountain route unlike anything most North American drivers will be used to. The road is extremely narrow and winding with over two dozen hairpin turns, and while not quite as crazy as the full route to nearby Valle Nevado, the route still involves a rapid elevation gain of roughly 6,000 feet. If a snowstorm hits, chains are required, and conditions can deteriorate quickly. Police checkpoints along the way are common and may verify that drivers are carrying chains or staying at a resort.

Due to the road’s difficulty and heavy weekend traffic, the access road is converted into a one-way route on weekends and holidays: uphill traffic only from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and downhill traffic only from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Travelers should plan accordingly to avoid being stuck at the wrong time. At least parking isn’t a big issue at the resort, with a convenient main lot near the base and an overflow lot in case things get busy.

If you’re not experienced with driving in the conditions we just described, we highly recommend booking a private shuttle from Santiago. While some taxis will be happy to offer rides, they frequently lack proper snow equipment. Shuttle operators like SkiTotal or private drivers familiar with the route are a safer bet, but it’s important to confirm passenger and luggage details ahead of time, as overpacked vans can be an issue, especially on return trips.

RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR LA PARVA

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Lodging

Because of the road’s challenges and scheduling circumstances, most travelers visiting La Parva for multiple days opt to stay on-mountain rather than attempting a daily commute from Santiago. But unlike neighboring Valle Nevado and El Colorado, La Parva does not have any traditional hotels within its ski village proper. Accommodations at La Parva itself are limited to self-catered condos, apartments, and private homes, but unlike at some competitors, which only allow fixed arrival or departure dates for their lodging, many of these homes do offer flexibility in the days you can arrive or depart. These condos are on the expensive side, but they’re very conveniently located and often ski-in/ski-out, and if you have a group, you can split the cost and get a reasonable deal for the number of beds available.

It’s also worth noting if you want cheaper accommodations or true hotels, several options are available down the road in Farellones near the El Colorado base, but if weather doesn’t line up, driving to La Parva may be a bit tough.

Après-Ski

When it comes to après-ski, La Parva’s base village provides a solid foundation. The resort’s Euro-style restaurants and bars are great for a post-ski drink or meal, and a couple of mid-mountain chalets offer scenic après opportunities as well. However, the resort is still fairly small and isolated, and while the après scene is enjoyable, it’s geared more toward low-key socializing than late-night parties—and after a few days, it can get stale. As a result, visitors hoping for a lively nightlife scene may want to look elsewhere.

Verdict

La Parva is somewhat smaller than its primary competitors, and the slow lift system is a drawback versus the few somewhat-modern resorts of the Andes. But the resort’s strong crowd management is a significant benefit over other major resorts on the continent, and the demanding freeride terrain really doesn’t hurt either. La Parva probably isn’t the South American ski resort you want to take your inexperienced friends or family to, but for a crowd-light experience in the days after a storm has rolled through, it’s a great choice.

Pricing

This season, lift ticket pricing at La Parva has changed a little bit. Peak tickets top out at $79,000 CLP (~$81 USD), which is similar to last year, but in-advance tickets on off-peak weekdays can now be had for just $29,000 CLP (~$30 USD). The resort is still an okay value for what you get even at the window, but it’s a downright steal if you can get one of those early-bird tickets.

MOUNTAIN SCORE

#4 in Chile

#5 in South America

WRITTEN REVIEW

MOUNTAIN STATS

VIDEO REVIEW

CATEGORY BREAKDOWN 

See our criteria

Snow:

Resiliency:

Size:

Terrain Diversity:

Challenge:

Lifts:

Crowd Flow:

Facilities:

Navigation:

Mountain Aesthetic:

GOOD TO KNOW

1-Day Ticket: CLP 89,000 ($94 USD)

Pass Affiliation: Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective, and Power Pass

On-site Lodging: Yes

Après-Ski: Moderate

Nearest Cities: Santiago (1.5 hrs)

Recommended Ability Level:

  +   Pros

• Incredible snow quality

• Modern lift network by South American standards

• Large selection of on-mountain lodging

• Stunning views, especially of the canyon below the base village

• Larger than nearby competitors

  –   Cons

• Limited advanced and expert terrain

• Some upper mountain lifts could really use and upgrade

• Hit-or-miss snow quantities across the season

• Altitude can be a bit much for some visitors

MOUNTAIN STATS

Skiable Footprint: 1,940 acres

Total Footprint: 2,224 acres

Lift-Serviced Terrain: 89.7%

Top Elevation: 12,041 ft

Vertical Drop: 2,658 ft

Lifts: 17

Trails: 44

Beginner: 14%

Intermediate: 25%

Advanced/Expert: 61%

VIDEO REVIEW

Mountain Review

Looking to visit South America and coming from the Northern Hemisphere? Valle Nevado is almost the default choice. With access through several North American megapasses and an iconic, high-alpine base village, Valle Nevado is the exotic destination that adventurous ski-resort-goers would picture on a postcard. But just because Valle Nevado looks the part doesn’t necessarily make it a perfect resort, so is this central Chile resort right for you? Well, in this video, we’ll go through Valle Nevado’s overall mountain experience, and then we’ll go through how the resort stacks up in our Chilean ski resort rankings. Let’s jump right into it.

Size and Elevation

Valle Nevado spans 1,939 acres from boundary to boundary, making it one of the largest ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. The entire footprint sits above treeline, offering wide-open alpine skiing with minimal natural obstacles—though, like many South American resorts, areas outside the marked trails are not patrolled or avalanche-controlled. With a base village at 9,925 feet and a low point of 9,383 feet, Valle Nevado holds the distinction of having the highest base elevation in the Southern Hemisphere. This altitude helps contribute to favorable skiing and riding conditions, but it also presents a real challenge for visitors not acclimated to high elevations. Even compared to most North American and European resorts, the Valle Nevado base is exceptionally high, and with Santiago sitting more than 7,000 feet below the resort village, there’s no good intermediate stopping ground to acclimate to the elevation.

Terrain Layout

When it comes to the terrain layout, Valle Nevado is primarily divided into two zones: a frontside that covers nearly the full vertical drop and is serviced by both a gondola and a high-speed quad—an uncommon luxury in South America—and a higher-elevation backside accessed almost entirely via platter lifts. The Embalse double chair provides limited egress back to the front side from part of this terrain, although it tends to operate on an inconsistent schedule.

Despite surrounding Andean peaks that top out well above 17,000 feet, Valle Nevado’s top lift-served elevation tops out at 12,041 feet. While the resort advertises a 2,658-foot vertical drop, only about 2,000 feet are realistically skiable in one continuous run. The highest terrain lies on the backside and requires either another lift to return to the front side or a long, often tiring catwalk.

Beginner Terrain

Beginner terrain at Valle Nevado is rated with a green circle and is primarily concentrated in the lower and mid-mountain areas. While the resort does offer a handful of beginner-friendly runs, the overall selection is somewhat limited. About half of the green trails are more like traverses than full runs: they aren’t too flat to maintain momentum, but they’re narrow and not particularly engaging to lap repeatedly. Novices may find themselves running out of terrain quickly if they don’t progress to higher ability zones within a few days. The true learning zone—located on the lower mountain—is decent, with a magic carpet, surface lift, and double chair, and is a step up from some South American resorts that start beginners on T-bars or platter lifts.

TRAIL MAP

Intermediate Terrain

Valle Nevado transforms into a much more practical mountain at the intermediate level, with blue runs accessible from every lift. For those transitioning from beginner terrain, these trails are generally on the easier side compared to intermediate runs at many other resorts. However, a significant number of them—especially in the upper mountain—function more as flat catwalks connecting different zones than as true cruising terrain. The worst offenders are Camino El Torte, which links the Cima Mirador lift to the upper surface lifts, and Camino Alto, which connects Cima Inca to the lower mountain. Many of these runs are flat enough to be classified as greens, but are likely rated as blues simply because blue-level trails are required to navigate further down the mountain. That said, there are still a few genuinely enjoyable blue cruisers on offer—and they provide some of the best views anywhere on the mountain.

Terrain Parks

When it comes to terrain parks, Valle Nevado is home to two modestly sized freestyle areas, both situated on the lower mountain and directly served by platter lifts. These include a medium-to-large traditional terrain park off the Candonga surface lift and a boardercross course off the Escondida surface lift. A small terrain park has also existed off the Prado lift in years past. While terrain parks are not a major focus of the resort, they offer a decent selection of features, including boxes, rails, rollers, jumps, and the occasional quarter pipe contingent on seasonal snow conditions.

Advanced, Expert, and Freeride Terrain

Unlike ski resorts in the United States and Canada, Valle Nevado has a trail rating between the blue square and black diamond: the red triangle. This rating is designed to designate trails that are “advanced” in nature, although most guests will find them to be about equivalent to harder blues at a typical North American destination ski resort. These runs make up the bulk of Valle Nevado’s marked footprint, and multiple reds can be found off every mid and upper mountain lift. A small handful of reds remain ungroomed throughout the ski season, but most are consistently groomed.

Valle Nevado’s steepest consistently maintained trails are marked with a black-diamond rating. However, the overall offering is limited—only six single-black runs exist, all located above mid-mountain—and while marketed by the resort as “expert” trails, they aren’t any harder than a typical single-black advanced run at a North American ski resort. About half of these are groomed on a regular basis, while the others are left to build up moguls depending on conditions. Valle Nevado also uses the double-black diamond symbol, but not for formal pistes—instead, it denotes freeride zones that are not patrolled or avalanche-controlled. Some of these areas require hiking or traversing to reach, but even then, the terrain is relatively tame compared to the more challenging areas found at neighboring La Parva or on El Colorado’s backside. Even the hike-to double-black freeride zones rarely feel intimidating by North American standards.

That said, skiers and riders heading off-piste should proceed with serious caution. While a few freeride areas immediately adjacent to marked trails may receive occasional patrol oversight, the vast majority of off-piste terrain at Valle Nevado is neither maintained nor mitigated for avalanche risk. Snow coverage can also be quite thin, with exposed rocks (“sharks”) lurking just beneath the surface, especially in dry spells. Finally, the canyons to the east of Valle Nevado are rather remote and treacherous, with no roads out, extremely avalanche-prone terrain, and a canyon depth of at least 2,000 feet below the ski resort base village. You should not enter this area unless you know what you’re doing and know exactly where you’re going. We highly recommend that anyone heading off a marked piste carry proper avalanche safety gear—including a beacon, shovel, and probe—and travel with a partner or experienced guide.

Heli-Skiing

If the lift- and hike-served off-piste isn’t enough for you, Valle Nevado offers one of the best-known heli-skiing operations in the Southern Hemisphere. These guided outings reach elevations far beyond the resort’s lift-served terrain, with drop-ins as high as 15,000 feet and vertical descents of over 6,500 feet—more than triple what’s continuously skiable within the resort boundary. Because the terrain lies at higher elevations and sees significantly less skier traffic, snow quality on heli runs is often noticeably better than what’s found inbounds, with deep, exceptionally dry powder remaining untracked for days. That said, the extreme elevation means anyone sensitive to altitude will feel it exponentially more during these outings than they would inbounds.

Thanks to Valle Nevado’s reliably sunny weather, heli-skiing is available almost every day during the peak season. If conditions prevent flying on a Full Day or Full Week program, the resort will refund your money—providing some peace of mind for those booking in advance.

However, this level of access doesn’t come cheap. A single Full Day heli-skiing outing costs approximately $2,000 USD, while the five-day Full Week package runs around $9,000 USD. So if you want to cross heli-skiing off your bucket list while visiting Valle Nevado, you should probably start saving up.

Snow Quality and Resiliency

Thanks to its high elevation and predominantly south-facing terrain, Valle Nevado generally enjoys slightly better snow preservation and accumulation than its neighbors La Parva and El Colorado. Powder quality is often excellent, and thanks to the resort’s more family-oriented clientele, off-piste terrain can remain untouched for far longer than at comparable resorts in North America or Europe. It’s not uncommon to find fresh tracks lingering just off the main trails for days after a storm.

That said, Valle Nevado’s snowfall patterns tend to be feast or famine. The resort often builds its entire seasonal base off just a handful of large storms, with extended dry spells in between. These droughts can last weeks—or even months—leaving the resort heavily reliant on snowmaking to keep groomed runs open. On a good day, off-piste zones can offer deep, soft powder turns; on a bad season, those same areas might be completely bare and unskiable.

Valle Nevado’s high-altitude, highly exposed footprint has some other consequences. Visibility during storm skiing is not easy, given that the terrain entirely lacks trees to help guests define their surroundings (although boundary poles on most runs do help). That same exposure can also bring strong winds that occasionally affect lift operations. On the plus side, the resort operates until 5:00 p.m. daily—an hour later than the standard 4:00 p.m. closure time typical at most U.S. and Canadian resorts—offering guests a bit more time to make the most of whatever conditions they have.

Navigation

Thanks to its compact-looking trail map, above-treeline footprint that allows views of nearly the entire resort, and exceptionally-designed signage by South American standards, Valle Nevado might appear pretty easy to get around at a first glance. That said, getting around the resort requires more planning than one might expect, especially on the upper-mountain back side where many areas are only connected by surface lifts. Some of these lifts are awkwardly placed and require short hikes if you don’t follow a very specific route to reach them. Certain routes between the front and back sides involve flat traverses, and while these catwalks can be avoided, doing so often involves out-of-the-way detours. It also takes some catwalking to reach the ski-in/ski-out condos located below the main village base. While technically possible to reach on skis, it’s often more convenient to take the shuttle—especially at the end of the day when legs are tired.

Lifts

By Chilean standards, Valle Nevado offers an exceptional lift setup, featuring one of only two high-speed quads in the country and the only gondola at a Chilean ski resort. These two lifts provide efficient access to the majority of the front side, and are supplemented by a mix of fixed-grip chairs and surface lifts that offer some redundancy.

That said, Valle Nevado’s lift system is far from flawless. If you’re not accustomed to using surface lifts, the resort’s back side can be a challenge. This zone relies almost entirely on aging platter lifts—many with surprisingly strong recoil that can, to put it lightly, catch riders off guard. These lifts also tend to run up relatively steep lines, making repeat laps physically tiring even for experienced skiers and riders.

Crowd Flow

Valle Nevado is one of the most popular ski resorts in South America, and it can get fairly busy—especially around the beginner-friendly gondola and the limited-capacity surface lifts on the upper mountain. That said, crowds are kept from becoming truly overwhelming thanks to solid lift redundancies on the front side. One word of warning: avoid getting rentals or lift tickets on Wednesday and Sunday mornings if you can. These times coincide with the arrival of new hotel guests on Tuesday and Saturday evenings, often leading to significant bottlenecks in both areas.

RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR VALLE NEVADO

NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.

On-Mountain Facilities

When it comes to stopping in for a break at Valle Nevado, the resort offers a couple of options. Like with much of the resort’s infrastructure, the most comprehensive services are found on the front side, where finding a rest stop is relatively straightforward. In addition to the base village—which features a mix of upscale restaurants and casual food trucks—there’s a mid-mountain restaurant at the top of the gondola, a range of services at the gondola base, and a food truck at the top of the Mirador lift (though the latter does not have a corresponding bathroom).

The back side, by contrast, is far more isolated. The only real service available is an outhouse bathroom located at the base of the Ballicas platter lift. Unfortunately, this facility is inconveniently placed for skiers accessing other backside lifts—especially the Tres Puntas platter, where the loading area is frustratingly close, but stopping in at the bathroom means dealing with an annoying sidestep climb to return to the lift. There is a ski patrol shack at the top of the Tres Puntas lift, but it doesn’t include public bathrooms and isn’t designed to function as a guest rest stop.

Mountain Aesthetic

Valle Nevado’s in-bounds slopes may not be the most naturally distinctive in terms of terrain features, but the same certainly can’t be said for its surroundings. On clear days—which, as mentioned earlier, occur frequently—guests are treated to awe-inspiring views of the surrounding Andes, including towering peaks that rise as much as 5,800 feet above the resort’s top lift-served elevation. Valle Nevado itself sits on a dramatic knife’s-edge ridge, bordered by jagged cliffs that extend well below the ski area boundary. This terrain is especially visible from the Retorno trail on the front side, where skiers are treated to a sweeping view of the ridge below. In fact, the base village is perched right on the edge of these cliffs—and when viewed from the tail end of Retorno, the sight of the village makes for one of the most iconic visual aesthetics of any resort we’ve visited.

Neighboring Areas

It’s also worth noting that Valle Nevado is one of three interconnected ski resorts that make up Chile’s Tres Valles region, alongside La Parva and El Colorado. In fact, parts of El Colorado’s back side are clearly visible from the Valle Nevado base area, and it’s not uncommon for guests to mistake that terrain as part of Valle Nevado proper until they take a closer look at the trail map and boundary markings. While these three ski resorts have historically been independently operated, they are physically connected by skiable terrain under the right conditions, and as a result, it’s possible to ski or ride between them.

Despite their interconnectivity, all three of these resorts are on separate tickets, and skiing or riding into La Parva or El Colorado from Valle Nevado does not necessarily mean you will have access to their lifts. However, Valle Nevado and La Parva have been under the same ownership since 2024, and as of the 2025 season, the two neighbors now offer a ticket add-on that allows skiers and riders to access both resorts in a single day. However, no full Tres Valles joint pass currently exists, and Valle Nevado still maintains a separate lift ticket system from El Colorado.

Pass Partnerships

Valle Nevado is particularly well-known among Northern Hemisphere skiers for one key reason: its strong pass partnerships. It’s the only South American ski resort featured on either the Ikon Pass or the Mountain Collective Pass, making it a natural choice for many American and Canadian skiers visiting the Andes. Ikon Pass holders receive 7 days of lift access, while Mountain Collective members get 2 free days plus 50% off additional days.

Valle Nevado is also included on both the Power Pass and Power Pass Select, offering 10 days of skiing per season. These days are shared and interchangeable with neighboring La Parva, allowing guests to sample terrain at both mountains under the same pass allocation.

It’s worth noting that pass holders for all three programs—Ikon, Mountain Collective, and Power Pass—must stop by the ticket window to register their access before hitting the slopes. Direct-to-lift access is not currently available. In addition, none of these three programs are affiliated with El Colorado, while Ikon and Mountain Collective do not include La Parva access—so passholders looking to drop into these resorts will need to prepare to buy lift tickets.

Valle Nevado is also fairly anglophone-friendly as South American ski resorts get. Most staff—particularly in hotels, guest services, and ski school—speak English reasonably well, and the resort caters heavily to international guests. That said, not everyone you interact with will speak fluent English, especially in operational roles like shuttle drivers or lift attendants, so it’s worth knowing a few key Spanish phrases or keeping a translation app handy.

Getting There

One of the biggest considerations when planning a trip to Valle Nevado is its access road. The travel time from Santiago may not look too bad on paper—less than two hours when conditions align—but the drive itself is incredibly treacherous and unlike anything found at resorts in the U.S. or Canada. The road is narrow and extremely winding, involving dozens of hairpin turns and an elevation gain of over 7,000 feet. If inclement weather rolls through, chains are required to make it the full way up safely. Travelers may also encounter a police checkpoint along the way, where officers verify that you’re actually staying at the resort.

Due to the road’s difficulty and the congestion it creates, the Valle Nevado access road is converted into a one-way route on weekends and holidays: uphill traffic only from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and downhill traffic only from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

If you’re not familiar with driving in these types of conditions—and most North Americans won’t be—we strongly recommend booking a shuttle from Santiago. Some taxis may offer the service, but they often lack proper winter equipment, leaving you at risk of getting stuck. Shuttle companies like SkiTotal run regular trips to the resort, though it’s worth noting that drivers may not speak English and that you should explicitly remind the company in advance about how many passengers and how much gear you have—especially on the trip back down to Santiago. Vans occasionally arrive without enough space for ski bags or large groups unless you’ve clearly communicated your needs.

Due to these circumstances, we highly recommend staying on-site at Valle Nevado rather than attempting a day trip up from Santiago. But if you do decide to drive, Valle Nevado provides parking options for both overnight guests and day visitors. The main day lot is located at the base of the gondola, but space is somewhat limited, especially on weekends and holidays. Guests staying at on-site hotels such as Hotel Valle Nevado and Hotel Tres Puntas are offered free parking, though it’s limited as well, and accommodations typically ask that you reserve a spot at least 24 hours in advance.

RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR VALLE NEVADO

NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.

Lodging

Speaking of staying on-site, the Valle Nevado experience might be catered just as much around the lodging as it is the skiing and riding. The vast majority of accommodations are managed by the resort and marketed under a cruise-ship-style model, where lift tickets, meals, and other core amenities are bundled into a single package. During the peak season—typically from early July through mid-September—this system includes fixed arrival and departure dates, with check-ins and check-outs only permitted on Tuesdays and Fridays. As a result, most stays require a minimum commitment of three nights.

That said, it’s possible to work around these rigid booking policies if you really want to. A small number of on-site Airbnbs offer more flexible arrival and departure options throughout the week. However, if you decide to get an accommodation that does not include meals, it’s worth noting that groceries and basic supplies in Valle Nevado proper are both extremely limited and expensive; as a result, we highly recommend stocking up in Santiago before heading up the mountain.

Not every accommodation is directly ski-in/ski-out, but they are all within easy access of the slopes and a couple minutes’ walk at most. The village is also served by a convenient shuttle system that gets you from any accommodation to the main base. It’s also worth noting that it takes some less-than-fun traversing to reach some of the ski-in/ski-out condos located below the main village base, and it’s often more convenient to take the shuttle—especially at the end of the day when your legs are tired.

Après-Ski

While the overall après culture doesn’t rival that of major North American or European resorts, Valle Nevado offers a decent mix of options for guests looking to unwind after a day on the slopes. Right after the slopes close, the core of the activity takes place around the base village hotels with casual food and drinks. For a more low-key indoor option, the Valle Lounge provides a fireplace setting with appetizers and drinks.

Those seeking nightlife can head to Pub Tres Puntas, which occasionally features live music, karaoke, and dancing, though the scene starts late—typically not until 10:30 or 11 p.m. Other bar options offer quieter spaces with wine, cocktails, and light food that happen earlier.

Verdict

So Valle Nevado isn’t the most modern ski resort out there—and it’s not the toughest or most consistent either. But for those looking to book a Southern Hemisphere ski trip in July or August that’s included on a North American mega-pass, Valle Nevado is pretty much the default choice—and it’s a pretty decent one, all things considered. The resort is a much easier journey than other Ikon destinations halfway around the world in New Zealand, and if you happen to hit it on a good powder day, you might just find yourself skiing or riding some of the best in-bounds snow conditions of your life.

Pricing

If you don’t visit Valle Nevado using an Ikon, Mountain Collective, or Power Pass, a 1-day adult lift ticket costs 89,000 Chilean pesos—about $94 USD as of early May 2025. While that’s relatively expensive by Chilean standards, it’s still noticeably cheaper than the average day ticket at a U.S. ski resort for what you get. That said, most guests won’t actually be paying that rate, as lift tickets are typically bundled into hotel packages. Notably, kids 12 and under and seniors 75 and up ski free, making Valle Nevado an attractive deal for families and older visitors.

MOUNTAIN SCORE

#2 in Chile

#3 in South America

WRITTEN REVIEW

MOUNTAIN STATS

VIDEO REVIEW

CATEGORY BREAKDOWN 

See our criteria

Snow:

Resiliency:

Size:

Terrain Diversity:

Challenge:

Lifts:

Crowd Flow:

Facilities:

Navigation:

Mountain Aesthetic:

GOOD TO KNOW

1-Day Ticket: $64 USD

Pass Affiliation: None

On-site Lodging: Yes

Après-Ski: Moderate

Nearest Cities: Santiago (3 hrs)

Recommended Ability Level:

  +   Pros

• Some of the most demanding inbounds terrain in the world

• Staggeringly beautiful views of the nearby mountains and lake

• Incredibly unique on-mountain lodging option

• Surprisingly little lift lines

  –   Cons

• Hard-to-use slingshot lifts are needed to access much of the advanced terrain

• Lacking in beginner and intermediate terrain

• On-mountain lodging has somewhat stringent stay requirements

• Snowfall isn’t on par to other Chile destinations

MOUNTAIN STATS

Skiable Footprint: 900 acres

Total Footprint: 1,235 acres

Lift-Serviced Terrain: 71.7%

Top Elevation: 10,860 ft

Vertical Drop: 2,500 ft

Lifts: 13

Trails: 35

Beginner: 15%

Intermediate: 30%

Advanced/Expert: 55%

VIDEO REVIEW

Mountain Review

Located in the central Andes of Chile near the Argentinian border, Portillo is one of the most “in your face” ski resorts in the world. Distinguished by a brash slopeside hotel, pristine deep-blue lake, and some of the tallest mountains in the southern hemisphere, the resort makes a statement before you even get on the slopes. But even besides its looks, Portillo has quite a lot to offer that makes the resort worth a visit for a South American winter ski trip—provided you can handle it.

So what’s so special about Portillo? Let’s take a look.

Mountain Aesthetic

The first thing that stands out about Portillo is just how much is going on there. This is not your typical, run-of-the-mill ski hill; Portillo is located in a canyon boxed in by massive peaks on every side. There isn’t a single place at the resort that doesn’t have an imposing, rock-riddled mountain facade within immediate view, with the peaks that comprise the resort rising well above where the lifts end. In fact, the highest Portillo mountain, Ojos de Agua, summits nearly 3,000 feet above where the highest lift will take you.

But even besides the mountains that directly make up the resort, there are some plainly iconic peaks visible from Portillo on clear days. Several mountains that top out above 15,000 feet sit directly north of the resort, including La Parva (not to be confused with the ski resort further south) and Los Tres Hermanos. In addition, Aconcagua, which is the tallest mountain in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres with a top elevation of 22,841 feet, is a short distance northeast of Portillo. While hidden from view within the resort itself, the peak is visible from parts of the access road. Very few ski resorts in North America or Europe can offer views of peaks this high.

But perhaps even more impressive than Portillo’s surrounding peaks is the Laguna del Inca lake on the north side of the resort. When unfrozen, the deep-blue hue of this lake offers a stunning contrast to the jagged, snow-capped peaks that surround it. Portillo guests can ski or ride right down to the edge of the lake on either side of the resort, although those who trek this way  should be warned that some of the lines do involve a fairly protracted traverse out. During the coldest months of certain winter seasons, either part or all of the lake will freeze, and guests can sign up for guided snowshoe tours.

And finally, the natural beauty is complemented by what might be the most distinctive on-mountain architecture in the Andes. The resort is centered around Hotel Portillo, a brightly-colored structure that sits directly adjacent to the lake and provides for a one-of-a-kind backdrop. In fact, just about everything at the resort is centered around the hotel, with the overwhelming majority of guests staying directly on site. The hotel is home to the lift ticket office, ski rentals, a cafeteria, and guest services, among other things. Resort staff often open the resort to hotel guests before opening the ticket window (if you’re not staying on site, you have to buy a ticket at the window), so those staying on site get priority slope access. The line to pick up lift tickets can become very congested, and depending on the day, the resort may stop selling them.

Other Visitors

Despite limited activities aside from skiing and riding, Portillo attracts many tourists and sightseers from Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Most of these visitors come for the lake views, activities such as sledding and snowman building, and just the chance to view the snow. These tourists are prohibited from coming on the ski slopes, and they typically form a crowd pen along the viewing deck for the lake.

It’s also worth noting that Portillo is used as a training ground for armies, including that of Chile itself and occasional allied militaries. While skiing or riding Portillo, it’s not uncommon to encounter large army groups skiing the slopes and participating in training exercises, including learning to ski itself. But why skiing? Well, Chile’s eastern border is basically entirely defined by the Andes Mountain range, and skiing skills are essential for the military to effectively patrol and defend this area.

Terrain Layout

Portillo’s unique topography makes for a range of terrain exposures. The resort can essentially be broken into two terrain sides—an east side and a west side—with a traverse below the hotel forming the only skiable link between the two. The west side of the resort sees sun early in the morning, while the east side stays shaded until the early afternoon. As a result, guests usually spend their mornings on the west side and switch to the east side in the afternoon, thereby following the pattern of the sunshine. At just over 1,200 acres, Portillo isn’t the largest resort in the world, but its two sides are roughly equal in size, leading to a natural transition between them in the middle of the day.

Beginner Terrain

While its beauty is easy to appreciate no matter one’s ability, Portillo is not the best resort for lower ability skiers and riders. Only two green trails exist on the main mountain, and they both sit on the morning-shaded east side, meaning conditions tend to be quite hard at the start of the day. In addition, one of these two green trails takes a surface lift to reach without some traversing, which some less-experienced guests, especially those from North America, may not be used to riding. At least these green trails do have some character to them, converging into one run and filtering through a tunnel that used to host a transcontinental train service. In addition, one of Portillo’s bunny hills is served by a magic carpet rather than a surface lift, distinguishing it from the other Santiago-area resorts that exclusively use t-bars and button lifts for their learning areas.

TRAIL MAP

Intermediate Terrain

Portillo becomes a somewhat better resort for intermediates, but it’s not the best for skiers and riders of this ability level either. The vast majority of Portillo’s lower mountain trails on the west side and about half on the east side are rated as intermediate-level blue squares, but these runs are a lot steeper than blues at many competing mountains, and many could easily be rated as advanced trails at other resorts. At least Portillo’s blues are consistently groomed, allowing guests to get into a good cruising rhythm on the slopes and soak in the incredible surrounding views. The west side’s Juncalillo run extends far below the hotel, offering rolling hills—and, at approximately 1,391 feet (424 meters), the longest vertical descent of any singular trail at the resort.

Advanced Terrain

Like other South American ski resorts, Portillo uses a red rating to designate its trails in between blue and black. However, only two trails of this ability level exist—one on the east side of the resort and one on the west—and the latter is so short it barely even counts as a trail. These runs are about equivalent in difficulty to a black-rated groomer at a typical American ski resort, and they are well-suited to advanced skiers and riders. The red-rated Plateau trail off the lift of the same name is the easiest run down from that resort area, so guests who load this east-side quad chairlift will want to be of at least advanced proficiency.

Expert and Freeride Terrain

What you really want to be at Portillo is an expert skier or rider. Portillo’s hardest slopes are marked with a black color; some of these runs are designated with single-black trail markings on the slopes, while others are designated with double-black trail markings, but it’s unclear from the trail map which is which. Either way, Portillo’s black runs are relentlessly steep and ungroomed, making for demanding mogul runs and a high risk for an uncontrollable fall in the event of a slip up. A handful of Portillo’s gnarliest lines aren’t even marked on the trail map; these rock-lined chutes involve extremely narrow downhill routes with no room for error, and depending on snow conditions, some can involve mandatory air in sections.

A couple of Portillo’s steeps are unique in just how close they get to the lake. Both the east and west sides of the resort serve terrain that leads directly into the lake—and will literally dump you into it if you continue straight down the hill. On clear days, these runs make for some of the most stunning in-bounds skiing in the world. There are no barriers between the slopes and the lake, and while it may seem obvious that one would avoid skiing or riding into water, the lake can freeze in part or entirely, making the edge between the slopes and the water less clear than one might expect. These trails are absolutely beautiful, but they also involve significant traversing to get out of. There’s a formal traverse out from the Lake Run trail on the east side of the resort, which involves some side-stepping and ducking under some particularly low-clearance gates and rock faces. On the other hand, if you find yourself in the Primavera area on the west side, it takes a brief hike to get back to the lifts, no matter where you cut back. The mountain lacks signage warning of these hikeouts, but if you’re aware of your surroundings, it should be intuitive enough to avoid ending up in the wrong place.

Slingshot Lifts

Whether they lead down to the lake or not, Portillo’s hardest trails are made even more formidable by the way it takes to reach most of them. The overwhelming majority of expert runs are served by va y vient “slingshot” lifts—one-of-a-kind contraptions that pull guests up the mountain alongside one another. Due to the extreme steepness of their lines, these surface lifts have no towers and are anchored to the top of their respective trails. The gradient at the top of each of these lifts does not mellow out, making unloading a technical process that involves briefly skiing or riding backwards and quickly catching an edge to avoid an uncontrollable fall down the slope. Since these slingshot lifts can hold three to five riders at a time, it’s important for guests to unload in a particular order to avoid collisions while releasing, with the resort recommending ejecting from the middle out to keep the weight distribution even. It’s also worth noting that while there are multiple warning signs that read in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, the resort does not read warning messages out loud before riders load the lift, as many North American resorts would. So if you’re even slightly unsure of what to do before riding one of Portillo’s slingshots, be sure to ask the lift operator for advice, as he or she will tell you what to do.

Portillo is the only ski resort in the world with these unique lifts, and it boasts not just one of them, but four—two on the east side of the resort, and two on the west. Although most guests tend to hit the west side of the resort in the morning and the east side in the afternoon, we suggest that those unfamiliar with the slingshot lifts start with the ones on the east side. These slingshots have slightly shorter rises and more forgiving gradients than those on the west side, making them more straightforward for first-timers.

Other Lifts

When it comes to the rest of its lifts, Portillo is fairly par for the course for Chile—which is to say that the resort is held down by slow, fixed-grip doubles, triples, and quads. At least the chairs are comfortable and kept in good condition—and, with the exception of a small sliver of terrain on the resort’s east side, all lower-mountain runs are accessible by chairs rather than surface lifts. It’s worth noting that a few of these chairs go over some particularly hair-raising spans, including a very high section above the ground for the Plateau lift, and a few sections above switchbacks for the very busy access highway—which also happens to be a busy commercial road linking Chile and Argentina—on the Juncalillo lift. There’s no net if you drop something, so you’ll want to be extra careful not to dent someone’s car or truck with your pole!

Snow Quality and Resiliency

Portillo is the northernmost lift-served ski resort in South America, sitting about the same distance from the equator as the U.S. border with Mexico. Despite a top lift-served elevation of 10,860 feet, the resort can see quite variable snow conditions throughout the winter. The resort can sometimes go weeks without significant new snow during the core season, which consequently results in icy or slushy conditions depending on the time of day. Portillo’s snow quality does tend to be quite light and enjoyable from fresh storms, although the resort doesn’t usually receive the same quantity of accumulation as the more southern resorts closer to or further south of Santiago.

But while snow isn’t always the most consistent, Portillo’s unique topography makes for some of the wildest weather conditions of any ski resort in the Americas. The resort is subject to wild and unpredictable weather patterns, including extreme temperature swings, intense wind, and sudden storms. Lifts are often subject to closure due to these circumstances.

Finally, Portillo’s steep and prolonged mountain faces create considerable avalanche risk, especially on powder days or warm afternoons. The terrain served by the slingshot lifts regularly sees slides, and especially on the west side of the resort, the resort will close its slingshots early due to the avalanche danger.

Navigation

At least figuring out Portillo’s lift and terrain statuses—and just getting around in general—is fairly straightforward for a South American ski resort. The resort has a status board inside the hotel with detailed weather, lift, and trail information, and each chairlift has a status board for the major runs and connector lifts off of it (although markings for some permanently closed surface lifts have yet to be removed). While the entirety of Portillo sits above treeline, most trails themselves are bounded by sticks that are colored to indicate the difficulty level of the run. Some of these sticks have numbers on them to convey one’s distance from the bottom of the trail; while none of Portillo’s runs are particularly long, this system can still be a useful indicator. The one major issue with getting around Portillo is that its west and east resort sides are not very well integrated with one another; the sole bidirectional traverse connecting the two sides is flat, requiring some pushing or uphill side-stepping, especially when going from east to west. Luckily, due to the exposure circumstances we discussed earlier, most guests will be content with sticking to one resort side for several runs at a time.

On-Mountain Facilities

Although Portillo revolves chiefly around its namesake hotel, guests will find a range of on-mountain facilities around the resort. In addition to a public cafeteria in the hotel itself, the resort has a small restaurant just above the east side’s bunny hill and another mid-mountain restaurant, which overlooks some stunning lake views, at the top of the east-side Plateau chair (although guests will will to be of at least advanced proficiency to ski or ride down from this lift). Guests can purchase Portillo lift tickets with a lunch add-on, in which case the ticket comes with a 15,000 peso (roughly $15 USD) credit to use at the main cafeteria in the hotel. This credit covers food, but you’ll still have to pay if you want an additional drink. While not as dirt cheap as food in Santiago, the meal is pretty high-quality for what you get. The line can be a bit long for the hotel cafeteria, so if waits aren’t your thing, it may be worth it to forego the lunch add-on and check out one of the other restaurants on the mountain. It’s also worth noting that the public restroom before ticket control costs 500 CLP to use, or around 50 U.S. cents, so if you don’t want to deal with that, it’s best to either see if they’ll let you into the hotel—which isn’t always a guarantee—or wait until after you’ve bought your ticket.

Crowd Flow

Speaking of waits, due in part to Portillo’s remote location, difficult access road, and both limited lodging and lift tickets, on-mountain crowds while skiing or riding are fairly rare. Guests should not expect serious lift lines even during peak times, and that’s even with basically everyone sticking to one half of the mountain in the morning and the other half of the mountain in the afternoon. Portillo’s slingshot lifts can only transport one group of riders at a time (they are jigback lifts just like aerial trams), but given the daunting nature of these lifts, they rarely see that much demand anyway.

RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR PORTILLO

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Getting There

Another important facet about Portillo is just how remote it is. The resort is about three-and-a-half hours from Santiago with no traffic, but the narrow and windy access road regularly sees significant slowdowns, especially from cautious transcontinental truck traffic using the pass to get to Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. The route from Santiago achieves an elevation gain of over 7,000 feet (2,133 meters), with dozens of tight switchbacks along the last leg of the drive. The road gets quite sketchy during inclement weather, and unless conditions are totally clear, chains are required to drive up there. Chilean rental cars do not come with chains, so you’ll need to figure out a way to obtain them before crossing the police checkpoint. During especially inclement conditions, the access road can close, so those looking to drive up to the resort should double check to make sure the highway is actually open. Portillo visitors hoping to avoid this traffic can also charter a helicopter flight from the Santiago or Tobalaba airports, but this costs several thousand dollars per flight.

Lodging

Once you actually get to Portillo, on-site lodging is limited to only a few places. The most obvious of these accommodations is the Hotel Portillo, which has room for approximately 400 guests at a time and offers everything one might need right in the hotel. In addition to guest-exclusive restaurants, the hotel offers an exercise room, spa, and some of the most stunning outdoor pools and hot tubs in the world directly overlooking the lake. Immediately adjacent to the hotel sits a handful of boutique chalets; guests who stay in these condos get ski-in/ski-out convenience, especially from the west side of the resort, fantastic lake views, and all the amenities of hotel guests. Portillo also offers cheaper accommodations, some of which can be booked shared-room hostel-style, in the nearby Octagon Lodge, which offers all hotel amenities, and the Inca Lodge, which only offers limited amenities. 

It’s worth noting that no matter where you stay on site at Portillo, there are significant restrictions on when you can arrive and depart. The resort’s accommodations only allow arrivals and departures on Wednesday and Saturday, meaning guests can only stay in 3, 4, or 7-night intervals. In addition, all of these accommodations come with lift ticket and meal plans as standard, so you won’t need to head to the ticket window or pick up groceries.

For those who want to only ski or ride Portillo for less than half a week, the resort is a doable—albeit tiring—day trip from Santiago, provided one gets up very early and road conditions are clear. Parking is free and first-come, first-serve. 

RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR PORTILLO

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Après-Ski

Portillo isn’t the biggest party mountain out there, but those staying at the hotel can enjoy a communal après-ski scene with other guests. The bar in the hotel is the place to wind down and grab a few drinks after a day on the slopes. However, true nightlife, such as dance clubs and live music, is not a thing here.

Heli-Skiing

But for thrills outside the boundaries of the ski area, what is decidedly a thing here is an extensive heli-skiing operation. Heli drops go for $480 for the first run and $240 for each following run, making for a much more feasible entry-level price than at many competing operations. Heli-skiing requests can be made at the hotel or over email, but requesting to sign up does not guarantee a space, as weather conditions and high demand can get in the way of serving everyone who wants to go. The heli-skiing presence at Portillo is clear, with tons of low-flying helicopters visible around the resort throughout the day, even directly above some of the lifts. This is something that would never fly (no pun intended) in North America.

Verdict

Portillo isn’t perfect, but it has so many unique features that it still ends up in the top-tier of must-hit destinations for those hoping to visit South America. The resort’s lift infrastructure, skiable footprint size, and family-oriented terrain do fall somewhat short of certain competitors, but if iconic views and an extreme skiing experience are in your purview, it’s hard to find a better in-bounds experience in the Southern Hemisphere.

Pricing

While lodging can be quite pricey with minimum stay requirements, lift tickets are fairly reasonable for what you get, with 1-day adult rates going for $62 USD during peak times at the ticket window without the lunch add-on, and $76 USD with the lunch add-on. During low-season times, adult tickets drop as low as $47 USD. Like most South American ski resorts, Portillo isn’t on any multi-resort pass products, but if you’re traveling all the way out here, you’re probably going to Portillo, and Portillo alone.

If you have an Ikon Pass product for the 2025-26 season, you may need to make in-advance reservations for lift access to certain resorts. This reservation system opened up on August 4, 2025, allowing guests to start securing spots at participating mountains. But with many of Ikon’s most popular mountains requiring these reservations, do you need to commit now to secure your spot? In this piece, we’ve compiled all you need to know about Ikon’s reservation system—and whether you should rush to figure out your itinerary if you haven’t already.

Which Ikon Pass mountains require reservations for lift access?

The following Ikon resorts will require reservations for the 2025-26 season:

• Jackson Hole, WY

• Aspen / Snowmass, CO

• Summit at Snoqualmie / Alpental, WA

• Loon, NH

• Deer Valley, UT

Reservations are no longer required at:

• Big Sky, MT

The following resort is no longer on the pass for 2025-26:

• Windham, NY

Which Ikon products does this policy apply to?

All Ikon products, including the full Ikon Pass, Ikon Base and Base Plus Passes, and Ikon Session Passes, require reservations at the aforementioned mountains.

Do you need to book your reservations on August 4 to secure your spot?

No—if previous seasons are any indicator, reservations to these mountains will not fill up on day one, even at the most popular mountains on the busiest days. But if you already have your vacation booked, there’s no harm to securing your reservation now so you don’t forget to do so later.

When will Ikon Pass reservations really start to fill up?

Based on previous years, we expect that Ikon Pass reservations will start to fill up by the middle of the fall. Holidays and peak weekends at top-tier destinations such as Jackson Hole and Aspen will be the first to go, with the other destinations following shortly after.

For the most hassle-free experience, try to secure your reservations before mid-October, assuming you are visiting on a weekend or holiday. That said, if you plan to visit these mountains on off-peak weekdays (i.e. Monday through Thursday on a non-school vacation week), you may be able to wait until the day of to book your reservation.

If a reservation date is completely full, is there any chance it will open up?

Yes—if you check back religiously, chances are you can snag a spot, even if your date has already filled up. Others may cancel their reservations, or resorts may open more spots depending on expected snow conditions.

However, if you don’t want to deal with the stress of being in this situation and checking the Ikon website four or five times per day, it’s best to secure your reservations early.

Can you cancel your Ikon Pass reservations if you decide you don’t want to ski/ride on a particular day?

Yes, you can cancel your reservations up until 9am the date of your visit with no penalties. So even if you aren’t 100% sure of your itinerary, it may be a good idea to secure your spot now, and revisit later if need be.

It’s worth noting that if you do not show up or cancel after that time on the date of your reservation, you may be restricted from making or taking advantage of future reservations.

Is there a limit to the number of Ikon reservations one can make at a time?

Yes—passholders can only make reservations for up to the number of dates of access they have at each mountain—meaning seven for each mountain with the full Ikon Pass, five for each mountain with the Ikon Base and Base Plus Passes, and two to four total depending on the Ikon Session Pass product (none of the reservation-mandating mountains offer unlimited access on Ikon).

As a result, passholders can’t “over-reserve” if there are a lot of potential dates they want to secure spots for.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Ikon passholders won’t need to scramble to secure their reservations on August 4 for access to Jackson Hole, Aspen Snowmass, and other popular resorts. But these reservations will begin to fill during the fall for peak weekends and holidays, and while spots do open up sporadically, passholders will save themselves a lot of hassle by booking reservations as early as possible. If you’re not 100% sure of your itinerary, you can always cancel your reservations up until the day of with no penalty!

Not sure of whether the Ikon Pass is right for you? Check out our in-depth comparison between the Ikon, Epic, Mountain Collective, and Indy pass products. Additionally, you can check out our Ikon Pass mountain reviews here.

Background

When it comes to skiing and riding in the United States, the state of Oregon has long been a strong regional choice for those in the Pacific Northwest. That’s why recent events in the state have been so alarming, with a business environment that has quietly become the most hostile in the country for ski resort operations. And due to developments in the state in recent weeks, there is a real possibility that every major ski resort in the state could soon be legally barred from opening.

So what’s exactly happened, and how likely is the so-called “nuclear” scenario to actually happen? Well, in this piece, we’ll go through the series of events that made Oregon uniquely susceptible to the crisis it currently faces, whether any other states have faced similar issues, and how the state could feasibly dig itself out of the hole it now finds itself in—despite the fact that it currently may not have the political will to do so. Let’s jump into one of the least known impending catastrophes in the American ski industry.

Oregon’s Outdoor Liability Insurance Background

The crisis that Oregon currently faces primarily boils down to one factor: liability insurance. For many decades, ski resort liability insurance worked generally the same in Oregon as it did in other states. Liability waivers have long served as the legal backbone of the outdoor recreation industry, allowing ski resorts and adventure operators to function in high-risk environments without the constant threat of catastrophic lawsuits. In most Western states, these waivers are enforceable so long as they’re clear and voluntary, shielding operators from claims arising from “ordinary negligence”—think catching an edge, hitting a tree, or colliding with another skier or rider. This legal clarity gives insurers confidence, enables resorts to keep their premiums in check, and arguably helps keep lift ticket rates at practical levels too.

But in Oregon about a decade ago, a series of legal events completely upended all of that.

Bagley v. Mt. Bachelor: The Case that Shook the Foundations

In 2006, 18-year-old Myles Bagley was snowboarding at Central Oregon’s Mount Bachelor when he hit a jump in the resort’s terrain park. Unfortunately, the landing went horribly wrong. Bagley suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He later argued the jump was defectively designed and unsafe.

Like most snowboarders and skiers, Bagley had signed a liability waiver when he purchased his season pass. The agreement released Mount Bachelor from responsibility for injuries, even those resulting from negligence. Despite this, Bagley filed a lawsuit, claiming the resort had acted recklessly in building the terrain feature.

What followed was a years-long legal battle that culminated in a landmark 2014 Oregon Supreme Court decision: Bagley v. Mt. Bachelor.

In a ruling that reverberated across the outdoor recreation industry, the court declared Mount Bachelor’s liability waiver unenforceable. The court determined the contract was both unconscionable and against public policy, effectively invalidating essentially every liability waiver used in the state at the time.

The justices emphasized three main points in their decision: (1) the waiver was a contract of adhesion—non-negotiable and imposed by a party with disproportionate power; (2) skiers and riders had no ability to modify the terms, and thus no meaningful choice, and (3) perhaps most critically, the waiver attempted to release the resort from liability even for its own negligent conduct. The court found these circumstances contrary to Oregon’s legal principles, arguing it disincentivized safety and violated the public interest.

On paper, the ruling was intended to preserve legal recourse for seriously injured parties. But unfortunately, it eventually became clear that the decision, while presumably well intentioned, had taken things a little bit too far.

2014-2025: Lawsuits, Rate Spikes & Retreating Insurers

Over the next decade, Oregon’s ski industry entered a treacherous state. With liability waivers rendered largely unenforceable by the Bagley ruling, insurance companies began viewing the state as toxic territory. This came as injured patrons at ski resorts—and even summer recreation users—started suing more effectively, with damage demands climbing into the tens of millions.

The first major post-Bagley case took shape in 2016, when a mountain biker at Mount Hood Skibowl was paralyzed after hitting a drainage rut and colliding with an unpadded wooden post along a downhill trail. Although the incident occurred during the summer, not the winter season, the case had major implications for the liability environment surrounding outdoor recreation in Oregon. In 2022, a jury awarded the rider over $11 million in damages, ruling that Skibowl had failed to take reasonable safety precautions despite signage and waiver protections. It was one of the largest single verdicts against a recreation operator in Oregon history, and in response, Skibowl completely shut down their bike park operations and hasn’t restarted them since.

The legal risk wasn’t limited to Skibowl. Mount Bachelor also became a focal point for legal scrutiny, with two $15 million wrongful death suits following a pair of 2018 tree well fatalities, and a nearly $50 million claim filed after a child’s 2021 death after sliding into rocks on an icy run. Even community-oriented areas like Mount Ashland—despite facing no public lawsuits—reported being overwhelmed by rising insurance costs. The resort’s general manager noted a 129% increase in liability premiums over 12 years, with another 30% spike expected in 2025.

But it wasn’t just increasing premiums that occurred. By early 2025, brokers reported that fewer and fewer firms were willing to even consider underwriting ski resorts in Oregon. Outdoor recreation companies formed coalitions like Protect Oregon Recreation to plead for legal reform, warning that without enforceable waivers or other liability shields, the state’s entire outdoor recreation industry—not just ski resorts, but also including bike parks, rock gyms, and river rafting companies among others—was at risk. The insurance market was drying up, and fast.

Specifically when it comes to ski resorts, one potential indicator of these legal and financial pressures is how unpredictable Oregon’s terrain openings have become. Despite reasonably strong snowfall most seasons, resorts like Mount Bachelor and Mount Hood Meadows are consistently among the least resilient in terms of terrain access—and in a recent analysis, we ranked Oregon dead last for reliability among major ski regions. There’s no doubt that weather plays a major role here—Oregon’s maritime precipitation and volcanic geography can complicate slope cover and safe operations—but many in the industry believe the state’s legal environment only makes things worse. Resorts may be incentivized to act overly cautiously given the threat of excruciating lawsuits, keeping trails closed longer than necessary out of fear that a misstep could result in litigation. Anecdotally, the Summit Express lift at Mount Bachelor, which directly served the terrain where the 2021 death took place, was closed continuously for a period of approximately a month later that same season; it’s possible that conditions justified this closure, but this was an especially long suspension, even for this fickle terrain zone, and it’s easy to see the resort opting to err on the side of legal caution given the circumstances.

The Breaking Point: Safehold’s Exit and the Last Insurer Standing

So if it’s been over a decade since the Bagley ruling, why are we bringing all of this up now? In June 2025, the Oregon insurance situation went from precarious to existential. Safehold Special Risk, a major ski industry insurer that covered resorts like Mount Hood Meadows, Timberline Lodge, and Cooper Spur, announced it was pulling out of Oregon entirely. In doing so, it said Oregon had become unworkable: although the state accounted for only a fraction of its clients, it produced half of its $1M–$10M payouts.

That exit left Oregon with just one viable ski resort insurer: MountainGuard. MountainGuard, a legacy provider with national reach, has continued to serve the state—but not without concern. Its leadership made clear that a single massive verdict could force them to reassess. Should MountainGuard exit as well, no insurer may be willing to step in. And because without insurance, resorts can’t legally operate, this move would completely and immediately shut down every Oregon ski resort.

Legislative Attempts to Fix the Isssue

So given this pending catastrophe, has Oregon’s government made any efforts to address it? Well, at least claiming to recognize the growing crisis, Oregon’s state legislature has proposed several bills over the last decade, all aiming to restore partial legal protection for outdoor recreation operators.

In 2025, the most promising was Senate Bill 1196, which would have allowed liability waivers to cover ordinary negligence—but not gross or reckless misconduct. A similar House bill, HB 3140, had the same aim. Supporters said this was a common-sense compromise already in place in most other Western states. It would have brought Oregon in line with its neighbors while still allowing injured parties to sue in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

The bills initially gained momentum. SB 1196 advanced through the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle signaled they would support the bill if it came to a vote. In fact, multiple state legislators and even Governor Tina Kotek indicated they would sign the bill into law if it passed the House and Senate.

But despite committee approval and apparent legislative support, neither SB 1196 nor HB 3140 were brought to a floor vote before the end of the 2025 session. Trial lawyer groups lobbied heavily against the reform, arguing it would strip injured parties of their right to sue and reduce incentives for resorts to maintain safe conditions. And in the end, legislative leadership declined to advance the bills to the floor, effectively killing them.

The failure was a huge disappointment for resort operators and insurance carriers alike. It marked the third time in ten years that similar legislation had failed in Oregon. And with this specific defeat, the state’s recreation industry moved to the precarious point at which it finds itself today. Indeed, Safehold had explicitly warned lawmakers it would exit the state if these reforms didn’t pass. When the bills died, Safehold made good on that promise—pulling out of Oregon and sending a clear message that the state would pay a steep price for its inaction.

The Catastrophe: What Happens If the Insurance Disappears?

If Oregon’s last major ski insurer, MountainGuard, pulls out of the state, the effects would be both immediate and far-reaching.

Ski resorts that operate on Forest Service land, like Mount Bachelor, Mount Hood Meadows, and Timberline Lodge, are legally required to carry general liability insurance to maintain their permits. Without it, they’d be forced to shut down operations overnight. And that sudden stop wouldn’t just hit the slopes. Entire communities would feel the aftershocks.

Towns like Government Camp, Ashland, and Bend depend on consistent winter and summer visitation to support their tourism economies. Hotels, restaurants, gear shops, ski schools, and shuttle services would all be thrown into crisis. The liability issue stretches beyond skiing, too—rock gyms, rafting companies, zipline tours, mountain bike parks, and even climbing guides all rely on similar liability protections and insurance to stay afloat. If Oregon can’t find a fix, the state’s entire outdoor recreation economy could begin to unravel.

Central Oregon would be hit hardest. Over the past two decades, Bend has evolved from a modest town into a booming four-season destination, with outdoor recreation as the cornerstone of its growth. Its population has more than doubled since 2000, and a significant portion of its winter economy revolves around Mount Bachelor, Oregon’s biggest ski resort by a significant margin. While according to locals we interviewed, the resort struggled under mismanagement during what they called POWDR Corp’s “dark ages” in the mid-to-late 2000s, things turned around after POWDR infamously lost Park City and shifted its attention back to Bachelor, significantly boosting investment and bringing about a rebound in winter visitation.

A forced shutdown—triggered not by mismanagement but by insurance collapse—could send Bend into another economic slump. And since Bachelor operates a popular summer bike park, the fallout wouldn’t be limited to just ski season. Bend sees nearly twice as many visitors in summer as in winter, and the ripple effects of a shutdown would be felt year-round.

But if MountainGuard does leave, would the shutdown be permanent? Well, despite the catastrophic consequences in the interim, probably not.

A complete collapse of Oregon’s ski industry would force the state’s hand. While lawmakers have failed to pass legal reform in previous sessions, a full-scale closure would almost certainly bring enormous political pressure to act. We’d almost certainly see a fast-tracked bill to reauthorize liability waivers for ordinary negligence (something like SB 1196), and likely additional action through an emergency legislative session to get the industry back on its feet.

Still, a fix wouldn’t restore operations overnight. Insurers that have already fled the state may not return immediately, especially if legal uncertainty lingers. The state might have to lean on short-term solutions like government-backed risk pools or cooperative insurance programs. And even if those stopgaps work, rebuilding trust with national insurers could take years.

So while Oregon’s ski resorts might not be shuttered forever, the disruption would be deeply damaging—and the recovery could be long and uneven—for businesses and communities alike.

How Oregon Could Dig Itself Out: The Idaho Precedent

So has any other state ever faced something like this? Oregon’s path forward might seem uncertain, but it’s not without precedent. In fact, just next door in Idaho, the ski industry faced a similarly dire moment—and ultimately managed to stabilize the situation before it spiraled out of control.

The crisis in Idaho began in 2023, when the state’s Supreme Court allowed a wrongful death lawsuit against Sun Valley to proceed, despite the state’s long-standing Ski Area Liability Act. The case involved a skier who crashed into a snowmaking tower and suffered fatal injuries, and the court’s initial ruling opened the door to potential jury trials for incidents that had traditionally been considered part of the inherent risk of skiing. The decision sparked panic among resort operators, who feared a flood of litigation and a potential loss of insurance coverage. Bogus Basin even began adding extra signage around equipment purely as a legal precaution.

But in a rare about-face, the Idaho Supreme Court reversed course in mid-2025. The justices determined that because the hazard was clearly marked and padded, the skier had assumed the risk—meaning the resort was not liable under Idaho’s statute. The decision reinstated critical liability protections, and lawmakers are now working to clarify and strengthen the law further in the next legislative session. Just a few years earlier, Idaho also passed legislation upholding waiver enforceability for outfitters and guides, signaling a broader commitment to protecting the outdoor recreation economy.

The lesson for Oregon? Even when the legal foundation starts to crack, a coordinated response from courts and lawmakers can restore balance. While Oregon’s situation is further along than Idaho’s was—and arguably more severe too—there’s still a window for action.

How Much Time Does Oregon Have to Act?

So just how long is this window for action we just mentioned? Well, based on the current legal landscape and timeline of active cases, the threat is probably not quite as immediate as the next few months. However, the lack of urgency with which the Oregon legislature seems to be handling this means they could be setting themselves up for a historic fumble.

The “Ticking Time Bomb” Lawsuits

So realistically-speaking, what could actually happen that would cause MountainGuard to leave—and consequently trigger a statewide resort shutdown? Well, the company did cite that a single major verdict could cause it to leave the state, and a few major cases making their way through the legal system could very well be the “nuclear verdict” that would force the company’s hand. Take, for example, the most high-profile active case: a $6.2 million lawsuit filed in early 2025 by a ski coach who was struck by a snowmobile at Mount Hood Meadows. While the case is likely months away from settlement or trial, it is significant—and could result in a large payout. In addition, the wrongful-death lawsuit against Mount Bachelor, which seeks nearly $50 million in damages, is still winding through the legal process after being filed in August 2022. There could be other non-public cases or other factors that could cause MountainGuard to leave in the coming months too; for example, the Mount Hood Skibowl case that forced the mountain to shut down its bike park wasn’t even reported on until the eight-figure verdict came down. 

The Oregon Government’s Leisurely Timeline

So how should we look at these cases now? Well, for the state of Oregon, there’s some good news and some bad news. The good news is that while these cases remain a looming threat, they’re unlikely to reach a verdict or settlement before this fall’s insurance renewal period. Most Oregon ski resorts operate on annual insurance cycles that renew in September or October, so unless something unexpected like an accelerated settlement or surprise verdict happens, it’s likely that MountainGuard will remain in the Oregon market for at least one more winter.

But here’s the bad news: the threat hasn’t gone away, and the major lawsuits currently in motion could very well result in eight-figure payouts over the next 12 to 18 months, which could force MountainGuard to exit before the 2026-27 season. But perhaps the most concerning part of this whole situation is there’s very little chance the state will act in time to prevent that outcome. Oregon’s next legislative session won’t be until February 2026, which is already over six months from now at this point. But in even years, the state’s legislative session is just 35 days long, practically only allowing for priorities like budgets, transportation, housing, and public safety—and making it exceedingly unlikely that liability reform would even be considered for debate. It is worth caveating that in recent days, an emergency session was called for this upcoming August; however, it’s narrowly focused on transportation funding and transit layoffs, so the chances of liability insurance being taken up are essentially slim to none. So unless another emergency session is called or a surprise court ruling comes about, the legal environment is unlikely to improve before February 2027—and by that point, there’s a concerningly real chance it will be too late.

Final Thoughts

The collapse of Oregon’s ski resort liability protections was set in motion by a tragic injury and what one could reasonably assume was a well-meaning court ruling. But a decade later, the lack of a legislative fix threatens the survival of the state’s entire ski industry. 

Ultimately, the sky isn’t falling quite right now, and it’s more likely than not Oregon’s ski industry will have one more season of insurance left. However, if no action is taken soon, the window to avoid a full-scale coverage collapse in the coming months could close fast. For now, all eyes are on the legislature, the courts, and the lone insurer left.

So with all of this being said, is there any way you can take action? Well the biggest way is if you live in Oregon, contact your state legislators and tell them how you feel. If you don’t live in Oregon, consider supporting organizations like Protect Oregon Recreation, which are actively lobbying for legal reform in this space and could use all the help they can get. And finally, no matter where you live, tell your friends and family about this—the more people who put pressure on the key players here, the more likely lawmakers are to prioritize solutions before there isn’t a ski season anymore.