We’ve been keeping our eye on weather patterns in the Southern Hemisphere and things are shaping up for massive snow event in the Andes. Chilean ski resorts like Portillo and Valle Nevado are looking like they about to get hammered with snow and it’s not too late to for a last minute trip of a lifetime.
Here’s what you need to do to pull it off:
-Look for the cheapest possible flight to Santiago, Chile and plan on staying for the duration of the storm. Can’t tell you how much you’re going to spend but if you can get there for under $1,000 you can consider it a win.
-Getting from Chile’s capital city to the mountains is a fairly straightforward 2 hour drive. Either rent a car or book a seat in a shuttle to get you to the resort (around $200 roundtrip). With both of these mountains, having a car isn’t necessary once you’re there, so a shuttle up and back will do you just fine.
-If you’re really considering this trip, you more than likely already have a garage full of ski gear. For a last minute trip like this, we highly recommend bringing your own ski gear to avoid the hassle of rentals. Plus, in an epic storm like this, you want the gear you know to ensure the best time possible.
-Lodging at the legendary yellow and blue ski Hotel Portillo does not come cheap, and booking a last minute suite might be pretty darn difficult. At Ski Portillo, trips are set up in weeks, with bundles providing housing, lift tickets, and access to hotel amenities. For one person to stay at the mountain from July 27 to August 3, the cheapest price I was able to find was $2,600, or around $371 a day.
Booking at Valle Nevado already seems pretty difficult, but I could find a three night visit from July 30 to August 2 for $3,354. Like Ski Portillo, that includes lift tickets, access to entertainment, hot tub and fitness center, and breakfast and dinner. If you have an Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective Pass, or a Power Pass, you might have access to Valle Nevado without a day ticket, so make sure to look. Otherwise, day tickets can be purchased for less than $50 USD.
This upcoming storm has the potential to be the most epic ski week of the year. If you can take the time and spend the money, there’s a very good chance you won’t regret it.
