For elite skiers and snowboarders, the Northern Hemisphere summer presents a difficult problem. World Cup athletes and Olympic hopefuls need quality snow to prepare for the upcoming season, but most of the major ski areas in North America and Europe are closed for the summer. That is where Chile becomes an important part of the international ski calendar.
Located high in the Andes outside Santiago, Valle Nevado Ski Resort offers something few destinations can match. Its winter arrives during the Northern Hemisphere summer, providing professional athletes with an opportunity to train on snow while much of the ski world is waiting for winter to return.
The resort has attracted elite names including Mikaela Shiffrin and Shaun White, showing off Valle Nevado’s longstanding role as a destination for high-level ski and snowboard training.
Snow When the Northern Hemisphere Is in Summer
The biggest advantage for Valle Nevado is pretty obvious. Chile’s ski season runs during the opposite time of year from resorts in the United States and Europe.
Valle Nevado is one of the largest and highest skiable domains in the Andes, with the resort located at approximately 9,924 feet above sea level. Its south-facing location helps provide favorable snow conditions and has made snow central to its identity since opening in 1988.
For professional athletes that seasonal advantage can be extremely valuable. Rather than spending months away from snow, racers and freestyle athletes can continue working on technique, equipment, and competition preparation during the Northern Hemisphere offseason.
High Altitude Adds Another Training Element
Valle Nevado’s elevation also gives athletes a unique environment in which to train.
The resort sits more than 9,840 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level, while its surrounding Andes terrain reaches substantially higher elevations. Valle Nevado’s own facilities emphasize maintaining training and recovery at high altitude, with a fitness center equipped for strength and conditioning work alongside its ski terrain.
The combination of skiing at elevation and spending time in a high mountain environment makes a Chilean training camp different from simply visiting a summer glacier. Athletes can use the resort as a base for extended training while having access to lodging, fitness facilitiesm and other services in one location.
Valle Nevado Builds Around Serious Skiing
The resort also has infrastructure designed to support athletes beyond ordinary recreational skiing. Valle Nevado’s ski and snowboard school has more than 30 years of experience and offers dedicated competition and training programs. The school employs more than 150 certified instructors and organizes international competitions and high-level events.
That competitive focus is also visible in the resort’s event calendar. Valle Nevado has hosted international freestyle competitions, including the Andes Cup, which brought snowboard and freeski athletes to the resort for Slopestyle and Big Air competition.
Why Chile Matters to Elite Athletes
The appeal of Valle Nevado ultimately comes down to timing, elevation and infrastructure.
When summer arrives across the United States and Europe, the Andes are entering their prime ski season. Valle Nevado combines that seasonal advantage with high-altitude terrain and an established ski operation that supports training, competition and athlete recovery.
