Perched on top of a narrow ridge, the small base area at Valle Nevado is not conducive to many outdoor winter activities beyond the skiing and boarding. There is not much room left for activities such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding or sleigh rides!
Valle Nevado has a few indoor activities on offer in case you need some R&R or a storm sets in. The resort also has various timetabled activities such as bingo games or fashion shows.
Valle Nevado Heli Skiing
If all the in-bounds terrain at Valle Nevado is not enough for you, there’s always Valle Nevado heli skiing that operates directly from the base village. You can do just two runs or as many as your thighs or dinero will allow. You don’t have to be a stunt skier to go heli skiing, and will manage just fine if you’re an advanced rider and have at least a little powder experience. The runs are generally long and the scenery absolutely spectacular.
This is likely to be an amazing experience but it would want to be because the heli skiing has a few major shortcomings. Firstly it is incredibly expensive. The cost for two to three runs is almost as much as what you’d pay for a full day of heli skiing in North America. The second problem is that for financial reasons they only take out loads of 4 people, so if there are only 2 other people that want to go they won’t take you out (unless you pay even more money).
The major shortcoming is that it’s very disorganized and they don’t take bookings or deposits for the heli skiing the day or evening prior, so no one is truly committed. It’s incredibly laid back and they tell potential guests to turn up on the day at about 9am….ish. We witnessed one poor guy turn up and wait around for a couple of hours because there were possibly 3 Brazilians that wanted to go out. They never turned up and he wasted a couple of hours. Same thing happened the next day…..
Backcountry Ski Tours
If the fresh tracks are long gone inside the boundaries of the ski resort, the other option is a backcountry tour. There are a few local guides (e.g. from Base Camp and Lodge Mirador in Farellones) that run guided tours of the Santa Teresa area between El Colorado and Valle Nevado. This is for experts only as it’s a very gnarly ride!
Otherwise if you’re on a
multi-resort tour, backcountry guiding can be incorporated into your trip.
Family Activities Valle Nevado
A torch light parade is held every Saturday night weather permitting.
The kids’ (or big kids) games room at Hotel Puerto del Sol and the Wii console is popular for a spot of indoor tennis.
Leisure Activities
The hotel concierge can organise various tours such as gourmet winery tours with transport via helicopter!
Relaxation
There is a fully equipped gymnasium at Hotel Valle Nevado, and if you don’t find lifting weights, aerobics or dance classes particularly relaxing, they also have a day spa offering massages, facials and other treatments.
The epicenter of relaxation and socialization is the large hot tub out the front of the Mirador del Ploma.
