Snowboarding the Andes Mountains at Valle Nevado

For a very long time snowboarding has been a type of issues I’ve at all times needed to attempt to study, however by no means discovered the opportune second to take action. Granted, the exercise is sort of fairly depending on a number of issues: snow, gear, steadiness… you get the drill. However alas, it has lastly occurred! With a number of days to spare in Santiago I made my method to the close by Andes Mountains to study to snowboard at Valle Nevado… right here’s the way it went down.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t too unhealthy. I believe the trick to snowboarding must be sluggish and regular… and naturally to coach your mind to look the place you need to go, and your board/physique will observe. All in all a 10/10 expertise!

Valle Nevado Evaluation

After touring to greater than 50 nations throughout 6 continents, I’m considerably (very) ashamed to say that earlier than my go to to Valle Nevado in the Andes Mountains, I needed to today by no means realized to ski or snowboard. So with every week scheduled in Santiago, the capital of Chile, I jumped at the alternative to journey the quick 1.5 hours to the foothills of the Andes Mountains and tick one other ‘should do’ off my bucket checklist.

Early on Friday morning I used to be collected from my resort in Santiago by my driver from Santiago Adventures for the switch to Valle Nevado. Though site visitors will be considerably unpredictable, we have been lucky sufficient to reach at the ski resort simply 90 minutes after departing Santiago.

As soon as there, I checked in to my resort – Resort Puerto del Sol – one in every of three properties in the Valle Nevado assortment.

Valle Nevado Terrain

Valle Nevado is famend in Latin America for being one in every of the greatest ski resorts on supply in Chile. Each the native and worldwide ski clientele make their approach right here for the mixture of nice ski situations and lifts, good resort lodging and affordable service.

There’s no scarcity of snow with a mean of seven meters snowfall yearly, making for an gratifying season. Whereas non-guests of the resort can go to with a day go, to my shock the ski runs weren’t overly crowded and there was loads of area to get in the groove of issues (and masterfully fall a number of occasions).

Should you’re a beginner or seeking to enhance your expertise, I strongly counsel reserving a snowboard lesson with Ashley, a fellow Australian who has been at the resort for the final 15 years and snowboarding for double the time. Certainly, he performed a big half in introducing the sport in Australia a few years in the past and his ardour for the sport makes the lesson completely gratifying, while additionally very informative and may have you feeling assured on the board very quickly.

Valle Nevado Lodging

The resort itself presents an affordable normal of lodging for Chile, nonetheless falls considerably in need of worldwide requirements contemplating that is the pricier possibility of the resorts in the Andes. Whereas Valle Nevado supply a cushty keep, the decor is dated and in want of refurbishment, in addition to a combined normal of service all through the resort. The reception employees have been welcoming and spoke a little bit English, nonetheless at occasions service elsewhere felt extremely chilly and uninviting. That is nonetheless to be anticipated in Latin America, as service could be very contact and go all through the area.

If that is your first time to Valle Nevado, remember to ask for as a lot info as doable at the time of check-in as info was not voluntarily supplied at check-in and there was no listing in the room to offer friends with all the crucial info.

The rooms are fundamental however supply all the requirements – a tv, rest room facilities, and a cushty mattress. Make sure to request your choice upfront nonetheless, as I used to be fairly shocked to see a twin bedding configuration for solo occupancy. My room was additionally an interconnecting room, that means that I had little or no safety from sound subsequent door. The view from my balcony was nonetheless spectacular, and I will surely suggest paying a little bit additional for the view alone.

Half Board charges embody breakfast and dinner, which is an effective way to expertise the remainder of the property and dine in a number of of the eating places all through your keep. Service is nonetheless sluggish, so in case you’re seeking to get out and in quick after an extended day on the slops look no additional than the buffet restaurant at Resort Puerto del Sol.

Guide this Resort If…

Valle Nevado is a good selection in case you’re searching for the greatest on supply by the use of ski resorts in the Andes Mountains. Nonetheless by worldwide requirements, it falls considerably in need of expectations. Service was both actually nice with a choose few employees members or impossibly troublesome with the nice majority. Whereas it has the potential to be nice, Valle Nevado is not going to meet your expectations in case you frequent ski resorts round the globe. Nonetheless on a constructive observe that’s all a part of the Valle Nevado appeal – it’s rustic, genuine, and positively Chilean.

World of Wanderlust was welcomed to this resort as a visitor of Valle Nevado, nonetheless my opinion is as at all times, my very own.