Mountain Review: Nevados de Chillán
MOUNTAIN SCORE
#1 in Chile
66
#1 in South America
CATEGORY BREAKDOWN
See our criteria
8
Snow:
5
Resiliency:
6
Size:
8
Terrain Diversity:
8
Challenge:
3
Lifts:
7
Crowd Flow:
6
Facilities:
6
Navigation:
9
Mountain Aesthetic:
GOOD TO KNOW
1-Day Ticket: 68,000-85,000 CLP ($70-$88 USD)
Pass Affiliation: None
On-site Lodging: Yes
Après-Ski: Moderate
Nearest Cities: Santiago (6 hrs)
Recommended Ability Level:
+ Pros
Snow accumulation for South America
Diverse terrain, including exceptional off piste expert areas
Striking and unique volcanic footprint and surroundings
Local feel
– Cons
Dated lift network
Variable terrain openings due to wind and elevation
MOUNTAIN STATS
Skiable Footprint: 1,375 acres
Total Footprint: 2,720 acres
Lift-Serviced Terrain: 100%
Top Elevation: 7,883 ft
Vertical Drop: 2,851 ft
Lifts: 11
Trails: 28
Beginner: 15%
Intermediate: 54%
Advanced/Expert: 31%
VIDEO REVIEW
Mountain Review
Ever wanted to ski on a complex of active stratovolcanoes which occasionally spews ash tens of thousands of feet into the atmosphere? Nevados de Chillán, a ski resort in central Chile that offers skiing and riding quite a bit south of most of the destinations in the country, may just be the place for you. Now, massive eruptions massive are so rare and slow-rolling that you don't really need to worry about them safety-wise as a visitor. But they do make one thing clear: Nevados de Chillán sits on an incredibly unique volcano footprint that makes for a number of differentiating factors versus other resorts in the country. So do Nevados de Chillán’s unique geographical traits make it worth your money on your next South American ski trip?
Snow
Perhaps the biggest distinguishing factor for Nevados de Chillán is its snow. The resort consistently ranks among the snowiest lift-served ski areas in South America, and it’s not just a little bit snowier than the best-known ski resorts in the region—the mountain’s regular 300-inch accumulation over the course of a four-month season is nearly 50% higher than what you might expect at the better-known resorts around Santiago and Bariloche. It’s worth noting that due in large part to its lower elevation and wetter climate compared to the resorts closer to Santiago, Nevados de Chillán’s snow does tend to be heavier than what you’d find further north. But the sheer volume makes for far more reliable skiing conditions, and the resort is ultimately one of the best bets for powder days in the country.
Size and Terrain Layout
Nevados de Chillán’s impressive snowfall is complemented by standout terrain. The resort spans about 1,375 skiable acres, which is on par with many other resorts in Chile, but it offers an impressively diverse layout for its size, with terrain that transitions dramatically as you move up the mountain. The mountain also boasts a strong vertical drop of over 2,850 feet (869 meters), giving skiers and riders long, sustained runs that make full use of the resort’s varied terrain.
Nevados de Chillán features a striking footprint, with unique hardwood forests covering lower elevations and active volcanoes surrounding upper mountain areas.
So what exactly makes Nevados de Chillán’s terrain so unique? The lower sections are below treeline and resemble the rolling hills and hardwood forests one might see in the Northeast U.S.—albeit with some decidedly unique tree species—while the upper mountain opens into wide-open bowls flanked by volcanic rock and stunning peaks. The transition between these two very different looking terrain areas is something that has to be seen to be believed (one might argue that it looks like someone pasted two completely different topographical environments on top of one another), and ultimately, the terrain diversity per acre might be the best of any South American resort we’ve visited. There’s also something to be said about the near-alpine areas right before the vegetation disappears; the lightly-spaced alpine shrubs are downright exotic compared to the pines in near-treeline areas nearly everyone used to skiing or riding in North America will be familiar with.
Mountain Aesthetic
That dramatic shift in terrain also sets the tone for Nevados de Chillán’s overall aesthetic, which is among the most unique you’ll find at a South American ski resort. On top of the natural diversity we just mentioned, the resort just has a much different character than the more commercial-feeling ski resorts further north. From the top, you can see views of lines of peaks within the vicinity of the resort, several of which are active volcanoes that top out well above where you can ski. The resort's lifts are painted red, and while this might sound like a minor detail on the surface, these lifts add a visually iconic contrast to the volcanoes and boreal trees. The resort also feels far more local than one might expect, with very little in the way of excess buildup or commercialization. In fact, you might find yourself skiing or riding by a random hotel tucked away in the woods off a trail—or even passing some abandoned huts if you venture further off the beaten path.
TRAIL MAP
Beginner Terrain
Nevados de Chillán features much friendlier beginner options than most Santiago-area resorts, making it a stronger destination for newer skiers and riders. Both lower-mountain chairlifts serve mellow groomers that wind through the woods, and there are two dedicated beginner complexes: one with a chairlift and rope tows near the main base, and another with surface lifts at the lower base area near Hotel Nevados. That said, there’s no beginner terrain on the upper mountain, so guests will need to progress in proficiency to access the resort’s full footprint.
Intermediate Terrain
Intermediate skiers and riders will technically unlock access to all of Nevados de Chillán's terrain areas. The resort’s blue-square runs provide enjoyable cruising terrain, all of which is consistently groomed. It's especially worth noting the very long top-to-bottom Tres Marías/Golf run, which spans the resort's entire vertical drop through especially remote areas and offers some of the most unique views at the resort, especially near the top in its above-treeline part. However, it's worth noting that this long, roundabout route is the only blue route down from the resort summit—and that this trail doesn't return to the main base without a lift ride from the lower mountain—so guests will need to try something more challenging if they want something more direct.
Terrain Parks
Nevados de Chillán does have a terrain park, but it’s really nothing special. The lower-mountain park has some small rails and jumps, but that’s about it.
Nevados de Chillán’s extensive intermediate terrain stands out across multiple mountain areas.
Advanced Terrain
Like most South American ski resorts, Nevados de Chillán has a trail rating between its blue intermediate and black expert runs: the red advanced trail. Only a few of these red runs exist, all of which are in the resort's above-treeline upper mountain, and they are symbolized by a single diamond; interestingly, this diamond is black despite the trail signs being red, and it's the only trail rating symbol on the mountain to have a different color than the sign on which it sits. Those coming from North America will find these runs to be on par with easier blacks (or maybe some harder blues out west), and they are consistently groomed, allowing for some nice speed runs.
Expert and Freeride Terrain
Where Nevados de Chillán truly sets itself apart is in its expert terrain. The first of the two types of expert terrain on the mountain is the marked double-black trail; these runs are quite steep, although they will probably be doable for most advanced skiers and riders. But where experts will really want to check out when they visit Nevados de Chillán is the resort's exceptional freeride areas. This off-piste terrain is vast and steep, with paths through volcano-formed chutes, cliffs, and rock formations that offer some of the coolest lift-served lines one will find on the continent. For those willing to hike, the surrounding volcano peaks can also be toured. If you know what you’re doing, some of the woods surrounding the lower-mountain trails are skiable as well provided good enough snow cover. The resort has historically offered cat skiing to the peak, though this option no longer seems to appear on the website.
Nevados de Chillán’s expert freeride terrain features some of the most unique steeps in South America.
This all being said, entering these areas should not be taken lightly. They are genuinely dangerous if approached without caution; the lack of warning signs off-piste means it’s easy to stumble into serious hazards such as unsendable cliffs, rocks, natural divots, thick woods, or even streams. And perhaps most notably, these areas are especially susceptible to avalanches, and as is common throughout South America, avalanche risk can change even throughout a single day, with afternoons being especially risky. As a result, it's critical to check the most up-to-date forecasts before tackling the freeride areas, and we highly recommend bringing equipment such as an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe. It's also worth noting that some especially appealing-looking terrain is permanently closed by the resort due to safety hazards; while some skiers and riders ignore these closures, they’re in place for good reason and not worth the risk.
Lifts
So Nevados de Chillán has a lot of really good things going for it when it comes to its terrain footprint. However, the resort also has several drawbacks typical of less-developed South American ski areas. Perhaps the most notable of these is the lift network, which is functional but dated. On the plus side, guests can access everything through chairlifts; this isn't a given in South America, where surface lifts are sometimes the only game in town. However, every lift at the resort is slow, and they're not all that comfortable either, utilizing wood or metal slats for seating. And some chairs are downright scary, involving long spans above cliffs or streams that would never get a green light at most U.S. or Canadian ski resorts. And since the resort's vertical rise isn't all that short, there are some particularly lengthy ride times; the Otto chair, which provides the best access to the upper mountain from the base, involves a 17-minute ride from the base to the top terminal. This lift also has an extremely loud motor at the base; in fact, it's so loud that you'll notice the lifties wearing industrial hearing protection. To give the resort some credit, there are mid-unload stations on some of its upper mountain lifts, so you don't always have to ride the full length. The resort also uses modern RFID gates to load the lifts; that being said, there aren't enough RFID gates at each lift to efficiently process the number of guests going on.
One drawback of Nevados de Chillán is its outdated lift network, which consists of slow, often uncomfortable chairlifts.
Resiliency
Another place in which Nevados de Chillán has some drawbacks is in its resiliency. Now, the resort is still on the reliable side for South America thanks in large part to its snow totals, but conditions can vary significantly depending on weather patterns and elevation. The resort’s above-treeline volcano footprint leaves much of the upper mountain heavily exposed to wind, which can lead to frequent lift closures or terrain interruptions during storms. The mountain also faces west and never gets especially cold, so freeze-thaw cycles are common. It’s not unusual to arrive to a sheet of ice in the morning, have conditions soften up to be nice at midday, and end up becoming corny or even slushy by the end of the day. The lower-mountain below-treeline terrain is much more sheltered from these effects, making it the place to be in the morning if fresh snow hasn’t fallen recently.
Crowds
At least one place where Nevados de Chillán isn’t too bad is in its crowds, at least relatively speaking. The mountain does not see the demand that the Santiago-area resorts further north and the largest Argentinian resorts across the border see, making for more reasonable waits during peak times. However, several critical lifts are low-capacity double and triple chairs, so waits do still occur throughout the day. While there are some redundancies within the lift network that help spread out crowds, this isn’t the case everywhere. Throughout a busy day, the base-to-summit Otto double chair we mentioned earlier is probably the most congested.
RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR NEVADOS DE CHILLÁN
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate ski
Recommended advanced ski
Recommended glade ski
Recommended powder ski
Navigation
When it comes to getting around Nevados de Chillán, the resort is more straightforward than certain other South American ski resorts with dilapidated or nonexistent signage. On normal trails, signage is mostly clear and well-maintained, although there are a few areas with comically small trail map postings. One quirk is that lift signs don’t distinguish between chairs and surface lifts, which can be confusing at first, although most guests will eventually figure out that the surface lifts are largely avoidable. As we alluded to earlier, the freeride and off-piste areas are completely devoid of signage and markings, even for hazards. When it comes to physically navigating the mountain, there are a few flat sections—especially on the way down to the lower-mountain base—although they are manageable if you keep your speed. It’s also worth noting that English-speaking staff are significantly fewer and farther between than at the more touristy resorts near Santiago and Bariloche, so it’s really helpful to know at least a little bit of Spanish.
Facilities
When it comes to stopping in for a break at Nevados de Chillán, the resort doesn’t have the fanciest lodges in the world, but they are certainly able to get the job done. Guests will find both a casual cafeteria and a fancier bar and restaurant at the main base, as well as a small hut with food and drinks at the lower-mountain base. Higher up on the mountain, skiers and riders can find a modestly-sized food and drinks joint at the base of the Mirador lift. All of these options have both indoor and outdoor seating, and you can often find music bumping too.
Nevados de Chillán’s lodges won’t blow most people away, but it does have numerous options for weary guests to rest and grab a bite to eat.
Night Skiing
It’s also worth noting Nevados de Chillán added night skiing this season, making it one of the only resorts in South America to offer it. However, the setup consists of just a single trail: the below-treeline Bosque Nevado green run. And while it’s a neat way to extend your ski day, with just one run available, it’s more of a novelty than a full-fledged night skiing experience.
Getting There
Nevados de Chillán is located in central Chile, significantly south of the main Santiago-area destinations. Those flying into Santiago can expect about a six-hour drive to the resort. A more convenient option is to take a short domestic flight from Santiago to Concepción, which is about a 2.5-hour drive to the mountain. The closest airport overall is in the city of Chillán, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes west of the resort, though flight options there are limited. For those opting not to fly domestically, train and bus services run from Santiago to Chillán in around 5.5 to 6 hours, followed by a local shuttle or taxi ride to the resort.
A big advantage of a trip to Nevados de Chillán is that it has a significantly less sketchy access road than its Chilean competitors. That’s not to say it’s a truly easy drive—there are still a number of hairpin turns and snow conditions can warrant chains or snow tires when it’s storming—but it's far less stressful than the notoriously sketchy mountain roads leading to Santiago-area resorts. That said, the resort does close off the access road if and when it reaches capacity, so during peak times, be sure to get there early.
Parking
Paid parking is standard in the main lots, but there is limited free parking below the base, although it’s not clearly marked. The resort charges up to 20,000 pesos, or about $20 USD, for its paid lots even on empty weekdays, which is honestly insane, and unfortunately, many visitors end up paying unnecessarily for spots that are only very slightly closer to the lifts.
While there is some free parking at Nevados de Chillán, parking at the main lots cost up to 20,000 pesos ($20 USD).
Lodging
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages to a Nevados de Chillán trip is the wide array of reasonable lodging options in and around the resort proper. Unlike most competing Chilean resorts, which have some lodging in the middle of nowhere then nothing for hours, there are plenty of hotels a short drive away from Nevados de Chillán without actually having to stay in the base village. For the widest range of lodging options, visitors should check out the town of Las Trancas, which offers accommodations ranging from budget-friendly hotels to fancy cabanas. For those truly on a budget, the Duub Hostel offers a mix of shared and private room options and is one of the few places in town that attracts other English speakers. Prices for food, groceries, and even ski services such as tunes are far cheaper than what you’ll find at other Chilean ski resorts.
But while the towns near the ski resort have some solid lodging options, there are still a number of options for ski-in/ski-out accommodations for those who prefer, with two primary hotels in the lower base village, the fairly reasonable Hotel Nevados and the very high end Hotel Termas Chillán, and one hotel situated next to the main base, the mid-tier Hotel Alto Nevados. These on‑mountain hotels offer amenities such as thermal pools and saunas with varying degrees of luxury, and like at other Chilean ski resorts, you can package meals with them too.
Many lodging options—including on‑mountain hotels—charge Chile’s statutory 19% IVA tax, but foreign visitors paying in USD may qualify for exemption, depending on the property’s currency policy; be sure to read the fine print before booking.
RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR NEVADOS DE CHILLÁN
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate board
Recommended advanced board
Recommended expert board
Recommended powder board
Après-Ski
When it comes to après-ski at Nevados de Chillán, the resort isn't the liveliest in the world, but the atmosphere is much more authentically Chilean than what you’ll find at many other resorts in the country. The nearby town of Las Trancas acts as a true local ski village, complete with affordable restaurants and bars that are a rarity in South American skiing. On the slopes themselves, there’s still a laid-back bar scene with spots for live music and drinks after a day on the mountain. Families will also appreciate the unique non-ski amenities in Las Trancas, including a skate park and an “enchanted forest” theme park for kids.
But one of the coolest parts about a trip to Nevados de Chillán is the natural hot springs. These thermal pools are worth a dip, sitting just on the side of the resort and offering guests the chance for a refreshing warmup after a hard-charging day on the slopes. Hot springs passes aren’t cheap if you go for the full day, but early and sunset tickets are more reasonable. And you might want to go during those more off-peak times anyway, because the modestly-sized springs are in high demand, and lines can form during peak times.
Nevados de Chillán stands out as one of the most worthwhile ski resorts in South America, especially for those who prefer a less commercialized destination.
Verdict
So no, Nevados de Chillán is not without quirks—no South American ski resort is. But the mountain’s combination of terrain diversity, snowfall reliability, affordable pricing, and true local feel make it one of the most compelling ski destinations in South America. While it’s not ideal for every skier or rider, particularly those who prioritize modern lift infrastructure, it’s a must-hit for adventurous Chile travelers who want an off-the-beaten-path winter sports experience.
Pricing
Nevados de Chillán is not on any mega passes, and online lift tickets go for 75,000 CLP (~$78 USD) during select peak dates in August and 58,000 CLP (~$60 USD) other times. However, you can only buy lift tickets online if you already have a ski pass, and window prices are about 10,000 CLP (~$10 USD) more expensive. Still, given the experience for the region, this isn't a terrible deal for what you get.
