Valle Nevado: Ski Day Trip from Santiago with Lessons & Transfers

Summary

Ski Valle Nevado from Santiago with lessons, tickets & easy transfer

You’ll swap Santiago’s buzz for Andes quiet on this Valle Nevado ski day trip with transfers included. Learn to ski (or brush up your skills) with group lessons for adults and kids, enjoy mountain views, and share laughs with fellow travelers—all with a local guide handling the details.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember how weird it felt swapping city noise for mountain silence so fast. One minute we were dodging shoppers near Parque Arauco in Santiago, then—after winding up through switchbacks and watching the city shrink behind us—everything just went white. Our guide, Pablo, cracked jokes about “Andes altitude hair” (mine definitely went wild), and before I knew it, we were at Valle Nevado. The air was sharp and cold enough to sting your nose, but honestly? It felt good after all that busyness.

The ski center itself is bigger than I expected—lots of bright jackets everywhere, people laughing in every language. Pablo helped us sort out our gear (I’m not proud of how long it took me to get my boots on). My lesson group had folks from Brazil and Germany; our instructor switched between Spanish and English like it was nothing. We practiced falling (a lot), but also got those little victories—like finally gliding a few meters without tipping over. I swear there’s a particular crunch to fresh snow under skis that you don’t forget.

Lunch was quick—just sandwiches eaten outside because none of us wanted to miss a minute. Kids zipped by in their own classes, shouting to each other in Spanish. At some point the clouds broke and sunlight bounced off everything so bright I had to squint. On the way back down to Santiago, everyone got quiet for a bit. Maybe tired, maybe just thinking about how different the world looks from up there. Even now, sometimes when city life gets loud again, I remember that hush on the slopes and kind of wish I could bottle it up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ski day at Valle Nevado

• Meet at Turistik Parking, Parque Arauco
• Travel to Valle Nevado Ski Center
• Enjoy skiing and lessons at Valle Nevado
• Return to Parque Arauco, Santiago

Top questions

Where does the Valle Nevado ski tour start?

The meeting point is Turistik Parking at Av. Pdte. Kennedy Lateral 5059, Las Condes, next to Parque Arauco mall in Santiago.

Are ski lessons included in this Valle Nevado day trip?

Yes, shared group lessons are included for children ages 4-11 and adults from age 12.

Is round-trip transportation provided from Santiago?

Yes, round-trip transfer between Santiago and Valle Nevado is included exclusively for your group.

Do I need prior skiing experience for this tour?

No prior experience is needed; lessons are provided for beginners and those looking to improve their technique.

What’s included in the price of this Valle Nevado tour?

The price includes ski ticket access to the slopes, group classes, bilingual guide support, and round-trip transfer.

Can small children join this ski trip?

Infants can ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult’s lap during transport; however, skiing classes start at age 4.

How long does the drive from Santiago to Valle Nevado take?

The drive typically takes around 1.5 hours each way depending on traffic and weather conditions.

Is lunch provided during the Valle Nevado day trip?

No formal lunch is included; you’ll have time to purchase food at Valle Nevado or bring your own snacks.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transfer from Santiago’s Parque Arauco area straight up into the Andes mountains, entry ticket for full access to Valle Nevado’s slopes, shared group ski classes (for kids aged 4–11 and adults 12+), plus help from a bilingual local guide throughout your adventure before returning back down as evening falls.