Sail Over The Slopes At The La Parva Resort

La Parva ski resort is the second highest of three famous ski resorts situated near Santiago and known as Chile's Three Valleys, South America's most famous and largest ski region. The resort has slopes suitable for all levels of skiers, with the most acreage given over to beginners. The terrain at La Parva is exciting and varied with plenty of chutes and bowls, while the facilities and après-ski entertainment are exceptional.

The ski village at La Parva ski resort lies at a heady 9,238 feet above sea level and is packed with upmarket residential condos and private apartments that are available for rent during the ski season. Views of Santiago Valley are outstanding and facilities are comprehensive, with an excellent ski school and ski and snowboard rental equipment, stores, cash machines and boutiques as well as a repairs workshop, clinic, internet café and first-aid station.

La Parva ski resort has 30 slopes stretching across 24 miles of brilliant terrain, while if you purchase a Three Valleys ticket, you can extend your ski area by up to 70 miles by making use of the other two resorts. The longest slope at La Parva is two and a half miles and 14 ski lifts, including two quads, provide access to the runs, the highest of which is in excess of 11,800 feet.

La Parva ski resort has chalets, hotels, condos, apartments and lodges for rent, although prices can be fairly expensive, while nearby Farellones village has cheaper lodgings and Santiago is even cheaper again if you are on a tight budget. The après-ski is particularly good at La Parva, with several high-quality restaurants including 3100 restaurant up on the mountain and plenty of coffee shops, bars and discos.

Alternatively, there is the French-designed Valle Nevado and Farellones-El Colorado ski resorts, part of the Three Valleys ski region, which are ski lift linked with La Parva. Exploring these resorts will allow you to enjoy skiing and snowboarding on an additional 40 runs. You can enjoy more challenging slopes at Valle Nevado as well as at its snowboard park, while Farellones-El Colorado has plenty of off-piste powder.

La Parva ski resort's ski season runs from June to October, with great snow in July and August and cheaper rates available at the beginning and the end of the season. Santiago's airport is the most common point of entry to Chile and several shuttle companies run direct to La Parva ski village as well as the other two nearby resorts.

Skiing in La Parva

With a cracking location near to Santiago, La Parva ski resort offers some of the best sliding in the southern hemisphere for skiers and snowboarders. As the second highest part of Chile's Three Valleys, the constantly sunny slopes appeal to visitors from across the globe as does the superb facilities and quality accommodation options here.

There are 24 miles of well-groomed terrain at La Parva ski resort that are divided into 30 slopes, 56 per cent of which are aimed at beginner skiers, 28 per cent at intermediates and 16 per cent at advanced and expert sliders. The highest run is at 11,980 feet, while the longest run is two and a half miles. The slopes are serviced by 14 efficient ski lifts.

There are other non-piste activities available at La Parva ski resort including mountain touring (randonee), mountaineering and snowshoeing, while relaxation can be had in the spas and saunas at the hotel and condo complexes. A collection of coffee shops, restaurants, bars and clubs keep après-ski revellers busy.

La Parva ski resort's ski village is well designed and it comes with all the facilities and services indicative of a world-class ski resort. There are ski schools, ski repair and rental booths, ATM machines and even a clinic, while accommodation is first rate, with much of it consisting of pricey rented apartments.

The best snow at La Parva ski resort can be enjoyed between July and mid-August during the June to October season, with cheaper deals on offer in June and October and discounts available for children and seniors. Without doubt the best way to travel here is to fly to Santiago and then transfer by shuttle bus direct to the resort, while hiring a car gives you greater options for exploration of the surrounding area.

Transportation to La Parva

La Parva ski resort is only 30 miles northeast of Santiago situated in the Central Andes Mountains. Along with the nearby resorts of Farellones-El Colorado and Valle Nevado, La Parva can be accessed via a controlled road. If you are staying at the resort, using a shuttle service direct from the airport is the most practical travel option, while those staying at Santiago have the option of hiring a car.

The drive from Santiago-Benitez International Airport is straightforward and quick, with only a few road changes necessary. From the airport, route 5 heads towards Santiago, from where route 70 ring road goes east and meets with the G21 for Farellones. La Parva is an additional four miles from here. It is worth noting that traffic can only ascend to Farellones between 08:00 and 14:00, while the road is given over to those descending between 14:00 and 20:00.

There are numerous flights arriving throughout the day from world cities at Santiago's Benitez International Airport, while those coming from London will invariably have to change planes at a US city such as New York or LA. Transfer options to the city and La Parva ski resort are good and include direct shuttles and taxis.