Valle Hermoso

Valle Hermoso sits on the flanks of the Chillán volcanoes in the Ñuble region of south-central Chile, part of the broad Nevados de Chillán massif rather than the arid high peaks above Santiago. This is a distinctly different Chilean mountain: lower and further south, it catches heavy, moist storms and its slopes drop from open volcanic terrain into stands of southern beech forest. The mountain is celebrated for its natural geothermal springs, which steam from the hillside and give the area a spa-and-ski identity found almost nowhere else. Long, rolling descents wind down from the upper slopes, and the setting, beneath the smoking cones of an active volcano, is unforgettable. It feels remote and elemental, a place to combine skiing with the wild landscapes of southern Chile.

Come for one of the most characterful ski experiences in the Andes: volcano skiing paired with natural hot springs, in forested surroundings that could not be more different from the barren high resorts near Santiago. It rewards skiers who value atmosphere, long descents and the novelty of soaking in geothermal pools after a day on the snow. Intermediates and adventurous families in particular will enjoy the mix of open upper terrain and tree-lined lower runs, all well away from the busier northern crowds.

During the June-to-October season this southern, volcanic mountain sits in the path of moist Pacific fronts, so it can pick up generous, sometimes heavy snowfalls, with lower and more forested terrain than the high Santiago resorts. Storms can be big and weather changeable, and the tree-lined lower slopes offer shelter and definition when visibility drops on the exposed upper mountain.