The 2022 winter season is expected to welcome one million skiers throughout Chile

Beatriz Román, National Director of SERNATUR at the launch ceremony of the winter season of the Chilean Ski Resort Association (Credit: SERNATUR)

Tourism authorities and the Chilean Association of Ski Resorts (Aceski) have arrived in the mountains of the Santiago metropolitan area to kick off the winter sports season, which this year is expected to approach one million skiers welcomed to the different resorts to enjoy the experiences associated with snow and the mountains.

The national director of Sernatur, Beatriz Román, who took part in the launch ceremony held in Valle Nevado, said that “We have a diversified offer of snow activities, which can be accessed by national and foreign tourists to enjoy the mountains. For this winter season, we expect more than 4.7 million overnight stays, 37% more than in the same period of 2021 and 81.5% more than in the winter holidays of 2019, before the start of the pandemic.”

The authority also emphasised the arrival of Brazilian tourists, who are the most in demand for this type of experience in our country. “The Brazilian market is very important for Chile, especially at this time of year. Between June and July alone, we will receive 40,000 tourists of this nationality, which corresponds to 17% of the Brazilians we expect to receive this year, more than 237,000”, Román stressed.

James Ackerson, president of Aceski, said that “this year we hope to get closer to the one million skiers we had on average in the years before the pandemic, although we also welcome all the visitors who come not only to ski but also to experience the snow”.

What’s new in Chilean ski resorts for the winter season?

The launch of the 2022 winter season was also attended by representatives of the twelve winter resorts associated with Aceski: Portillo, La Parva, El Colorado, Parques de Farellones, Valle Nevado, Nevados de Chillán, Volcán Antuco, Corralco, Ski No Limit, Antillanca, Volcán Osorno and Club Andino Punta Arenas.

The new features proposed by each of the resorts for the 2022 season

Credit: SERNATUR

Portillo has made a major investment in a modern snowmaking system, which has 25 state-of-the-art machines that keep the centre running. “We are very excited to welcome back our guests and skiers, and we are confident that this winter the snow will be with us and it will be a great season,” Miguel Purcell, general manager of Portillo.

During the summer season, La Parva created a new run and grooming work was carried out on the upper slopes of the resort to improve the skiers’ experience. “We hope that the 2022 season will allow us to welcome the number of tourists we had before the pandemic and thus recover some of the losses of previous years,” Camila Margozzini, commercial manager of La Parva.

El Colorado has a new area for beginners, children and non-skiers with day and night activities. “This year, El Colorado has expanded its snowmaking capacity, which guarantees a long season, full of surprises and fun”, Juan Cristóbal Fuentes, General Manager of Andacor S.A.

With the awarding of the tender for the Villarrica volcano, Parques de Farellones is expanding into this important region of the country. “The opening of the borders and the desire for outdoor activities means that Parques de Farellones is once again becoming a mountain of entertainment for families and friends”, Mike Izquierdo, Director of Services at Andacor S.A.

La Parva (Credit: SERNATUR)

After three years, Valle Nevado is returning to 100% hotel capacity with three hotels and all associated services, hoping to receive nearly 250,000 visitors by 2022. “What makes us very proud and confirms our goal of taking care of people, the mountain and the planet, is to have received again the Enel certification for the use of clean energy in the operation of all our non-conventional renewable energy (ENRC) lifts”, Ricardo Margulis, General Manager of Valle Nevado.

The Nevados de Chillán ski area has inaugurated a new snow garden and magic carpet on the Novicios slope for lessons and introductory activities, a new Garganta cafeteria located in the middle of the Tres Marías slope with spectacular terraces, as well as a new slope in the upper part. “We are waiting for you in Nevados de Chillán with hotels, gastronomy, activities, hot springs and skiing for the whole family”, Manuel Dinamarca, general manager of Nevados de Chillán.

The main novelty at the Antuco Volcano is the introduction of a snowmobile service for rides in the mountain village area. “The Antuco Volcano Ski Centre awaits you to enjoy a unique place, where the Antuco Volcano and the Laja Lagoon complement each other and offer us a spectacular landscape”, Raúl Olave, general manager of the Antuco Volcano.

Ski No Limit. For this season, it has a new toboggan run and a night skiing run. “A mountain of emotions”, Alfonso Quilodrán, director and owner of Ski No Limit.

Antillanca, on the other hand, offers the possibility of skiing in Chilean Patagonia, surrounded by native forest, with a hotel at the foot of the slopes and a skiable area of more than 400 hectares for all levels of skiing”, Juan Agustín Rodríguez, general manager of Antillanca.

With a winter season that runs from June to September in Chile, and its many dedicated areas, Chile is a unique destination for all lovers of the great outdoors, adventure and winter sports.

Source : SERNATUR