Category: Ski Americas

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The Ski Season in South American Resorts is Starting!

Las Leñas peak in the background, that triangle shape on the right hand side of the picture - the expanse of Las Leñas is incredible! - Photo by Las Leñas ski resort. Focus on South American Ski Resorts- High Andes: Valle Nevado, Portillo and Las Leñas – Chile and Argentina

Where to ski in South America 2025: As weather in Britain is getting excessively hot for my taste, I find refreshing hearing of snow in Buenos Aires, and the ski resorts, most of them where I used to ski when I was younger, are now opened or opening soon!

Focus on South American Ski Resorts- High Andes: Valle Nevado, Portillo and Las Leñas – Chile and Argentina
The sunsets in Valle Nevado are amazing – lots of pink tones in the sky – thanks to the smog of Santiago. Photo by: Valle Nevado ski resort. Check lodging at Valle Nevado here. Where to ski in South America 2025

Here quick stats of what is going on!

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If you want to rent a car to drive from point A to B, check rates here.

Ski in Chile. Where to ski in South America 2025

🇨🇱 Valle Nevado

🎿 Webcams: check them here.

📊 Trail Stats: 900 ha terrain, 34 runs (10 % beginner, 36 % intermediate, 33 % advanced, 21 % expert), 16 lifts, cable car + 5 chairs, gondola, 3 surface lifts, snowpark

🏨 Lodging: Hotel Tres Puntas, Puerta del Sol, Hotel Valle Nevado (ski‑in/ski‑out), plus condos & apartment rentals. Check lodging for Valle Nevado here.

❄️ Mountain Culture: Off-piste and heli‑ski access, vibrant après scene with 4 bars/pubs; praised for groomed slopes, scenic Andes setting, efficient lift operations. Best alpenglow in the Andes!

Valle Nevado at dusk. Photo Courtesy Valle Nevado.
Valle Nevado at dusk. Photo Courtesy Valle Nevado. Check where to stay at Valle Nevado here. Where to ski in South America 2025

Continue reading “The Ski Season in South American Resorts is Starting!”

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The Must-Read Travel Guide to Crested Butte: Skiing, Lodging, Dining & More

Mont Crested Butte. Photo Danica Bona. Courtesy CrestedButteGunnison.com. The Must-Read Guide to Crested Butte.

Crested Butte is a must-visit for mountain lovers. Located 30 miles from Aspen, as the crows fly, but not that accessible, it offers a more secluded experience than the I-70 resorts. An advertisement in Ski magazine in the early ’90s caught my attention with the line, “It was what Aspen used to be and Vail never was.” Here’s a concise guide to help you plan your trip to this hidden gem.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

Elk Avenue in Crested Butte. Check out this painting in my shop. (actually in Italy so cannot dispatch immediately!)
Elk Avenue in Crested Butte. Check out this painting in my shop. (actually in Italy so cannot dispatch immediately!)

✈️ Getting There

By Air

  • Gunnison–Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC): ~30 min from Crested Butte via Highway 135. Served by United Express and American; daily flights in-season. Also, some flights by JSX from Dallas (seasonal). You can check flights into Gunnison here.
  • Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ): ~1 hr 15 min drive. Good backup if Gunnison flights are limited.
  • Denver International (DEN): ~4½ hr drive via Monarch Pass/US 50 or 5 hr to Crested Butte. Many visitors fly into DEN, as there is much more flights availability. Lots of direct flights from Europe.

 

Postcard-perfect downtown Crested Butte. Photo by Danica Bona. Courtesy GunnisonCrestedButte.com. The Must-Read Guide to Crested Butte.
Postcard-perfect downtown Crested Butte. Photo by Danica Bona. Courtesy GunnisonCrestedButte.com. The Must-Read Guide to Crested Butte.

By Road

  • From Denver: Scenic ~4–4.5 hr drive over Monarch Pass (US 50). You can choose to go via I-70 via Vail and turning in Minturn to take the Leadville pass and south into the US 50 or go south to Colorado Springs and turn west on US 50.
  • From Gunnison airport: Easy 30 min cruise on Highway 135.
  • From Aspen: drive CO-82 W to CO-133 to Crawford. From there take CO-92E – you will go over the Black Canyon of Gunnison- an amazing view and drive. Keep on going until US-50 and drive E once in Gunnison, turn left onto CO-135 N all the way to Crested Butte. (If you are a fan of Joe Cocker, go to visit his grave at the local cemetery of Crawford, CO).
  • Driving seasonally: Summer-only gravel roads (e.g. Kebler Pass, Schofield Pass) add adventure.

You can compare rates for renting a car for driving in Colorado here.

Continue reading “The Must-Read Travel Guide to Crested Butte: Skiing, Lodging, Dining & More”

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❄️ The Must-Read Travel Guide to Aspen Snowmass

Pyramid Peak viewed from Buttermilk Mountain. Photo: Ann Driggers. Courtesy: Aspen Snowmass. The Must Read Guide to Aspen Snowmass.

🏔️ Overview – The Must-Read Travel Guide to Aspen Snowmass- Luxury Ski Destination in Colorado.

Aspen Snowmass is one of North America’s most iconic luxury ski destinations, offering legendary terrain, a vibrant culinary and cultural scene, and unmatched hospitality. It’s the perfect blend of alpine adventure and cosmopolitan charm.

The town of Aspen seen from Aspen Mountain, with the recognised Silver Queen Gondola. Photo: Jordan Curet. Courtesy: Aspen Snowmass. The Must-Read Guide to Aspen Snowmass.
The town of Aspen seen from Aspen Mountain, with the recognised Silver Queen Gondola. Photo: Jordan Curet. Courtesy: Aspen Snowmass. The Must-Read Guide to Aspen Snowmass.

🔹 The Four Mountains (All on One Lift Ticket)

  1. Aspen Mountain (what locals used to call Ajax) – No beginner slopes, steep terrain for intermediates and experts right above downtown Aspen. Hero’s is the new terrain expansion in Aspen Mountain with 153 ne acres of glades and chute­­s offering magnificent views of Independence Pass.
  2. Aspen Highlands – Known for its Highland Bowl and deep powder runs. Advanced/expert terrain.
  3. Snowmass – Family favourite with wide-open cruisers, terrain parks, and the most skiable acres. Lots of ski in/ski out properties.
  4. Buttermilk – Best for beginners and home to the Winter X Games.
Skiing amongst glades is a skier's idea of heaven. Photo: Darcy Conover. Courtesy: Aspen Snowmass. The Must-Read Guide to Aspen Snowmass.
Skiing amongst glades is a skier’s idea of heaven. Photo: Darcy Conover. Courtesy: Aspen Snowmass. The Must-Read Guide to Aspen Snowmass.

✈️ Getting There

🔸 By Air

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)

  • Just 10 minutes from downtown Aspen.
  • Direct flights from Denver, L.A., Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and San Francisco (seasonally).
  • Note: Delays and cancellations due to weather are common.
Flying into Aspen Airport in United Express (with their Embraer planes that are pretty good!). Photo: The-Ski-Guru.
Flying into Aspen Airport in United Express (with their Embraer planes that are pretty good!). Photo: The-Ski-Guru.

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Is Vail Ruining the Skiing Experience? A new short documentary thinks so.

Is Vail Ruining the Skiing Experience? A new short documentary thinks so. Photo: Jack Affleck/Vail Resorts.

I have just seen a short documentary talking about Vail ruining the skiing experience. It is something I have asked myself many times. Now the industry in the US is divided in a duopoly- carried by Vail Resorts with its Epic Pass and Alterra with its IKON pass.

On one hand, if you are an avid skier, these passes are great, as it will result in cheaper rates, and you can ski a lot in lot of different areas. Compared to purchasing a season pass in one resort, this gives you variety.

The View from Aspen Highlands. Soft Pastels on La Carte Pastel. 100 cm x 35 cm (40" x 14") for sale in my shop here.
The View from Aspen Highlands. Soft Pastels on La Carte Pastel. 100 cm x 35 cm (40″ x 14″) for sale in my shop here.

On the other hand, if you are an occasional skier, the daily ski pass lift rates prices you out, unless you are wealthy. More if you take for first time your family to start skiing, where you need to rent equipment and take ski lessons for all. That is über expensive. I want to imagine that resorts have in place programmes to initiate to ski with some free lifts and an “entry rate” so you can try it and not mortgage your house for doing so!

At least in our local resort in Italy, (Pila), you have a couple of lifts that are free, and you just book a lesson and rent skis or snowboard and can have your first steps pretty cheap. And this is the norm in many other resorts in Europe I’ve been at.

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Vail Resorts Still in the News for the Wrong Reasons

Park City groomed slope. Photo: Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts Still in the News for the Wrong Reasons

I have already written about Vail Resorts having a rocky period in the news. The news is not calming down, and more things are coming to the fore. From a letter sent from a dissatisfied shareholder, Taylor Schmidt of Late Apex Partners asking for the replacement of CEO Kirsten Lynch, to the COO Angela Korch and also Chairman of the board Robert Katz, to more news on potential strike action and employees dissatisfaction.

The letter of Late Apex Partners.

This has been a scathing report on how Vail Resorts is doing business and is asking for a big change, focusing on guests experience and employees’ wellbeing and not so much on acquiring ski areas abroad, while there is still lots to do in the United States with what Vail Resorts got in stock.

Top of Eagle's Nest. Vail Mountain. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Differences between skiing in North America and Europe
Top of Eagle’s Nest. Vail Mountain. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Differences between skiing in North America and Europe

The latest development of this is that Late Apex Partner’s Taylor Schmidt been in contact with the local newspaper Vail Daily stating that he is a bigger stockholder than what today the head management of Vail is, when put into doubt how big of a stakeholder he was.

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Is the Vail Resorts’ Epic dream starting to falter skiers and the ski areas it owns?

Family Ski School Instruction in Vail, CO. Photo: Jack Affleck. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.

Vail Resorts has been lately a lot on the news and not for the good reasons. From a strike with the Park City Ski Patrol over salaries and benefits issues during the Christmas holidays, to the number of Epic passes sold descending for the first time by 2%, and to issues with the different ski resorts bought by Vail, one could only question if the Vail Resorts’ Epic dream is starting to falter skiers and the ski areas it owns.

There have been numerous posts of the strike action of the Park City Ski Patrol against Vail Resorts this past Christmas holidays. You can see a great account of it on this Washington Post article by Allison Pohle (you can read it for free on the MSN website here).

Kids Ski School at Vail, CO. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.
Kids Ski School at Vail, CO. Photo: Daniel Milchev. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.

The strike in Park City Mountain. Is the Epic dream starting to falter the ski areas it owns?

The strike of Park City resulted in Vail Resorts bringing ski patrols from other mountains they own to operate part of the ski resort of Park City during this Christmas season! As there were not many ski patrols working, the bombing and securing the trails before opening was not possible, and very little was opened on a weekend with great snow and full occupancy in the resort. And that caused “Epic” lines Visitors took it to social media to post pictures of the queues and protest of the way they were treated, after spending a lot money to spend their holidays in the resort.

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Meeting President Carter in Crested Butte

A photo of the CBMR team with President Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter. Photo: Tom Stillo.

I had the luck to have met President Jimmy Carter, who has just had his state funeral in the United States. He used to come to Crested Butte when I was working in the Events, PR and International Sales department of CBMR under Gina Kroft. This was in relation to “The Atlanta Project”, a program President Carter and his wife Rosalyn put together to take care of disadvantage inner city kids of Atlanta, GA.

Shovelling snow in Crested Butte. You can see it in my shop here.
Shovelling snow in Crested Butte. You can see it in my shop here.

They used to bring a group of kids to Crested Butte that were exposed to come skiing for their first time. The CBMR ski school took care of their first steps on the snow, as well as the Crested Butte Adaptive Sports Center did for those that were not physically able. President Carter helped the ASC to start its for people that needed adaptive equipment and teaching to enjoy the big outdoors. Here is a short podcast of CPR retelling the story.

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I am at The Ski Podcast show talking about Valle Nevado and Portillo

Skier off-piste in Portillo. Photo by Liam Doran. Courtesy Ski Portillo.

If you go here, you can hear me talking about Valle Nevado and Portillo and their upcoming ski season. The show also talks of other subjects, such as the Ski Club of Great Britain reps (with journalist Lou Cameron-Hall), and what is going on in the ski industry.

Again, here is the link to listen to the podcast.

The View from Aiguille du Midi towards Grandes Jorasses. 65 x 50 cm. In my shop here.
The View from Aiguille du Midi towards Grandes Jorasses. 65 x 50 cm. In my shop here.

Start planning your next trip!

 

You can search for your own accommodation in the snow for your next ski holiday through our Accommodation Search tab. Or if looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check the direct booking for Il Coure della Valdigne here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using.

 

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Book your lodging directly with me here.Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

Featured Image: Skier off-piste in Portillo. Photo by Liam Doran. Courtesy Ski Portillo. 

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The Must-Read Guide to Valle Nevado

Valle Nevado at dusk. Photo Courtesy Valle Nevado.

Valle Nevado is one of those ski resorts that you should go and visit. That is why I have put together this must-read guide to Valle Nevado. Located high in the Chilean Andes, to the west of Santiago, this is the centre of the Tres Valles de Chile (the 3 Valleys of Chile). Here you feel that you are definitely skiing in high mountain.

The ski season runs from late June till early October, but it can be movable depending on snowing conditions.

The Andes are majestic, from whichever side you see them. Valle Nevado counts with the best sunsets you will ever see on the mountains. The pinks, oranges and yellows of the sky are jaw-dropping. This is caused by the smog in Santiago (believe it or not!), but even if smog is awful, up in Valle Nevado you have a spectacle of light. Plus the smog gets stuck down in the valley!

Endless possibilities in Valle Nevado. Photo courtesy of Valle Nevado.
Endless possibilities in Valle Nevado. Photo courtesy of Valle Nevado.

Location – The Must Read Guide to Valle Nevado

Valle Nevado is located 46 km west of Santiago. You need to take the road out of Santiago and the paved road to Farellones for 32 km until the diversion the last portion to  Valle Nevado.

How to Get There – The Must Read Guide to Valle Nevado

You do have to be careful driving up (and down!)- the 59 hairpin turns to get to the resort. Read beforehand the timing of going up and down the road, as depending on the time of the year, and during all weekends during the ski season, there are early hours to go up and hours in the day to go down. The road is a bit thin, and when there is heavy traffic, when people finish their ski week, it could be too tricky to have traffic both ways.

As you will not be driving while in Valle Nevado, you might be better off taking a shared or private transfer to get up the mountain and back.

Aiguilles des Drus et Aiguille Verte. Soft Pastels, pan pastels and charcoal on La Carte Pastel. 65x50 cm (20"x26") in my shop here.
Aiguilles des Drus et Aiguille Verte. Soft Pastels, pan pastels and charcoal on La Carte Pastel. 65×50 cm (20″x26″) in my shop here.

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$75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8

$75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8 Photo Aspen Snowmass.

$75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8

In Celebration of Aspen Snowmass’ 75th Anniversary Ski Season, $75 Airfares to/from Southern California to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport

 Special this Winter, Also Book $75 Lift Tickets

This winter, Aspen Snowmass celebrates 75 years of skiing in Aspen. In conjunction with this occasion, airlines are offering special $75 airfares to/from Southern California to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. This unique deal features direct service from Los Angeles and Orange County into Aspen and is available now through Friday, Oct. 8.

Aspen Mountain with the Town of Aspen. Photo Dan Bayer- Aspen Snowmass. $75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8.
Aspen Mountain with the Town of Aspen. Photo Dan Bayer- Aspen Snowmass. $75 Airfare Offering into Aspen; Book by Friday, Oct. 8.

“Our 75th anniversary is a historic milestone and we are thrilled that our airline partners have joined the celebration by matching $75 one-way airfare offerings,” says Kristi Kavanaugh Bradley, vice president of sales, at Aspen Snowmass. “With up to seven flights daily between Los Angeles and Aspen, during the winter season, it’s a great time for guests to take advantage of these specials.”

 

The 75th anniversary airfare offers round-trip flights into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport from carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, with $75 one-way, or $150 roundtrip basic economy fares. Bookings are valid 21 days starting now through Feb. 28. Minimum stay requirements apply and vary based upon departure date. Inventory is limited to certain fare classes and will not be available on every flight. Restrictions may apply. This offer expires Friday, Oct. 8.

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