It can be difficult to fit in a skiing holiday at Christmas or during the February half-term. But you can easily do so during the summer holidays in Chile - where the seasons are reversed. Valle Nevado is an exciting resort on the snowy slopes of the Andes just 1½ hours from Santiago, Chile’s pleasant capital city.

There are 39 well-maintained and uncongested runs for all standards of skier from beginner to expert, and a half-pipe for snow-boarding enthusiasts. The ski and snowboard school offers instruction for all levels and ages in English. The resort was designed for winter sports but is also well-equipped for relaxation and entertainment. There are three linked hotels, which share extensive facilities including a ski shop, large hot-tub, sauna, disco, games room, organised activities (e.g. mountain biking, heli-skiing, hang-gliding) and a variety of shops, bars and restaurants.

We’ve been there

"The instructors seemed to me to be a very patient bunch with the children (nursery slopes are just a few steps from the hotels) while the teenagers flocked to the disco - and I was impressed by the more challenging runs, and amazing Andean views. There is something for everyone here." Caroline Maber, Travel Consultant.

A bit more time?

Sky-watch the crystal clear heavens at la Serena, Chile, at the country’s first astro-hotel equipped with observation domes and offering night-time horse-rides.

Weather watch

Ski areas in Chile get as much as seven metres of mostly light powder snow between June and early October - this is an ideal ski destination in the school summer holidays.

Top Tip

If you check out before 10am on the day of departure they will give you a free lift pass for that day.

Did You Know?

The Andes range, stretching 8000km north to south, is the second highest in the world - the peak of Aconcagua rises to over 7000m (just under 23,000 feet).