The feeling of solitude in the middle of the Andes Mountains. The thrill of skiing on virgin snow and the adventure of traveling through unique landscapes, at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, are the big reasons that skiers from around the world come to Chile to practice heliskiing.
Chile has become a top destination for European and American skiers, who wish to take advantage of the southern hemisphere winter in order to get on a helicopter that will take them to live the experience of a descent, without limitations, through unexplored landscapes. Chile provides a great alternative due to the spectacular features of its mountains, broad hillsides and ideal slopes.
Heliskiing has been practiced in Chile since the late 80s, driven by the ski resorts of Ski Portillo, Valle Nevado and, more recently, Puma Lodge, an exclusive resort offering heliskiing in an area of 5,000 km2 of slopes, peaks, glaciers and crags, located within the city of Rancagua, between the Reserva Los Cipreses reserve and the Río Tinguiririca river.
In Portillo, the helicopter, with a capacity of up to four skiers, a guide and driver, identifies the sites according to the quality of the snow and the lowest risk of avalanche. After this the sportsmen and women are allowed to visualize the route they shall take, in order to define the point at which they will return to the helicopter. There are tour packages ranging from one to seven days.
In the case of Valle Nevado, there is a service operated by the center. In alliance with Eco copter, visits are made to the most emblematic spots of the central mountains, including the Olivares and Parraguirre valleys.
