Will Chile Get The New World’s Largest Ski Area?

North American group Mountain Capital Partners has purchased a controlling interest in 2 of the ‘3 Valleys of The Andes’ resorts in Chile, with a view to create the world’s largest ski area.

Chile has long been home to an area with three linked but separately run ski areas, fairly close to capital Santiago, marketed as ‘The 3 Valleys of the Andes’ (or ‘Tres Valles’)

The resorts involved are the modern French-designed Valle Nevado, which would not look out of place next to Les Arcs or Avoriaz, as well as the longer established La Parva and their neighbour, El Colorado.

Not a lot has been happening with these three areas for three decades or so beyond occasional lift upgrades, but now a North American group, Mountain Capital Partners, has begun purchasing a controlling interest in them. First, last year, Valle Nevado, now, this month, La Parva.

“With La Parva in its collection, MCP oversees two-thirds of the iconic “Tres Valles” ski area, boasting the largest lift-served terrain in the Southern Hemisphere. This acquisition is another step towards MCP’s goal of creating the world’s largest lift-served ski area—a vision steadily coming to life,” a company statement reads.

Colorado-based Mountain Capital Partners currently own ski areas in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah and describes itself as the largest ski resort operator in the US Southwest.  It’s two Chilean resort purchases are its first outside North America.

Managing partner, James Coleman says it was the beginning of a lifelong dream to develop a skiing experience of global proportions.

“Valle Nevado and La Parva represent some of the best ski resort brands in South America,” Coleman said. “Together, with these two world-class resorts, we are committed to creating the largest and best lift-served resort in the world.”

Located less than an hour from Santiago, city of Chile, La Parva offers 14 lifts, 40 named trails and over 3,000 feet of vertical, with access to over 200,000 acres of heli-skiing, giving guests access to the world’s longest continental mountain range and the highest mountain chain outside of the Himalayas.

Valle Nevado and La Parva share borders and guests can ski both resorts with an easy-to-access interconnect system of lifts and trails. While shared day and season products are still being developed (including La Parva access on the collective’s season pass product, the Power Pass), Coleman said that beginning this winter 2024, guests visiting the Chilean resorts will be able to enjoy a combined total of nearly 5,000 skiable acres, 30 lifts, 84 named trails and a maximum elevation of 12,041 feet (3,670m) with a total vertical of 3,281 feet (1,000m) from the base of La Parva to the summit of Valle Nevado.

Since 2015, MCP has invested more than $78 million at its ski areas and bike parks to deliver the company’s signature “Skiing First” improvements including new chair and gondola lifts, trails, snowmaking and other capital improvements.  While capital investments have not yet been finalized at La Parva, Coleman said the company will prioritize building new lifts, adding snowmaking and developing more trails.

“While there have been many who have said this merger would never happen, there have been visionaries who dreamed about bringing these resorts together, and today, that day has come. Thanks to the incredible support of this community and our team of employees, we’re proud to be the ones to formally join Valle Nevado and La Parva,” Coleman said.