Photo Journal: The Heli Team Goes to Chile

We just returned from an epic trip to Chile that gave us the perfect balance of culture, cuisine, and big-mountain skiing—all while we met with the best operators in the region. A storm cycle set the stage, and each stop added a new layer to the experience.

Santiago → Valle Nevado

We arrived to the energy of Santiago, then climbed into the high Andes. The storm was still building, so we spent two days exploring Valle Nevado’s resort terrain—our introduction to skiing in the Southern Hemisphere. Between laps, we tasted our first asado and pisco sours, and learned about Valle Nevado’s single-day heliskiing program, which draws skiers from around the world.

The perfect place to combine both resort skiing and heliskiing, with flexible options and price points.

Valle Nevado → Puma Lodge with Powder South

The drive into the remote Puma Lodge is pure Chile—winding valleys, towering peaks, and the feeling of leaving the rest of the world behind. Powder South’s team was out making the most of the reset with a ripping family in the private package. Puma Lodge is perfectly situated in the middle of the ski terrain, offering quick access to incredible skiing throughout the Central Andes.

Puma Lodge → Lodge Andino with Andes Heliboarding

Fresh snow and four helicopters on site—Andes Heliboarding had private groups ready to strike. That first night brought a dinner to remember: fresh fish prepared in a Japanese-Peruvian style, paired with Chilean wine. The next day it was dumping snow in the terrain, but the team made the most of the time. Some guests hopped a heli to ski tour, and others took a heli flight to visit a winery. We chose to stay at the lodge, enjoy the spa and sauna, tour the property, and dive deeper into the operation with Beb, Brice, and their crew. The day ended with a slow-roasted sheep over an open fire—a celebration of food, the skiing to come, and friendship.

Lodge Andino → VIK Winery

Located in the foothills of the Andes, VIK Chile combines avant-garde architecture with one of Chile’s top wineries. Lunch was a refined pairing of local flavors and wines, followed by a tour of the vineyards and barrel room. That night, a multicourse dinner with Powder South’s Rodrigo and Christian extended the feeling that this trip was about more than just skiing—it was about connection.

Finale → Valle Nevado

The storm had done its work. With the forecast setting up for a perfect bluebird day, we extended our stay and made our way back to Valle Nevado. We woke to blue skies and 24+ inches of untouched snow to close the week the way we’d dreamed of—deep, fast, and high in the Andes.