The 3 Closest Airports to valle nevado

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The 3 Closest Airports to Valle Nevado

Valle Nevado is a popular ski resort nestled high in the Andes mountains near Santiago, Chile. Getting there typically involves flying into the region and then arranging ground transportation. Understanding the nearest airport options is crucial for planning your trip.

Below are the three airports closest to Valle Nevado, varying significantly in size, function, and practicality for travelers heading to the ski resort.

1. Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL)

This is Santiago’s main international and domestic airport and, by far, the closest major airport to Valle Nevado. It serves as the primary gateway for almost all visitors flying into the region to reach the ski resort.

  • Distance to Valle Nevado: Approximately 67 km (42 miles). Driving time is typically 1.5 to 2+ hours, depending heavily on traffic and road conditions (especially snow).

  • Address: Pudahuel, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

  • Pros: Main international/domestic hub, wide range of flight options, full services, numerous transfer/shuttle options to Valle Nevado. | Cons: Drive involvespotential Santiago traffic and challenging mountain roads, which can sometimes close due to snow.

  • Airlines: LATAM, Sky Airline, JetSMART, American Airlines, Delta, Iberia, Air France, Copa, Avianca, and many others. | Car Rental: Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, Localiza, SIXT, Mitta, and others available.

  • Official Website: https://www.nuevopudahuel.cl/

  • Phone: +56 2 2690 1796 (General Information)

  • Rating: Generally rated around 4.0/5 by travelers.

2. Eulogio Sánchez Airport / Tobalaba Aerodrome (SCTB)

While geographically closer to Valle Nevado than SCL, Tobalaba is a small aerodrome primarily serving general aviation (private planes, flight schools) and helicopter operations. It does not handle scheduled commercial airline flights.

  • Distance to Valle Nevado: Approximately 50 km (31 miles). Driving time is around 1 to 1.5 hours, subject to conditions.

  • Address: Av. Alcalde Fernando Castillo Velasco 8701, La Reina, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

  • Pros: Geographically the closest airfield to Valle Nevado, potential hub for private charter flights or helicopter transfers closer to the mountains. | Cons: No scheduled commercial flights, not suitable for typical airline passengers, very limited passenger facilities.

  • Airlines: None (Scheduled Commercial). Primarily private aviation, flight schools, helicopter services. | Car Rental: Not typically available on-site for public walk-up rentals.

  • Official Website: Primarily operated under DGAC Chile (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). No dedicated passenger service website.

  • Phone: N/A for passenger inquiries.

  • Rating: N/A for commercial travelers.

3. Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport (MDZ) – Mendoza, Argentina

Located across the Andes in Argentina, Mendoza’s airport is geographically somewhat close "as the crow flies" but significantly farther and more complicated by road. It is not a practical option for reaching Valle Nevado directly.

  • Distance to Valle Nevado: Approximately 360 km (225 miles) via road. Driving time is highly variable (5-7+ hours) and depends critically on the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores mountain pass being open.

  • Address: RN40 km 15.5, Las Heras, Mendoza Province, Argentina

  • Pros: Serves the Mendoza wine region in Argentina. | Cons: Extremely long drive, requires an international border crossing, high mountain pass is frequently closed during winter/ski season, making it unreliable and impractical for accessing Valle Nevado.

  • Airlines: Aerolíneas Argentinas, LATAM, Sky Airline, Gol Linhas Aéreas, Copa Airlines. | Car Rental: Avis, Hertz, Localiza, Europcar, and others available.

  • Official Website: https://www.aa2000.com.ar/mendoza

  • Phone: +54 261 520-6000

  • Rating: Generally rated around 3.8/5 by travelers.

Conclusion:

While Eulogio Sánchez Airport (Tobalaba/SCTB) is geographically the closest airfield to Valle Nevado, it does not serve commercial flights. The closest major airport, and the one virtually all skiers and visitors fly into, is Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago. Mendoza (MDZ) is a distant and impractical alternative due to road distance, border crossings, and frequent mountain pass closures during the ski season. Therefore, SCL is the primary and recommended airport for travel to Valle Nevado.

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